Amidst a landscape where pets often grapple with obesity and excess weight, opting for fresh fruits and vegetables over calorie-laden dog treats can offer a healthier alternative. However, the question arises: Can dogs safely consume pears?
Discrepancies frequently emerge between foods deemed nutritious for pet owners but potentially hazardous for dogs. Grapes, raisins, chocolate, and macadamia nuts serve as prime examples of items that pose risks. Nevertheless, pears are deemed safe for canine consumption, with the caveat of avoiding ingestion of the core and limiting intake to a small amount.
Here’s further insight from a pair of veterinarians regarding the suitability of indulging dogs with the luscious fruit.
Can Dogs Have Pears?
Dogs can consume pears safely. When consumed properly, pears pose minimal harm to dogs, according to Renee Schmid, DVM, DABVT, DABT, a veterinarian toxicologist associated with Pet Poison Helpline. The primary concern regarding pears lies in their core. Unlike avocados, pears lack a large, hard pit but contain a tougher, fibrous center where seeds are situated, which should not be given to dogs. Schmid cautions that swallowing the core whole can lead to foreign body obstruction or intestinal blockage. However, outside of the core, dogs can enjoy various types of pears commonly found in grocery stores such as Bartlett pears, as well as Korean or Asian varieties, without any worries of toxicity or poisoning, similar to other human foods safe for canine consumption.
Are Pears Good for Dogs?
Pears are generally considered safe for dogs, though they don’t offer significant nutritional benefits. According to Dr. Lisa Weeth, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital in Los Angeles, while pears aren’t harmful to dogs, they aren’t essential to their balanced diet either.
Dr. Weeth emphasizes that feeding pears to dogs is mainly for enjoyment rather than nutritional value. However, it’s important to avoid feeding pears to dogs with diabetes due to their sugar content. If you’re unsure about how your dog’s medical conditions might impact their diet, it’s best to consult your veterinarian. In case of any concerns about potential poisoning or if your pet consumes something questionable, contacting your veterinarian or a poison hotline is advisable.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Pears?
Canned pears, in syrup or water, are nontoxic to dogs. But sugary syrup may add calories a dog doesn’t need and can give your dog a case of gastrointestinal upset. Steer your dog toward the fresh pears, but don’t panic about giving your dog a slice or two of canned pear.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Pears
Thinking of adding pears to your dog’s menu? It’s important to follow Schmid and Weeth’s advice to ensure safe consumption. Start by removing the core, particularly in larger pears as it poses a greater risk of obstruction. Additionally, the ripeness of the pear affects the softness of the core, which can be easier for dogs to break down in comparison to less ripe pears.
To minimize the risk of digestive issues, it’s recommended to peel, remove the stem, core with seeds, and cut the pear into small pieces before offering it to your dog. This precaution helps prevent choking, especially for dogs prone to quickly consuming large snacks. While pears are generally safe, it’s essential to consider your dog’s individual health needs, such as avoiding high-fat foods for those with pancreatitis.
Weeth advises that if the food is non-toxic and doesn’t pose a challenge to your dog’s health, it should be safe for consumption. Nonetheless, it’s advisable that treats, including pears, should constitute no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily caloric intake, as recommended by Weeth and many other veterinarians.
