You may find it surprising, but you can actually share many of your favorite foods with your dog for a healthy lifestyle. For instance, fruits and vegetables are actually good to give your dog. Generally speaking, it is a meat eater, but fruits and vegetables bring in a plethora of nutrients – mostly vitamins. The interesting thing is that many of these nutrients cannot be found in meat, hence the necessity of a little diversification in your dog’s diet. At this point, you probably ask yourself – can dogs eat pomegranate seeds?
Some fruit treats are excellent for your pet. Some others are a bit dangerous due to some of their components. Others are alright in small quantities, so your pet should only get it in dog treats. There are no doubts about it – pomegranate is not just tasty, but it is also rich in a plethora of vitamins. But is this fruit suitable for your pet? Simply put, dogs can eat the pomegranate fruit, but it can also be dangerous in high quantities. Therefore, it makes a good treat, but on an occasional basis. Here is everything you need to know about it.
Nutritional value of pomegranate seeds
The pomegranate extract or seeds will bring in plenty of nutrients. For instance, the fruit is rich in fiber. Most of the fiber is found in the white seeds, which tend to hide in those little balls of juice. Fiber is excellent for both dogs and people. It makes a good solution for a healthy digestion, especially if your furry friend is constipated.
Is your dog on a diet? Are you restricted to specific foods only? Do you need to measure or weigh each meal? There is not much to be concerned then, as pomegranate seeds are extremely low in calories. They will not add to your dog’s weight. An entire fruit of pomegranate will have just over 200 calories and your dog is less likely to have all of it anyway.
Antioxidants are not to be overlooked either. These are some of the things your dog cannot really get from meat. Pomegranate dog is rich in antioxidants, which protect the body against all kinds of affections caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are also great against inflammation. Even the peel has high amounts of it. Some of the most important antioxidants include tannins, anthocyanin and flavonoids. Vitmain C is also available in high amounts.
Potassium is another great nutrient found in pomegranate seeds.
Another great benefit of pomegranate seeds is the antimicrobial activity. Do not get this the wrong ways – pomegranates are not antibiotics. However, they can and will help against all kinds of infections, especially those caused by microbes. Thus, you could agree that having pomegranate dog on a regular basis may boost your dog’s immune system.
All in all, it looks like you can feed your dog pomegranate for a wide variety of benefits. But then, is this fruit perfectly safe for your pet? Are there any dangers associated with it?
Health risks associated with pomegranate seeds
Nothing is perfect when it comes to dogs and pomegranate seeds make no exception either. Some fruits or seeds could have toxicity effects over dogs. For instance, apples may cause some trouble, as well as cherries, among others. Pomegranate seeds are not that toxic. Unlike seeds from other fruits, they are relatively large, juicy and fleshy – dogs love them.
With all these, seeds are some of the most acidic parts in a pomegranate. This is when you need to use caution. Some acids are alright for dogs, but one of them can be a bit harmful – the punicic acid. It is not as bad as it sounds though, mostly because it is not the corrosive type. In fact, it also comes with a bunch of health benefits.
A regular consumption of punicic acid is great against obesity, but it can also prevent certain types of cancer. Since it is acidic and your pet has a very sensitive stomach (dogs have sensitive stomachs compared to people), your furry friend may experience some digestive problems. The same rule applies to the fiber, which is good in small amounts, but harmful in large amounts. Your pet may experience vomiting or tummy ache, as it cannot process seeds as effectively as you.
Tannins in pomegranate are also believed to cause digestive issues.
All in all, if you decide to feed your dog pomegranate, make sure you get rid of the peel. While the peel has lots of nutrients, it is relatively tough, so the digestion would be an issue. Your dog could choke, not to mention more severe problems like internal blockage. If your dog has the peel, some of the symptoms to look for include a low appetite, constipation and vomiting.
On a more practical note, pomegranate may not necessarily make the best idea for a treat when it comes to your pet. Seeds are small. You know all the juice is in there, so you chew them to enjoy the explosion of taste. Your dog has no clue about it, so many dogs may swallow them whole, without actually tasting them. If your dog tends to eat in a rush and barely swallows, you may want to try out other fruits as treats.
What to do if your dog has already had pomegranate
Pomegranate is a good fruit for dogs in small amounts, yet some dogs may not react the right way. If your dog has already had pomegranate seeds, you need to keep an eye on it for a while. Generally speaking, most dogs will not show any symptoms of sickness, yet the sensitive ones may experience some issues. There are also a few benefits to take in consideration.
The most common issue dogs could experience from having the fruit is stomach ache. Indeed, pomegranate seeds are quite acidic. Most fruits have a bit of acidity and this is not really your biggest issue. It also depends on how much your dog ate. If it barely had a few seeds after a proper meal, the acid will be absorbed in with no issues at all. If your pet had seeds on an empty stomach, it might experience a few issues.
If your dog’s body does not accept pomegranate seeds, your pet will vomit. If you notice diarrhea or vomiting, you need to ensure your dog keeps hydrated, so make sure you provide lots of water.
If nothing happens, it means your dog has a good digestive system and will react positively to pomegranate seeds. Make sure the fruit is out of their reach though, as too much of it can cause all those gastrointestinal problems. If there are pomegranates growing in your garden or your area, you need to ensure your dog does not have free access to them.
How much pomegranate to feed your dog
So, can dogs eat pomegranate seeds? Absolutely. Dogs will often react differently to specific foods and pomegranate seeds make no exception. Most dogs will love them. Most of them will have no side effects, yet there are also a few exceptions. At this point, you might ask yourself – how much pomegranate to feed your dog?
Generally speaking, your dog should not have more than one fruit at a time. This is the optimal amount for a healthy dog with no side effects. However, you can stick to less than that. The seeds from half a fruit are more than enough as a treat. You can also mix them in various recipes to keep your dog happy and more importantly, make sure your dog does not have them on an empty stomach.
It is important to know that not all dogs react the same to pomegranate seeds. Therefore, start with a small serving. A few seeds are more than enough for your dog to taste pomegranate. You can also mix them into your pet’s food. Observe any potential reactions over the next 12 to 24 hours. You can increase the serving size with time until you reach the optimal recommendation.
How often to feed your dog pomegranate
While your dog can have treats on a daily basis, pomegranates should not be given daily. They are acidic and they may have side effects, especially when given in large amounts. Therefore, stick to a serving per week. If your dog has shown symptoms at times, you can go for a serving every couple of weeks – better to be safe than sorry.
Pomegranate dog treat recipes
Your dog can have raw pomegranate seeds, but you can also come up with some homemade treats for a bit of diversity. Plus, other ingredients can reduce the acidity of the seeds, reducing the incidence of adverse reactions.
Get half a cup of oats, the seeds from one pomegranate and two eggs. Add all the ingredients in a blender and pulse them for a minute or two. You should get a pretty thick paste. If it is watery, add a bit of flour. Get the dough out and come up with a few different shapes – not more than a quarter of an inch in thickness. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the edges go brown. Make sure the cookies are cool before serving them to your pet.
You can also add a bit of tapioca flour instead of regular flour. Your dog will get most of the benefits from pomegranate seeds, while the other ingredients will clear the acidity. There is also a decent amount of protein in the eggs. Coconut oil and honey may also be added for some extra flavor. Dogs tend to go nuts for such treats. They are so tasty that you can try them out too – no sugar though.
Frequently asked questions
So, can dogs eat pomegranate seeds? Yes, they can. Just like other fruits, they do have a few potential side effects as well. Caution is critical when feeding your dog something new and different. All in all, if you are new to this, you probably have a few questions as well.
Could dogs eat pomegranate seeds?
Absolutely. Most dogs will show no side effects. Some dogs may have a sensitive stomach and experience some gastrointestinal issues, hence the necessity of caution and small servings in the beginning. Pomegranates are just like any other fruit for dogs – quite healthy, but also risky when fed in large amounts.
Can pomegranate seeds kill dogs?
Dogs with sensitive stomachs may experience vomiting and other similar issues. Pomegranates will go out the same way they went in. Your dog may feel a bit off for the day. If you are worried, simply take your pet to a vet. However, unless you feed your dog nothing but pomegranates, there is not much to worry about. The fruit is not acidic or problematic enough to kill a dog.
Are pomegranates healthy?
Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals – some of the nutrients cannot be taken from meat. The fruit is, indeed, healthy and beneficial for dogs, but not in heavy amounts. At that point, the side effects may outweigh the positive ones.
What fruit can dogs not eat?
Some fruits and vegetables are toxic to dogs and your pet should be kept away from them. They may like the taste, but their stomachs will react negatively. Grapes and raisins are to be avoided, as well as persimmon seeds. Cherries and acidic fruits like lemons and grapefruit may also cause stomach upset.
Final words
In the end, can dogs eat pomegranate seeds? It is up to you. If you have a healthy dog with a strong stomach, pomegranate seeds make great treats. Older dogs or puppies could also benefit from them but in smaller amounts. Make sure you start with a tiny serving and observe the reactions as you increase it to reach the optimal size.
While pomegranate seeds bring in a series of benefits, they may also cause a bunch of adverse reactions, so it is important to stay cautious.