Can Dogs Eat Pears?

Pears are a non-toxic and relatively harmless fruit for dogs. However, a few risks are associated with feeding pears to dogs, including choking hazards and GI disturbances. While pears are non-toxic, that doesn’t mean your dog should eat them. Pears should only be fed to dogs in moderation because they contain sugar and can cause minor to severe GI issues, including gas, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Dogs seem to love pears because they’re juicy and sweet, plus they want to share all your food with you. While pears may be safe for your dog to eat, that doesn’t mean your dog needs to eat pears. Dogs get all the nutrients they need through their regular diets, so there’s really no reason to share pears with them. However, there’s no harm in giving your dog a small piece of your snack when you’re enjoying it yourself. 

If you’re wondering “can my dog eat pears?”, this article is for you. In this article, we’ll discuss whether or not you should feed your dog pears, how much to feed them, and how to safely feed them pears. 

• Are Pears Healthy For Dogs?
• How Much Pear Is Safe To Feed My Dog?
• Which Types Of Pears Are Safe For Dogs?
• How To Safely Feed Your Dog Pears
• Can Dogs Eat Pears? : FAQs
• Final Notes

Are Pears Healthy For Dogs?

Can a dog eat pears? Yes. Should a dog eat pears? It depends. Pears are safe for dogs, and many enjoy them, but that doesn’t mean they should eat them every day. There’s no nutritional benefit to feeding your dog pears as treats, but you can still feed them a small piece of pear as a snack. Here are a few potential risks of feeding your dog pears:

• High Sugar Content: All fruit contains sugar, which can cause stomach issues in dogs in large quantities. Even though you shouldn’t feed your dog an entire pear, you should still consider your dog’s current health. Dogs suffering from obesity or diabetes should never eat anything that could cause a spike in blood sugar levels or lead to weight gain.
• Choking Hazard: Pears are a choking hazard for dogs, especially if you don’t cut them into small enough pieces. The pear core and seeds may also be a choking hazard for dogs. Never give your dog the core as a chew toy because they might try to chew and swallow it. 
• Trace Amounts of Cyanide: Pear seeds and cores contain trace amounts of cyanide that can be released when crushed. While these trace amounts of cyanide aren’t enough to cause poisoning in most dogs, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Additionally, some dogs may be more sensitive to cyanide than others. 
• Unripe: Unripe pears can result in the same GI issues for your dog as they do for you. Unripe pears are difficult to chew and digest, giving your dog an upset stomach that can result in diarrhea and vomiting. Additionally, since unripe pears are much harder to chew and swallow, they can also create a choking hazard. 

Ultimately, there’s no reason to go out of your way to give your dog any small amount of pear. However, if you just cut yourself a bowl for a snack, you can likely get away with sharing a small piece with your furry friend. 

How Much Pear Is Safe To Feed My Dog?

When sharing pears with your dog, you’ll need to consider things like their weight, health, and how much they’ve already eaten that day. Of course, for some dogs, no amount of pear is safe because it could cause blood sugar spikes. However, if you’re feeding a healthy dog pear, consider limiting their total amount of treats by using the 10 percent rule, which states that your dog should only eat up to 10 percent of their daily calories in the form of treats.¹

Ultimately, just because pears are non-toxic and safe for healthy dogs to consume, dogs shouldn’t eat too much. Instead, only feed your dog pears in moderation, which means avoiding giving them pears every day. Eating too many pears could lead to GI Issues, so instead, find out how much you can feed your dog by giving them a small amount and monitoring them. Small dogs should have smaller pieces to avoid a choking hazard. 

You can consult your vet if you’re ever in doubt about how much pear to feed your dog. Many vets can help you track your dog’s calorie intake through food and treats to help you determine how many calories per day you can feed them in treats like pears, training treats, and other dog snacks. 

Which Types Of Pears Are Safe For Dogs?

Depending on your favorite type of pear, you might be wondering, “Can dogs eat Asian pears?” Most pears, including Bartlett, Korean, and Asian Pears, are safe for your dog to eat. However, you should only ever feed your dog fresh pears; they should not eat canned pears, which may be preserved with dangerous ingredients and contain high levels of sugar. Of course, pears already contain more sugar than your dog needs, which can lead to weight gain, obesity, and diabetes. 

If you’re going to feed your dog pears, always feed them fresh, ripe pears in small amounts after removing the pit. However, before you give your dog any new treats, whether it’s a dog treat or human food, you should always consult your vet, who can help you determine if the new treat is safe for your pet. 

How To Safely Feed Your Dog Pears 

You should only ever feed your dog fresh, ripe pears to prevent GI issues and choking hazards. Here’s how to safely feed your dog pears: 

• Wash them: Always wash pears before feeding them to your dog to ensure you’re removing any dirt, germs, and pesticides. 
• Remove the pit: Removing the pit and immediately tossing it in the trash will prevent your dog from thinking it’s a chew toy. Never feed your dog the pit of any fruit because it contains trace amounts of cyanide and can be a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockages. 
• Cut them up: Cutting the pear into small pieces can prevent another choking hazard in dogs. While you may chew your food before swallowing it, dogs can get too excited and immediately swallow anything you give them. To prevent dogs from swallowing large pieces of pear, cut the pear up into small pieces that they’ll be able to swallow if they choose not to chew. 
• Limit amount: Pears should only be fed in moderation. Small dogs should only have a small piece every now and then, while larger dogs can have a few pieces. However, don’t make feeding your dog pears a daily occurrence because it can quickly lead to weight gain.  
• Check with a vet: Before feeding your dog any new treat, check with your vet to ensure that it’s healthy for them. Pears should only be fed to healthy dogs, and dogs with weight problems or underlying medical conditions should not be fed anything outside of their regular diets. 

Can dogs eat pear skin? Yes!  Feel free to chop up the pear with the skin still on.

Can Dogs Eat Pears? : FAQs

Are pears toxic to dogs? 

Pears are non-toxic and even safe for dogs when consumed in moderation and prepared properly. Sharing a small piece of pear with your dog when you’re enjoying a snack should not cause any adverse side effects. However, pears aren’t healthy for all dogs. Dogs with medical conditions should not consume anything outside of their regular diets. 

Will pears give dogs diarrhea?

Pears can give dogs diarrhea because it can upset their GI tract. If you’re worried your dog will have diarrhea from pears, consider feeding them a small piece and monitoring them. If your dog doesn’t have diarrhea, you can assume pears are safe for them in moderation. However, some dogs have sensitive stomachs, and anything outside of their regular food and treats can cause diarrhea. If your dog has diarrhea or vomiting after eating pears, they should avoid it. 

What fruits can dogs eat?

Fruits that are safe to share with your dog include:

• Apples: Remove core and seeds before chopping apples up into small pieces to prevent a choking hazard. 
• Bananas: Remove peel, which can be difficult for dogs to digest. 
• Blueberries: Wash before sharing with your pet. 
• Cantaloupe: Cut into small pieces to prevent a choking hazard. 
• Cranberries: Never feed your dog cranberry juice or sauce, which can contain added sugars. 
• Mango: Peel it and remove the pit before chopping it up into small pieces to share with your dog. 
• Oranges: Only feed dogs the flesh. 
• Peaches: Cut into small pieces before sharing. Dogs can eat the skin. 
• Pineapple: Peel it and cut it into small pieces. 
• Pumpkin: Canned pumpkin is safe for dogs and may even improve stomach upset. 
• Raspberries: Rinse before sharing. 
• Strawberries: Remove stems and chop them into smaller pieces. 
• Watermelon²: Only feed dogs seedless watermelon that has been chopped into small pieces, removing every part of the rind. 

Wondering, “Can dogs eat carrots?” or other vegetables? Check out our list of foods dogs can’t eat to help you find healthy snacks for your pet while avoiding dangerous foods. 

Final Notes

Pears can be a safe treat for your dog when you’re making yourself a snack, but they don’t need pears in their diets. Your dog already gets all the nutrients they need from their regular diet and nutrition, and feeding them anything else means they’re consuming more calories, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. 

Of course, feeding healthy dogs pears in moderation can be a great way to bond with your pet; just ensure you’re not overfeeding them. Whenever you share pears with your dog, give them fewer snacks and treats throughout the day. 

Unsure what foods are safe for your pet? Ask a Dutch vet. Dutch licensed vets can help you improve your dog’s health and wellness through diet. Talk to one of our vets about your dog’s diet today.