Yes, dogs can eat pears. Pears are a great snack because they’re high in copper, vitamins C and K, and fiber. If you’re sharing pears with your dog, just be sure to cut the pear flesh into bite-size chunks and remove the pit and seeds first, as the seeds contain traces of cyanide.
Skip canned or jarred pears with sugary syrups, even the ones labeled “in their own juice.” You can also find pear dog treats with other functional ingredients like duck or salmon.
How many pears Can Dogs Eat?
Just because pears are safe for dogs to eat does not mean your dog should eat a lot of them on a regular basis. In moderation, pears are a healthy snack, full of vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber.
However, just like with any food you give your dog, too many pears could lead to an upset stomach. So how much is too much?
Veterinarians recommend limiting your dog’s treat consumption to 10 percent of their daily food intake.
For small dogs, this means that one slice of pear every now and then is plenty, while a whole pear is probably too much. When in doubt, ask your vet. Check out this list of fruits and vegetables that dogs can and can’t eat.
Can Eating Pears Be Dangerous for My Dog?
Share small amounts (a few slices) of fresh pear only occasionally. Pears, like many fruits, have a higher sugar content than most dog treats.
Too much sugar and fiber can cause digestive upset, not to mention weight gain. Be sure not to share pear stems, leaves, or seeds. The latter contain small amounts of toxic cyanide.
And don’t share pears if your dog is diabetic, as the sugar content is likely to spike their blood sugar. It’s recommended to stay away from canned pears, as well. They’re usually loaded with extra sugar, along with other ingredients dogs shouldn’t have.
Are Pears Good for Dogs?
Pears aren’t usually bad for dogs, but they’re not exactly great for them, either. While they aren’t toxic to dogs, they’re not necessarily a vital part of a dog’s balanced diet, says board-certified veterinary nutritionist Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVN, with Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital in Los Angeles.
“There’s just no real nutritional benefit to feeding pears as treats, other than it’s a fun way to share a snack with your pup,” Weeth tells Daily Paws.
Pears are, of course, delicious because they include sugar, so Weeth also recommends you steer clear of pears if your dog has diabetes. Check with your veterinarian if you’re ever concerned about how underlying medical conditions might guide your pet’s diet and treatment choices.
Always give your veterinarian or a poison hotline a ring if you think your pet has eaten something sketchy or is exhibiting signs of poisoning.
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.
Don’t Feed the Pear Seeds or Core
In general, you shouldn’t feed your dog any part of the pear that you wouldn’t eat. So, you should only feed your dog the skin and flesh from ripe pears. The pear seeds and pear core can be dangerous for your dog to eat.
Not only do these parts of the pear present a choking hazard, but pear seeds also contain trace amounts of cyanide. It could be very dangerous for your dog’s health if they eat large amounts of pear seeds. You should also avoid giving your dog a whole pear because they might eat the entire thing seeds and all.
How to Feed Your Dog Pears Safely
Before you feed any pears to your pup, make sure to remove the stem, leaves, core, and seeds. Any of these could become a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage. Plus, the seeds, stem, and leaves of pear all contain trace amounts of cyanide and should never be eaten, just like apple seeds. Dogs are fine to eat the pear skin if thoroughly washed, and you should cut the pear into bite-sized pieces.
If you’re looking for fun ways to feed pears to your dog, here are some vet-approved methods:
1. Use pears as a food topper
You can add a few pieces of chopped pears or mashed pears on top of your dog’s regular food.
2. Blend a pear fruit smoothie
Blend up some pear pieces with other dog-safe fruits like bananas, blueberries, strawberries, apples, or peaches. You can use this as a special treat in a bowl or as a food topper. Make sure to serve your dog no more than 2 tablespoons of smoothie per 10 pounds of dog.
3. Make pear yogurt or frozen yogurt
Mash up some pear pieces and mix them with plain, sugar-free, xylitol-free yogurt. You can also mix in some of the other dog-safe fruits mentioned above and feed them to your pup as a cold treat in a bowl.
Freezing the fruit pieces the night before and blending the frozen fruit with the plain yogurt also makes a dog-friendly frozen yogurt.
4. Stuff a KONG toy
You can stuff any of the mixtures above in your dog’s KONG toy as a cold treat or freeze it for a refreshing frozen snack later. (Pro tip: Frozen treats are also helpful in keeping your pup busy and mentally stimulated!).
