Can dogs eat pomegranate? Plenty of dog treats on the market today, billed as healthy, contain pomegranate. So, it’s natural to wonder if you can share your raw pomegranate with your canine friend. But is this fruit safe for dogs?
The short answer is yes, raw pomegranate fruit is safe for dogs but in very minimal quantities. It’s loaded with nutritional benefits, which is why we often see it as a healthy addition to both human and dog treats. But the raw fruit does contain a compound that can cause stomach upset, in some dogs.
As always, run dietary additions for your dog by your veterinarian for facts you can trust. Here’s what you should know about the complicated nature of pomegranate in various forms, and why, ultimately, it’s still okay for dogs with strict moderation.
How Is Pomegranate Good For Dogs?
For humans, pomegranate is considered a superfruit. It’s loaded with immune-boosting antioxidants that are immensely beneficial, and this benefit does carry over to our dogs.
Nothing about the pomegranate is toxic or particularly harmful, which is rare in exotic fruits. It’s reported that a dog could even eat an entire pomegranate, skin and all, and likely be okay; though, we don’t advise testing the theory.
Still, it does help to put one’s mind at ease when keeping pomegranates around the house.
If you’ve never had a pomegranate, the fruit is in little capsules around the seeds, so it’s a little odd that it’s okay for dogs to eat. Seeds, in general, are a no-no for dogs. But these are meant to be consumed, by both humans and animals alike.
Now, whether or not your dog will enjoy the taste of pomegranate is another story. But if they do, just a couple of seeds provide your dog with a significant dose of fiber, potassium, folic acid, and vitamin C.
How Can I Safely Give Pomegranate To My Dog?
Here’s the issue with pomegranate — tannins. Or, at least, this is what is believed to be the issue when dogs end up with stomach upset from eating pomegranate. And there is no way to give your dog pomegranate without the tannins.
If tannins are something your dog has been sensitive to in the past, then we recommend steering clear of pomegranate. Also, your veterinarian can give you greater insight into how tannins might affect other health issues your dog may have.
Safe or not, some dogs just need to steer clear.
Testing pomegranate with your dog shouldn’t be an issue. Just crack open a pomegranate and offer them a few of the fruity seeds inside. If they like it, keep an eye on them for a few hours for stomach upset.
And, luckily, even if the raw seeds do cause stomach upset, there are plenty of tannin-reduced extracts available to be baked into dog treats. Your dog doesn’t have to miss out on the benefits!
Have you tried raw pomegranate with your dog? Have you used the fruit to make any fun dog treats? Let us know in the comments below.
