For humans, pomegranate is a superfood; it’s high in fibre, antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin k, potassium, and folic acid.
But dogs and people are different; their bodies don’t digest nutrients the same way, meaning things beneficial to humans aren’t automatically beneficial to dogs. So is that the case for pomegranate fruit?
The Short Answer
Yes and no. You can add the fruit extract and juice to dog food just fine, but you can’t serve your dog raw pomegranate.
Pomegranate seeds are coarse and acidic, negatively affecting the dog’s digestive tract and causing diarrhea and vomiting. Not to mention, pomegranate peel is a choking hazard.
Are Pomegranates Seeds Safe to Eat?
No, they aren’t. Pomegranate seeds are hard to digest and can scrape the inside of your dog’s intestines, causing diarrhea.
In addition, the seeds have high acidity that will affect the dog’s digestive system. That’s why it isn’t a good idea to feed your dog raw pomegranate seeds.
What to Do if Your Dog Ate Raw Pomegranate
Don’t be too worried. Eating raw pomegranate doesn’t pose a significant threat to your dog’s health. The most common reaction among dogs is stomach discomfort, vomit, and diarrhea due to the tannins content in the fruit. So, the chances are that your dog will throw up the fruit on its own.
What you need to do in this case is keep a close eye on your dog, make sure it drinks a lot of water, and not give it any food for six hours or so (or until it stops throwing up). Then, once the vomiting stops, you can gradually serve them their regular dog food little by little.
However, if your dog continues to vomit and the vomiting is severe and prolonged, you must immediately contact the vet or Animal Poison Control. They’ll be able to provide the best advice on the next steps based on your dog’s size, age, breed, and current/previous health issues.
Can I Give My Dog Pomegranate Juice?
Yes, pomegranate juice is safe for your canine friend, and it’s something that they’ll gladly consume as it’s both thirst-quenching and tasty for them. In addition, the juice is actually beneficial in terms of cell protection and inflammation reduction. So, it’ll be a healthy treat for your dog.
However, the juice shouldn’t be as concentrated as that consumed by humans. It should also be served in small quantities to avoid causing any digestive issues or intestinal obstruction. Also, substituting this juice for water isn’t recommended.
Health Benefits of Pomegranate Extract for Dogs
Consuming pomegranate extract won’t upset a dog’s stomach like eating raw fruit. On the contrary, it actually has health benefits, especially for gut and heart health.
Pomegranates are rich in vitamins A, B, K, and C. They’re also low in calories and high in folic acid, fibers, antioxidants, and calcium. So, pomegranate extract is definitely a good way to promote a healthy eating routine for your canine friend.
Because it’s high in antioxidants, pomegranate extract is great for treating inflammation and osteoarthritis, which is why you’ll typically find it in dog food. It’s also proven to help with canine oral health issues such as halitosis or stinky dog breath, so you’ll also find it in water additives to support dogs’ oral hygiene.
That said, we highly recommend talking to the vet before adding pomegranate extract to your dog’s diet; they’ll be able to give you the best advice on dosages.
Pomegranate Dog Treat Recipe
This simple recipe will get you about 25 to 30 dog cookies in 15 minutes or less. These little doggy cookies, made with wholesome ingredients like pomegranate juice, tapioca or oat flour, eggs, and honey, will have your pup going crazy.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1 cup tapioca flour
- 3/4 cup pomegranate juice
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, tapioca flour, and egg
- Add coconut oil and honey into the mixing bowl
- Stir in the pomegranate juice slowly
- Adjust the amount of juice as needed
- Knead the dough in the bowl until it is firm
- Divide the dough into four equal parts
- Roll each ball out to a thickness of 12 inches on a parchment paper-lined countertop
- Cut with a cookie cutter and place on a baking sheet
- Bake for 12-15 minutes in a preheated oven
- Remove from the oven and set aside for 4-5 hours to cool
- Store in airtight bags and keep in a cool place
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Give My Dog Pomegranate Yogurt?
Yes, you can add a small amount of pomegranate yogurt mixed into your dog food once a week, as pomegranate yogurt is rich in calcium for the dog’s bones, B vitamins for his brain, and probiotics for his digestive tract.
Can I Give My Dog Pomegranate Dog Treats?
Yes. Most dog food manufacturers that use pomegranate in their recipes have conducted extensive scientific research to ensure that their ingredients are safe for the dog’s health.
With the addition of pomegranate juice, these treats are made from ingredients that are usually used in dog biscuits. Therefore, this type of dog treat would be safe for your dog’s stomach.
Can Dogs Eat 1 Pomegranate Seed?
It’s unlikely to cause problems for a dog to eat one or a few pomegranate seeds. So, if your dog is interested, a couple of pomegranate seeds might make a tasty snack.
Is Pomegranate Bad for Chihuahuas?
Every dog owner would ask this question, can dogs eat pomegranates? And if yes, he’d think whether his breed would fall under the types of dogs that can eat pomegranates safely. Pomegranates aren’t toxic to any dog breed. On the contrary, pomegranates have numerous health benefits to offer our dogs.
However, the tannins (a complex chemical compound derived from phenolic acids) found in pomegranate seeds are most likely to upset your Chihuahua’s stomach. In other words, eating some of these seeds may cause your Chihuahua to have a stomach ache and vomiting, but nothing severe or concerning will occur.
Final Verdict
To wrap up, steer clear of raw pomegranate seeds and peel, and you should be fine. On the other hand, pomegranate juice or extract are both beneficial for your dog, so you can absolutely add them to your dog’s diet.
But moderation is essential here; take it easy and avoid giving your dog too much. If you get too carried away, your furry friend’s stomach may strike back in the form of vomiting or diarrhea.
Also, you’ll need to be especially vigilant the first time you serve the juice or extract to your dog and watch for any allergic reactions.
References:
https://blog.healthypawspetinsurance.com/can-dogs-eat-pomegranate
https://smartdogowners.com/pomegranates/
https://www.thegoodypet.com/can-dogs-eat-pomegranate-what-about-pomegranate-seeds
https://spoiledhounds.com/can-dogs-eat-pomegranate/
https://petdietguide.com/can-dogs-eat-pomegranate/
https://nashvillepaw.com/dogs-eat-pomegranate
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