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Everyone knows that pomegranate is a very healthy fruit.
The high fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamin C, powerful antioxidants combined with a low calorie count make it what could be considered a superfood!
Are you thinking of sharing pomegranate with your dog, but aren’t certain it’s a good idea?
Here’s the deal:
While pomegranates are not poisonous, tummy troubles are a real possibility.
Too Much Pomegranate May Give Your Dog a Stomachache
Even humans often experience gastrointestinal irritation from eating pomegranate. Likewise, your dog could easily have a bit of abdominal pain afterwards.
A Common Side Effect
Stomach disruption is, by far, the most common reaction dogs get from consuming pomegranate.
And the same can be expected from grapefruit and other acidic juices like orange juice.
Our advice:
Skip pomegranate as a future treat if your dog vomits after eating some. Thankfully, if it happens, there is no need to panic — just be sure to offer lots of fresh water.
Moderation Is A Must
Go easy!
Avoid giving your dog a large amount and be especially conservative with pomegranate the first time it is fed.
Do that and pomegranate may actually be beneficial!
At least in theory, modest portions of fruits containing ellagic acid (an antioxidant) make sense for older dogs.
Tannins are Tricky
So why exactly can’t pets be allowed to feast on this otherwise fabulous fruit?
Pomegranate is loaded with anthocyanins and ellagic acid as well as tannins. Your dog may not be able to consume these powerful antioxidants in concentrated form.
You really do have to be careful about your canine’s consumption in order to avoid digestive trouble.
FYI: Persimmons also have lots of tannins.
The Extract is Excellent
Are you really health conscious when it comes to your beloved dog?
If so, providing pomegranate extract may be the best way to go!
A study published in the Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine found that, “Pomegranate extract, alone and in combination with the other substances, possesses significant strong antioxidant and cytoprotective activities in canine endothelial cells.”
What exactly does that mean?
Basically…
Diseases, and especially heart disease, as well as cell damage in general can be prevented when free radicals can be neutralized with the right type of concentrated pomegranate!
What About The Seeds?
Edible seeds, called arils, are the part of pomegranate that contains that delicious juice!
People consume the entire seed or spit them out after extracting the juices.
Watch this video for tips on providing them to your dog. Notice the slow pace!
Pomegranate Dog Treats
Nowadays many pet food manufacturers are adding pomegranate as an ingredient in their products.
What a wonderful idea! Not only is it healthy but you won’t have to worry about tummy disruption.
The Bottom Line
Your dog should only be allowed to have small amounts of pure pomegranate.
Get carried away and a furry friend’s tummy may not agree! It’s true that dogs are known to get stomachaches from eating this fruit.
Be careful and cautious when sharing.
Alternately, look into dog treats that contain pomegranate or quality extracts in order to reduce a possibility of tummy trouble.
Can you tell me how much powdered extract to give per pound of my dog’s weight?
I make a healthy drink in the morning for myself with lots of ground up fruits and vegetables (with the fluid portion of soy and pomegranate). My older Pomeranian loves to lick the inside of my cup after I’ve finished.
I haven’t seen any untoward reactions and have begun to pour a little out in a dish for her. She usually just prefers dark chicken meat, so this mixture gives her a more rounded diet.
Pomegranate seeds? No. Pomegranate juice, in small amounts? She seems to be okay.
Dogs are supposed to have an extremely acidic stomach. It helps to break down foods. The acidity of their gut protects them from bacteria that would make a human sick.
I have been raising dogs for years. Out of the hundreds, not one of them ever turned down a Pomegranate seed or ever showed one single symptom or problem eating them. In fact, they love them. You’d probably cringe if you knew what kind of diet my dogs eat!
I have Pomeranians that are well over 10 years old who have never had a health problem, or even tooth decay but have beautiful shiny coats. The vets are always amazed at how healthy and happy even my older dogs are.
There are many concerns over feeding dogs certain fruits and veggies, when really there should be more concern over worthless dry dog food, canned pet foods and chemical laden pet treats. Yes I cook for my dogs too. Reasonably, the average person will not take care of their dogs like this. I get that.
I just think more emphasis should be put on what dogs eat everyday that is considered healthy or okay, but in fact isn’t. Pardon if my tone seems offensive, I am passionate not angry. Your article gave me something to think about and I did enjoy reading it.
Hi Ima. Actually, the average person would gladly cook for their pets if they knew the process and source of the dog food on the shelves. People do not know that many of the components of dog foods are made in questionable factories and countries with little to no concern for quality. This goes for even what’s considered high quality dog foods.
I cook for economic reasons as well. A no grain, high protein/mineral dog food was $1.24 a pound locally. I can make my own from chicken/rice/veggies for less than $1 dollar a pound and I know exactly what went into it.
How much do you feed your dogs? I have a hairless Chinese Crested with a heart murmur. She takes medicine for it. I would love to help her heart and heard pomegranates are really good. She weighs 10 pounds.
Our 6 year old, named Tank, was fed approximately 15-20 pomegranate seeds yesterday evening. Today he seems ill, no appetite, shaking. Please advise.
Aw, poor pup. I think the best thing to do would be to have your dog drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. The appetite should come back and the shaking should stop. If it doesn’t stop after a bit then you should probably take him to the vet. Hope this helps!