Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate?

The juicy red pomegranate seeds offer multiple health benefits for humans. Pomegranates are packed with essential nutrients which can help fight off inflammations and infections, fight off chronic diseases, prevent cancer, benefit the heart, support the urinary tract health, and improve brain health and exercise endurance.

But are these delicious fruits good for your dogs too?

If you wonder if dogs eat pomegranate safely and if there are benefits for the canines from this super fruit, read on.

Potential Benefits for the Dog’s Health From Pomegranates

As mentioned at the beginning, pomegranates are packed with healthy nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are essential and carry benefits for the well-being of humans, as well as for dogs.

Pomegranates have been cultivated and consumed by the people in the Middle East and the Mediterranean for centuries. They have been preferred due to their taste and their health benefits.

Some of the nutrients in the pomegranate seeds include:

Vitamin C – this is an essential vitamin and antioxidant that helps fight the free radicals in the cells and thus helps prevent cancer and age-related health problems. It helps slow down the decline in the brain’s cognitive function as the dog ages too.

Vitamin B9 (Folate) – this vitamin helps the production of blood, boosts the immune system, and regulates healthy tissue growth. It is essential for human and for dog health. In fact, vitamin B9 deficiency in canines can lead to the inability to absorb vital nutrients.

Vitamin K – is another essential nutrient for both humans and dogs. It helps promote proper clotting and thus reduces the risk of blood loss and hemorrhaging in case of injury, surgery, or other. Most of the vitamin K in the human and canine organisms is synthesized via food, so you should always feed your pup a healthy and balanced diet.

Fiber – pomegranates are rich in fiber. It helps the digestive systems of humans and dogs to break down and process the foods properly. Although dogs can benefit from adding veggies and fruits to their diets, you should make sure to regulate the quantity of insoluble fiber you feed your dog.

Can the Dog be Harmed by Eating Pomegranates?

The short answer to this question is – yes. While it is safe for canines to eat the juice and flesh of the pomegranates, eating too many of the seeds or peels of these fruits can cause severe gastric upsets in pups.
There is no definite scientific answer about what causes such problems, but our guess is that there is too much insoluble fiber or tannin in the seeds and peels of the pomegranates.

The good news is that overeating with pomegranate is not so dangerous for the dog, so don’t go rushing to the emergency vet clinic. But you can expect your pup to experience some vomiting and diarrhea in the next couple of days.

So, it is advisable to control the number of pomegranates that your dog eats. And if you want to add them to your pup’s diet, you should add only a small amount from time to time.

Getting Your Pup to Eat the Pomegranates

Yes, pomegranates are superfoods packed with healthy nutrients, but there is no need to try pushing them on your pup if it doesn’t want to eat them. You can replace the pomegranate with other fruits that the dog likes better.

Still, there are different ways to feed your dog with some healthy pomegranates. You can read on to find out the best five ways to do it.

Are the seeds of the pomegranate seeds poisonous to dogs?

As mentioned above, the seeds are not technically poisonous to dogs. But overeating seeds and peels can cause digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea in some dogs.

One potentially dangerous risk of eating a lot of pomegranate seeds at once is the risk of a bowel obstruction which can lead to severe problems and may need surgical intervention in severe cases.

Can I Give My Pup Pomegranate Juice?

If you want to ensure that your dog gets a boost of the healthy vitamins and minerals from the pomegranate but without the risk of digestive problems and of eventual bowel obstruction from eating too many seeds and peels, then pomegranate juice is an excellent choice.

But keep in mind that pomegranate juice, especially commercially available juice, is packed with sugars. These are bad for dogs, especially for those with diabetes and for overweight pups. So, if you are determined to treat your dog with some pomegranate juice, make sure you do it rarely. And give it to the dog in small quantities to prevent the consumption of too much sugar.

Can the Dog Eat the Skin of the Pomegranate?

You should not allow your pup to eat the pomegranate fruit’s skin. The skin and the seeds are the parts that are potentially bad and can be dangerous for dogs, especially when consumed in large quantities. The reason is that the skin of this fruit is particularly thick. When eaten in large quantities, it can cause a potentially dangerous and even life-threatening intestinal blockage or can be a choking hazard for dogs.

So, if you are planning on giving your pup some pomegranate, remove the skin first and feed it with the juice or with a few of the arils only.

The Best Ways to Incorporate Pomegranate into the Diet of Your Pup

If, for some reason, you are determined to add pomegranate to your dog’s diet, first make sure that it reacts well to the fruit. Then you can feed it with small quantities of pomegranate from time to time.

Here are the best ways and forms to add the pomegranate to the dog’s diet:

As juice

Pomegranate juice without added sugar and in small quantities can be beneficial for canines. It can help resolve constipation problems in dogs. To add the juice to the food, just mix some into the dog’s food or kibble.

Avoid giving your dog pomegranate or any other fruit juice too often and in significant amounts. If your pup is diabetic or overweight, always speak to your vet or dog nutritionist before feeding it with pomegranate or other fruit juice.

Blended

You can blend some pomegranate arils into a smoothie, which is good for you and for the dog. You can mix the pomegranate with other dog-friendly fruits and ingredients, such as apples, apricots, bananas, blueberries, and some yogurt. But again, feed your pup with fruit-based smoothies in moderation to avoid weight gain and prevent blood sugar spikes and problems.

Frozen

Most dogs absolutely love frozen treats, especially on the hot summer days. Making frozen dog-friendly treats is easy and quick. You can make a yummy and healthy dog popsicle for your pup with different types of fresh fruit, including pomegranate. Just pick a dog-friendly fruit, blend it, and pop it in the freezer in a cup or another container, and you are ready.

Sprinkled as a topper

If your dog likes eating this fruit, then you can sprinkle some arils on top of its regular kibble or wet dog food. This will allow you to control the exact amount of arils you feed it. This can help prevent the possible side effects of consuming too many pomegranate seeds or peels.

By itself – as is

If your pup loves pomegranates, then the easiest way to treat it with some is to give it a handful from time to time.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?

FAQs About Pomegranates and Dogs

Can Eating Pomegranates Kill My Dog?

In the majority of cases, the answer is no. Eating pomegranate seeds in limited quantities and not too often cannot kill and will not harm your dog. The potential danger for the canines comes from overeating and consuming too many seeds and peels which are hard to swallow or digest. This can lead to life-threatening choking or bowel obstruction in some pups. This is why you should track how much pomegranate your dog eats, and if it happens to overeat or consume whole fruits, then keep an eye for any worrying symptoms and contact your vet if you notice any.

Can I Give My Dog Some Pomegranate Juice?

Yes, you can give your pup some fresh pomegranate juice occasionally and in minimal quantities. All fruit juices are high in sugars, which can be harmful to dogs, especially those which are overweight or have diabetes. Too much juice can also cause digestive upsets such as vomiting and diarrhea in some dogs. So, you can add some pomegranate juice to the food or water of your pup occasionally and in moderation.

Final verdict – Can and Should Dogs Eat Pomegranates?

Unlike some other fruits, it is doubtful that your dog will be interested in eating pomegranates. But if it does, or if you want to add some healthy fresh fruit into the dog’s diet, you can feel free to give it some occasionally.

Start off with a tiny amount and watch for any gastrointestinal reactions and problems. If the dog is ok, you can continue adding some pomegranate arils, juice, smoothies, or frozen treats to its diet.

Never give the dog the outer peel of the fruit. Monitor the quantities of pomegranate it eats to avoid digestive problems, problems with the blood sugar levels, and the weight of the dog, and prevent the risks of bowel obstruction and choking.

Does your dog like pomegranates? And how do you incorporate it into its diet? We would love to hear about your experience with this healthy fruit and your pup.