So, can dogs eat pomegranate? Dogs and pomegranates don’t get along very well. Professionals can measure out and cook the fruit into high-quality dog food, which is fine for dogs. But if your dog grabs a raw pomegranate off the counter and eats the whole thing, seeds and all, you’ll have to clean up vomit and diarrhoea.
There are multiple web articles talking about pomegranates’ health benefits, but many of them are about people and not dogs. Let’s look at the subject in more depth.
So, can dogs eat pomegranate?
So, can dogs eat pomegranates? Don’t give raw pomegranate to your dog. The experts say that pomegranates come from the plant family Lythraceae, which is not dangerous for dogs. Still, if your dog eats the superfruit, it might make its stomach upset.
Like citrus fruits, pomegranates are in season in North America from October to February. This means that they are often used in table settings and recipes. It is known for its juicy seeds and for being a superfruit. It has a lot of fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
Related: CAN DOGS EAT OLIVES?
Are Pomegranates Good for Dogs?
Pomegranates are not poisonous to dogs, so don’t worry if your dog is quick to eat dropped food scraps. You shouldn’t feed your dog any of this ancient Middle Eastern fruit since it contains toxins that can make them sick.
The skin and membrane of pomegranates contain small amounts of cyanide, which could be harmful to dogs if they eat a lot of them. But it’s not likely that your dog would eat enough to have any bad effects.
If your pet dog eats too much of the skin or membrane of a pomegranate, it may have stomach problems like an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhoea. They could also have stomach pain, bloating, or clogged intestines.
In severe cases, tannins, complex chemicals made from phenolic acids in the skin and membrane of pomegranates, can also damage the liver. This is important regarding whether can dogs eat pomegranite.
Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate Seeds?
People know pomegranates for their tiny, juicy, ruby-coloured arils or seeds. Moreover, people sometimes call these the seeds of pomegranate. But the real seeds of the fruit are inside these sweet-tasting spheres. Thus, people, birds, and other herbivores can eat and digest pomegranate arils in their entirety without any problems. Not dogs.
The seeds themselves can be dangerous for dogs, so you should take them out before giving your dog the juicy arils. If you buy pomegranate treats for your dog, check the ingredients list to ensure the seeds have been taken out.
So, just to be sure: Dogs shouldn’t eat the seeds of a pomegranate, but they can eat the arils, which are the fleshy parts that hold the seeds. Trying to separate the two is probably more trouble than it’s worth, but dogs can occasionally enjoy the juicy bits of pomegranate arils. So, pomegranate dogs are not a bad combination too.
Pomegranates are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that can help support a dog’s immune system, joint health, and skin and coat health. The arils are low in calories and a good source of fibre and protein. This is important when knowing can my dog eat pomegranate.
But if that annoying pomegranate rolls across the floor and your dog bites into a few arils, seeds and all, it probably won’t hurt them. Still, some dogs might have an allergy to pomegranate. If your dog starts to itch, turn red, swell up, or show any other signs of an allergic reaction, stop giving them pomegranates and talk to your vet.
Is Pomegranate Fatal For Dogs?
So, can dog eat pomegranate? Pomegranate seeds are not technically bad for dogs like some other foods are. If your dog ate this fruit, it is unlikely that his organs would fail or that he would die. If you eat too many raisins or grapes, your kidneys could fail.
On the other hand, pomegranates only cause stomach problems most of the time. Your dog will likely throw up on its own after eating the pomegranate.
Like acorns, pomegranate seeds contain tannins, making dogs sick to their stomachs and making them throw up or have diarrhoea. Pomegranate peels can also cause choking, so if you’re making a beauty-boosting smoothie with pomegranate and banana, throw away the peels right away.
FAQs: Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate
Can Dogs Eat Raw pomegranate?
Pomegranates are not good for dogs to eat. Even though pomegranates are not dangerous for dogs, they can still make them sick. Your dog is safe to eat small amounts of raw pomegranate, but it can cause stomach upset or GI distress if it eats the whole pomegranate.
Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate Skin
Pomegranates can be good for dogs but also bad for them if they eat them. Your dogs should not eat pomegranate skins/peels. Even though they are used to make extracts, they contain tannins that make your stomach upset.
Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate Flowers?
Pomegranates are not good for dogs to eat. Even though pomegranates are not dangerous for dogs, they can still make them sick. Your dog is safe to eat small amounts of raw pomegranate, but it can cause stomach upset or GI distress if it eats the whole pomegranate.
Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate Ice Cream
Yes, it is safe to eat pomegranate ice cream in small amounts.
Parvaiz Yousuf is a senior SEO writer and editor with an experience of over 6 years, who also doubles up as a researcher. With an MSc zoology degree under his belt and possessing complete Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge, he works as a science journalist for a US-based website and Asian Scientist (A Singapore-based magazine). He also works as Director of Wetland Research Centre, Wildlife Conservation Fund YPJK since 2018. Besides, he has several publications to his name on cancer biology and biochemistry in some reputed journals such as Nature & International Journal of Molecular Sciences, & magazines such as Science Reporter, BUCEROS BNHS, and has an abiding interest in ornithology. He also worked as a Research Associate for JK Policy Institute.
