Can Dogs Eat Pears? A Juicy Delight or Frightful Fruit?

Last week I was making a dessert with pears, and I was of course sharing some with the little scavenger at my feet. It’s common to find her in the kitchen laying at my ankles when I’m cooking, as she knows I’ll often share the pet-safe ingredients with her. After all, many fruits and vegetables, including pineapple, peaches, blueberries, and strawberries are completely safe for dogs in moderation. But that doesn’t mean it’s the same for all fruit types.

And it got me thinking, do others wonder “can dogs eat pears?” It may not be the most common fruit in our fridges or on the counter – perhaps not as common as apples and oranges – but they’re still a much beloved food in many households.

So are they safe for sharing? Let’s dig in!

[RELATED] Speaking of apples – are they shareable? Check out this post.

Can Dogs Eat Pears? The Benefits

Pears are deliciously sweet and juicy fruits that are great to eat on their own or in a fancy dessert. As they’re so good for us humans, it may have caused you to stop and think “can dogs eat pears?”

Yes! There are no toxicity or poisoning concerns with this particular fruit. In fact, they’re really good as the occasional treat or as a healthy addition to the dinner bowl. Here’s why…

Pears are rich in:

• antioxidants
• calcium
• potassium
• copper
• lutein
• zeaxanthin
• magnesium
• vitamins A, C, and K
• dietary fiber

[RELATED] What other fruits might your pup enjoy? Here are a bunch of pet-safe picks!

What About the Core and Seeds??

While the inside of a pear doesn’t have a big, hard pit that presents a choking hazard, it does have a harder, more fibrous center where the seeds sit. This can be hard for your dog to digest, and does pose a minor blockage risk, so just don’t feed that to your dog. Slice off what you would eat and only feed that!

One reason people might suggest staying away from pears is because of something called amygdala. This is found in the seeds of pears, just like apple seeds. When these seeds are crushed (through chewing) they release cyanide into the body. But don’t panic. While cyanide is poisonous, pear seeds (and apple seeds) contain only minute amounts. Your dog would need to eat a lot (and we mean a lot) of seeds for it to be an issue. Don’t let this concern stop you from feeding pears if your dog enjoys them. And of course, it isn’t a concern at all if you’re not feeding the seeds.

How to Feed Pears to Your Pup

Let’s start with this: there are a few other important things to note when it comes to the question “can dogs eat pears?”

1. Pears are high in natural sugars, so perhaps choose another fruit if your pet has diabetes.
2. Skip canned pears. Canned pears, like all canned fruits, are stored in juices which are very high in sugar, which your dog doesn’t need. Stay away from canned fruits in particular and just stick with fresh pears instead.

How much pear should you be feeding? We mentioned sugar… fruits and vegetables should only make up around 10% of your dog’s diet. Pears have a fair amount of sugar in them, and they’re higher in calories than other veggie, so really, we would opt for a variety for that 10%, other than just pears. A few slices of pear a week is plenty when fed as part of a balanced diet.

So sliced pear is great, but are there other ways to feed them?

• Blend pear with kefir and raw pumpkin for a satisfying smoothie. Pour the leftovers into an ice cube tray for some refreshing pupcicles.
• Cut a pear up into small chunks and use them as training treats.
• Grate some pear over your dog’s regular meal.
• Mix up a berry-good fruit salad with other recommended fruits (like these!).

Just remember that not all dogs will like pears, so don’t be surprised if your four-legged friend turns her nose up – that’s no big deal, just pick a different fruit.