Can Dogs Eat Pears? Everything You Need to Know

Yes, dogs can eat pears in moderation. It is packed with nutrients, and dogs love pears. Still, set a limit to the number of pears you feed your dog as the fruit is rich in sugar. 

What Are Pears?

Pears are a type of fruit that grows on trees and is produced in the Northern Hemisphere from late summer to early October. The pear tree and shrub belong to the genus Pyrus, which belongs to the Rosaceae family and bears the same-named pomaceous fruit. 

Pears have been grown in cool, temperate climes since ancient times, and indications of their use as a food date back to prehistoric times. Prehistoric pile homes near Lake Zurich have yielded numerous traces. Pears have been grown in China since 2000 BC. Ibn al-‘Awwam’s 12th-century agricultural classic, Book of Agriculture, mentions an essay on pear tree production in Spain.

Are Pears Safe for Dogs?

Pears are safe for dogs to consume. However, it is suggested not to offer a few parts of pears to dogs. 

Pear seeds: Pear seeds have toxic cyanide, which is harmful to dogs. Hence, it would be best if you avoided it. Apart from the presence of cyanide, seeds can also choke your dog. 

Pear stems: Pear stems can cause choking hazards in your dog, which is why it is best to avoid feeding them pear stems. 

Pear leaves: Pear leaves are hard to digest. Hence, dogs shouldn’t be offered pear leaves. Hence, it would be best if you didn’t offer pear leaves. 

To ensure a healthy lifestyle, avoid feeding pears if your dog has a sensitive stomach, diabetes, or suffers from obesity.

Why Are Pears Good for Dogs?

Pears are packed with beneficial nutrients. They are also low in calories, making them a healthy snack for your dog!

Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps your dog’s vision, skin and heals wounds easily. It also aids in bone growth, reproduction, and the overall immune system. 

Vitamin C: Vitamin C serves as a powerful antioxidant. It can help prevent inflammation and cognitive aging by scavenging damaging free radicals in the body. Although dogs’ livers can generate vitamin C on their own, supplementation may provide health benefits in some situations.

Vitamin K: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble substance required to create coagulation proteins necessary for clotting blood. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), which is generated in plants and can be ingested through food or supplements, is the most common dietary source of Vitamin K.

Fiber: Fiber is an excellent source of nutrients for a dog’s digestive system. The healthy bacteria usually found in your dog’s colon digest fiber into fatty acids. This fatty acid then aids in the recovery of the colon by preventing the expansion of any harmful bacteria.

Copper: Copper is necessary for producing bones, tendons and ligaments, collagen, and myelin in dogs. Copper also aids in absorbing iron, making it an essential component of red blood cell activity.

Potassium: Potassium is an electrolyte essential for your dog’s health. Potassium helps electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles work correctly. If your dog lacks this  vital mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued, which is not normal, or that they have no desire to eat.

Anthocyanins: Anthocyanins possess anti-inflammatory characteristics, and research is being made into their involvement in tumor inhibition, diabetic treatment, and ulcer treatment. Antiviral and antimicrobial activities are also present in anthocyanins.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Lutein and zeaxanthin help protect eyes from blue light, improve night vision, and improve fine detail vision. Cataracts and degenerative issues are prevented. In each scoop, pets get the vital chemicals they need to support their eyesight with active lutein and zeaxanthin.

Folate:  Folate plays a role in average blood production, immunological function, cell division, and tissue growth, to name a few things.

Antioxidants: Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of a wide range of complex health conditions in animals, are neutralized by antioxidants. Antioxidant intake may help with any chronic autoimmune illness.

Why Are Pears Bad for Dogs?

Although pears have nutritional benefits to offer your dog, it also has some downsides, which must be kept in mind while feeding them to your dog!

Sugar: Pears are loaded with sugar, which can be dangerous to your dog as it can trigger:

• Obesity
• Weight gain
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular issues
• Hyperactivity
• Hypertension

Cyanide: Cyanide toxicity can be deadly in a few minutes. Symptoms of cyanide toxicity are:

• High salivation
• Difficulty breathing
• Convulsions
• Paralysis

Unripe pears: Unripe and green pears are difficult to chew. They can cause a choking hazard to dogs resulting in:

• Throat bleeding
• Mouth bleeding
• Intestinal rupture
• Intestinal infection

How Much Pears to Feed Your Dog?

According to veterinarians, treats should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily meal intake. This suggests that one slice of pear every two weeks is sufficient for small dogs. Likewise, one piece per week is adequate for medium to large dogs.

How to Serve Pears to Your Dog?

First, you need to wash the ripened pears properly to remove all the dirt. Then, slice it into bite-sized portions and feed your dog as per his diet. Or, you may grate a small amount of the pear and sprinkle it over the dog kibble.

• Add pears as a subtle sweetener in homemade dog treats. You can also bake the fruit and add it to the treats.
• To prepare a dog-friendly frozen fruit salad, you can add frozen pear chunks, mangoes, cantaloupes, and raspberries.
• Prepare a smoothie by mixing pears, yogurt, and a pinch of cinnamon.

You may also make a dog-friendly pears recipe for your dog. The recipe is given below:

Ingredient

• 1 jar of baby food, 4 oz
• A cup of flour

Process

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Combine one cup of flour and one jar of baby food in a large mixing basin. Stir well.
• On a floured board, roll out your dough and cut it out to place on a cookie sheet.
• Bake for 24 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned, and the tops are cooked through.

When the cookies are done, please turn off the oven. Cool them inside the oven to remove excess moisture for an extra-crisp cookie.

What If My Dog Ate Pears?

If your dog accidentally consumes ripened, fresh pears, it will not concern his health much. Instead, provide your dog with enough water to reduce the uneasiness. Contrarily, if your dog consumes unripe, moldy, rotten pears, check if your dog has choked, suffered diarrhea, or vomiting. Then, take him to the vet to rule out the issue. Otherwise, it may disrupt your dog’s organs. 

If your dog consumes seeds and leaves, immediately take your dog to the vet. Seeds and leaves contain cyanide which can be fatal to dogs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat canned pears?

No. Dogs cannot eat canned pears containing corn syrup, xylitol, and preservatives. These may even be the reason behind your dog’s death. 

Can puppies eat pears?

Yes. Puppies can eat small pieces of pears occasionally. However, ensure you serve puppies the pulp of fresh, ripe pears and not the fruit’s skin as it is lethal

Can dogs eat fermented pears?

No. Dogs should not eat fermented pears or any fermented fruit. This is because it gets converted to alcohol and poisons your pet, leading to death.

Final Thoughts

Summing up the article, we can see that dogs can eat a slice of fresh and ripe pears once a week or two. Pears can be very beneficial to dogs as they have vitamins and minerals. However, as a pet owner, you must also remember that pears are high in sugar, affecting the dog’s gut. You must also not offer pear stems, seeds, and leaves, as they pose a choking risk, also may be fatal to the dog due to the cyanide presence. Always consult your vet before introducing new fruits to your dog.