Have you heard about a fruit that is an “apple with a grenade?”
Well, a fruit like no other, pomegranate doesn’t give an explosion nor terrific experience, but it has a sweet taste that explodes beyond your taste buds.
Today, pomegranate has been part of many desserts and dishes, such as jams, juices, and salads.
This fruit gained fame from different areas in the world, including the Middle East and Asia.
Because of the fruit’s ubiquity, pomegranate brings another level of health benefits that are good for your body.
However, does it apply the same with your dogs? For example, can your dogs eat pomegranate?
Perhaps, you’re intrigued by the questions. You’re not alone.
To reveal our answers, we designed this article to understand the benefits and effects of pomegranate on our dog’s health, how it can develop possible concerns, and the best and safe ways to have it prepared for feeding!
What is Pomegranate?
Pomegranate is a fruit that grows in the Middle East and Asia but is now grown worldwide.
It has a sweet taste that some compare to cranberries or cherries with tiny seeds inside of it.
A pomegranate’s characteristics can be described as sweet and sour. When it ripens, the color turns into a bright red.
That is why it has been associated with victory in many cultures.
Alongside, the fruit has been used for both human consumption as well as medical purposes.
It is also considered a symbol of fertility in many cultures around the world. But in the kitchen, pomegranate is commonly used as a sauce or salad dressing.
It has been estimated that there are about 100 pomegranates in every fruit because each one contains around 600 seeds that can be used to produce high amounts of oil.
It was even found out that the seeds were used in ancient Persia, Egypt, and Greece.
Food family of pomegranate
Pomegranate is part of the food family of “Rosaceae,” which comprises apples, pear, and strawberries.
This food family shares a common characteristic: the seeds are inside a fleshy fruit.
It has been seen that there are similar nutritional contents in all members of this food family-like vitamin C (ascorbic acid), fibers, and even some minerals.
In this case, pomegranate has many health benefits to humans, including anti-cancer properties, lowering blood pressure levels, helping cure heart disease, and preventing diabetes.
It’s also known for its antioxidant effects on the body, which slows down the aging of cells.
In the Middle East, pomegranate has been used for cooking “murabba,” a Persian preserve made from whole or pieces of fruits boiled with sugar until they become soft and jam-like.
It can also be made into a paste or juice. In the United States, pomegranate is used in sweet and savory foods like salads because of its unique flavor.
It can also be added to other fruits like apples since it gives them a different texture plus tartness that makes it delicious.
It sounds like this fruit makes us drool even more. But, can you offer this to your dog for feeding?
Can dogs eat pomegranates?
Yes, of course! Dogs can eat a pomegranate, and we recommend it as part of your dog’s healthy diet.
As earlier mentioned, this fruit has lots of nutrients that can benefit dogs.
But just like us, you need to be careful with the seeds because they are potentially dangerous for our canine friends.
Seeds are poisonous if ingested by your dog, so it’s best not to give them any chance to eat this fruit at all.
You also need to avoid feeding your pet with the skin and leaves of the pomegranate because they contain toxins that can harm them.
What are the other things to consider? The following section will teach you the best ways to feed your dogs with pomegranate if you have no ideas.
Best Ways to Feed your Dogs with Pomegranate
Make a pomegranate shake.
Pomegranate is best used in making shakes, smoothies, popsicles, and even ice cream.
This fruit gives any food a tangy twist that your dog will surely love to taste.
You only have to ensure that you’ll mix this crushed fruit with natural ingredients and sweeteners, such as honey or sugar.
Mix Pomegranate into your dog’s food
You can also mix pomegranate with other types of fruits and vegetables for a complete meal.
You’ll be surprised how this fruit adds interest to your pet’s usual foods.
If you don’t want any changes, you can always serve puree instead by mixing the fruit with water and pressing it through a sieve.
Add Pomegranates to Biscuits or Cookies
If you want another idea on serving this fruit to dogs, you may add small pomegranate bits in some biscuits or cookies that you usually do them.
This will add a new color and texture to their usual food, which they’ll surely love!
Add it to their meals.
Another way for you to feed pomegranate to dogs is by adding its pieces or juice into their regular meal.
It’s best used as toppings, especially on top of the kibble or canned food, but you need to avoid the seeds if your dog still ingests them.
Additionally, you can also feed this fruit after your dog takes lunch or dinner.
Reasons Why Dogs Can Eat Pomegranate
We mentioned earlier that pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits on Earth. So that’s a green flag right there.
With all due reasons, this section further elaborates more why dogs can eat pomegranate:
Pomegranate is an appetizer.
If you’re looking for an appetizer, then pomegranate is your to-go fruit. It can be used by adding pieces to your dog’s food or feeding it separately.
Plus, the tangy taste of this fruit is something you’ll surely love to give to your pet!
Pomegranate helps with weight loss.
Too much fat will put dogs at risk for obesity and other health problems like diabetes, making it hard for them to move correctly.
Feeding your dog with pomegranate helps in losing weight and maintaining a healthy body condition.
Pomegranate has Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is good for boosting your dog’s immune system, which means that it can strengthen their defense from illnesses and allergies.
This also prevents infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi plus gives healthy skin.
Pomegranate offers antioxidant benefits for dogs with cancer and heart disease.
Pomegranate has anti-inflammatory properties that benefit your dog’s joint health. Plus, it also relieves pain from arthritis or any other related conditions due to its high levels of vitamin A.
It can even help with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and tumors.
Pomegranate provides natural detoxification.
Dogs are constantly exposed to chemicals in our everyday lives. It may come from cleaning products or even the food that they eat every day.
Feeding your pet with pomegranate makes it easier for them to get rid of all these toxins and chemicals that may cause health problems in the long run.
Possible Concerns When Eating Pomegranate
Your dog may enjoy eating this food in the long run. However, in time, your dog may also develop health hazards you have to look after.
Below are some possible concerns when your dog eats pomegranate:
Pomegranate seeds may cause choking.
First, you have to watch out for your dog’s reaction when giving them a whole pomegranate. The seed is considered an obstruction which can be dangerous, especially if swallowed by your pet at once without chewing it well enough.
This could lead to vomiting and even diarrhea, but it still has potential hazards which may lead to death.
Pomegranate can cause stomach upset if given in excess.
Yes, pomegranate indeed has health benefits for your dog, but too much of it will not be good either.
Consuming more than what is needed by the body causes trouble inside, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
Pomegranate may increase the risk of bladder stones in dogs.
Most of us are aware that pomegranates have high levels of oxalic acid, which is linked to increased risk for the development of certain types of bladder stones.
This means your dog will suffer from pain and discomfort if this condition arises, but it can be prevented by limiting pomegranate intake.
Signs your dog is sick from eating pomegranate
Dogs don’t speak about what they are internally feeling. Instead, they communicate through their actions, which helps us figure out their emotions and health status.
So, when your dog may feel weak or have similar symptoms as stated below, they may be suffering from sickness:
Excessive vomiting
Your dog may vomit more than three times or even up to six hours after eating pomegranate.
Vomiting is the body’s way of getting rid of harmful substances that may cause sickness inside, so make sure you look out for this sign in case your dog overeats pomegranate.
Diarrhea
When your dog has diarrhea, this is the body’s way of expelling what it doesn’t need.
But if this condition persists, your dog may be suffering from an illness and needs medical attention right away.
Lethargy or fatigue
If you feel that your pet shows less energy than usual, then they might not be feeling well at all.
Lethargy or fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in dogs that are sick. It means they don’t have enough energy to play and move around, affecting their quality of life.
Pale Gums
If your dog’s gums appear pale in color, then your dog is probably suffering from anemia.
Anemia occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells for the normal function of the body.
In this case, pomegranate causes hemolytic anemia, which is the body’s inability to process iron properly since this fruit has a substance that breaks down red blood cells.
What to do if your dog is sick from eating pomegranate?
Bring your dog immediately to the vet when the signs of sickness occur.
The earlier you know your pet’s condition, the easier it to treat and prevent further damage.
You may do these things at home to promote better health of your dog:
- Stop feeding your dog with pomegranate in the meantime. If you’re aware that your dog has eaten it, refrain from giving more food until further notice. This may stop any other possible problems like vomiting or digestive issues in dogs.
- Give Vitamin K supplements orally or through injection as prescribed by a vet for faster recovery and better health status of your dog.
- Give a lot of water to your pet since they may be dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea caused by pomegranate intake. This will help prevent further complications or illnesses, especially those related to dehydration, such as kidney failure due to lack of hydration in the body.
But, again, if the symptoms persist, it is best to take your dog for medical attention and not wait until the symptoms worsen.
Ask a vet what to do next since they are professionals that can guide you accordingly.
Avoid similar foods from this family.
Sour cherries
Having similar characteristics with pomegranates, sour cherries can cause a similar problem for dogs.
These cherries contain the same substance as pomegranates which causes hemolytic anemia in canines, too.
Cherries
Cherries contain harmful substances which can cause kidney failure, so it is best to remove them from your pet’s diet.
Apple seeds and core
Like cherries, apple cores contain cyanide or arsenic that affects the digestive system of dogs when ingested.
Apple seeds are also poisonous for pets because they have a high amount of cyanide as well.
Make sure to remove seeds and core before feeding your pet with apples.
Grapes
Similar to cherries, grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs due to high amounts of the toxic chemical called methylene cyclopamine in them.
This substance is known for causing excitement followed by vomiting, ataxia (inability to coordinate movements), tremors, and difficulty walking.
Plums
Avoid giving plum products to your dog as well since they contain the same substance that causes illness.
Apples are fine if given moderation due to their high content of sugar, which can make a dog gain weight or develop diabetes.
How to Make Pomegranate Safe To Eat
Finally, you’ve made it here. And we congratulate you for gaining information about the reasons, possible health concerns, and foods to avoid for your dogs.
At this juncture, we want to ensure safety while you feed your dogs with this food. So, here are some tips you can follow:
Always ask your vet about the right proportion.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask your vet about the smallest amount of pomegranate that your dog can safely consume.
Your vet can determine this portion to avoid excess intake, which may cause further health issues.
Avoid the seed and core.
The pomegranate seeds are also harmful, so make sure to remove them from your pet’s food before serving them on a plate or bowl.
The same goes with the apple cores since these contain toxins that can harm your dog if ingested in excess amounts.
Make sure to serve fresh and ripe ones.
Since it is a seasonal fruit, make sure you get only the best from supermarkets or grocery stores.
Otherwise, you may purchase canned versions instead for longer shelf life at home. These are usually available in pet specialty shops as well.
Give it in moderation.
No matter what way of feeding pomegranate is chosen, be sure that you give this fruit in moderate amounts so as not to disrupt its nutritional contents.
It’s best used for dogs who are older than six months to avoid allergies.
Key Takeaways
“An apple with a grenade” happens to be “one of the best fruits” in the world. Pomegranate is a fruit like no other.
It looks like an apple on the outside but contains numerous seeds inside. This food is good to share by humans. And by dogs too!
To recap, your dogs can eat a pomegranate. We recommend this fruit to be part of your dog’s healthy diet since this fruit is a great appetizer, helps with weight loss, offers antioxidants benefits, provides natural detoxification, and boosts your dog’s immune system.
Yet, pomegranate seeds are poisonous and may cause choking when ingested by your dog.
It may also contain toxins resulting in your dog’s stomach upset. If given in excess, this food may increase the risk of bladder stones in your dog’s stomach.
For safer feeding, you have to ask your vet about the right proportion. As earlier mentioned, you have to avoid the seed and core. Plus, you have to serve fresh and ripe ones in moderation.