Can Dogs Eat Pears?

Pears are a delicious, juicy, and healthy treat that you absolutely love. However, you're wondering if they're good for your dog. If they are, you want them to benefit from the nutrients that pears have just like you do.

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By learning about feeding pears to dogs, you can figure out if it's OK for them to have a bite of your next snack.

Pears originated in Asian countries, according to Hindawi. In 5,000 B.C., Feng Li, who was a Chinese diplomat started grafting pears and other fruits as his new business, according to USA Pears. Pears appear in Homer's "The Odyssey," and they were often painted into works of art by Renaissance-era artists. The early colonists took pears trees to the eastern settlements in the United States, and in the 1800's, pioneers planted them on the west coast, in Oregon and Washington. Today, Washington and Oregon export around 35% of their fresh pear crop to over 50 different countries.

​Yes. Pears are one of the types of fruit that your dog can eat​. According to the American Kennel Club, pears are rich in vitamins and minerals. A pear is not going to be a suitable meal for your dog, but it does make a healthy snack or treat.

There are many health benefits when it comes to feeding pears to your pup. Dates are high in Vitamin C and K, fiber, and copper. A typical medium-sized pair contains 101 calories, 1 gram of protein, 6 grams of fiber, 12% of the daily value (DV) of Vitamin C, 6% of the DV of Vitamin K, and 16% of the DV for copper, according to Heathline. Fiber can help your dog's digestive system, copper helps when it comes to the formation of collagen, bones, and connective tissues, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can reduce inflammation, and Vitamin K can activate your pup's blood's ability to clot, according to American Kennel Club.

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Pears should always be a snack for your dog and not their entire meal. ​You must remove the stem, core, and seeds before feeding your dog a pear​ because they are a choking hazard, they are difficult for your dog to pass, and they contain cyanide, which is toxic to your dog. Cut the pears into bite-sized bits and do not feed your dogs canned pears in syrup because they're full of sugar.

There are some health concerns with feeding your dog pears, including the following:

​They contain cyanide​

Cyanide can be found in the seeds and cause health issues in your dog, which is why it's very important to remove them before giving a pear to your pup.

​They could be a choking hazard​

If you have a small dog, you need to cut up the pear into very small bites. Otherwise, it could end up being a choking hazard. Your dog could also choke on the seeds so it's critical to take them out.

​They have high fiber​

If you feed your dog too much fiber, then your dog might get diarrhea or have other stomach issues, so it's best to give pears to your dog in moderation.

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​Pears are a perfectly healthy snack for your pup as long as you give them pears as snacks, you remove the stem, core, and seeds, you cut them up into small bites, and you don't give them too many at once.​

If you want to learn about other foods that are safe for your dog to consume, check out our list of everything your dog can and cannot eat.