You may be munching on a refreshing Chinese pear and pause to ponder: can dogs eat Asian pears?
Before you give any human food with your dog, you should find out if it’s safe and if there are any health benefits!
And you can find out all of that here.
Can Dogs Eat All Types of Pears?
Yes, all kinds of pears are safe for dogs to eat.
If you remove the seeds, core, and stem, it will be a non-toxic treat for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Asian Pears?
All varieties of Asian pear are safe for dogs.
From Korean to European pears to Nashi pears, these are all a-okay to feed your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Pears?
Canned pears are a little trickier.
They are non-toxic for dogs.
However, most canned fruits are in a super sugary syrup that can cause gastrointestinal stress in dogs and give them unnecessary calories.
You should avoid canned fruits that sit in sugar.
But you can give them some small pieces of canned pears suspended in fruit.
But it’s best to stick with regular fresh pears over a canned pear.
Can Dogs Eat Asian Pears With Skin?
Dogs can eat pear skin, and it’s one of the healthiest parts of the pear.
The skin is low in sugar but high in antioxidants, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C, so that it can benefit your pup.
Are Pears Safe for Dogs?
Good news!
The quick answer is pears are safe and non-toxic for dogs, so you can share this sweet and juicy fruit with your furry friend.
Why Are Pears Healthy?
While pears are not integral to a puppy’s healthy diet, they have some minor health benefits that make you feel good about sharing a piece of ripe pear with your pet.
This is especially in place of high-calorie treats that can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Natural
Foods with processed sugar, added sugar, and other unnatural ingredients are not excellent for dogs. Super fatty or sugary items can cause tummy issues and digestive problems.
High Fiber
Pears are high in dietary fiber, so they can help your dog with digestion if they’re constipated.
Any foods high in fiber are suitable for the digestive systems in both humans and dogs.
However, if your dog is constipated, one of the best foods to give them is pumpkin puree.
Low Calorie
A whole pear is only 102 calories.
But some dog treats can be 50 calories per treat.
So replacing one of those high-calorie treats with a small amount of pear that is likely 20-25 calories and very little fat can be a way to treat them without giving them too many calories in a day.
Benefits of Pears for Dogs
Not only will your dog likely love the sweet taste, but some health benefits come from feeding them pears.
Heart Health
Pears have properties that can help strengthen and stiffen heart muscles and improve heart health.
The procyanidin antioxidants, which are more concentrated in the pear skin, can promote heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cancer Prevention
Anthocyanins is a plant pigment present in pears and other fruits.
It has been shown to decrease the risk of cancer and tumor growth.
They’re also rich in copper, which is excellent for bodily health, and many believe it to be a cancer-preventing property.
Reduced Risk of Stroke
Recent studies have shown that white fruits, like apples and pears, can reduce the risk of stroke in humans.
The likelihood of this benefit applying to dogs is high.
Eyesight Protection
The lutein and zeaxanthin compounds found in pears are excellent for improving and sharpening eyesight for you and your dog.
So forget the carrots and go for pears!
Sugar Stability
High amounts of sugar are bad for dogs.
But dogs with diabetes or other insulin deficiencies may need to consume sugar to keep their body balanced.
And giving them a pear is a much better option than a twinkie!
Satisfying But Low in Calories
As mentioned, sugary treats aren’t great for dogs and can lead to obesity.
But they can still enjoy a sweet treat with you by giving them a piece of pear.
Hydrating
Pears are 80-84% water, so they are a great way to hydrate your dog if they tend not to drink enough water.
How To Give Pear to Dogs
You can’t just toss your dog a whole pear and expect them to eat it like a human.
So take these steps next time you want to feed your dog a little pear snack.
Wash Them First
If you don’t already wash your fruit before eating it or giving it to your dog, you should.
Gently washing your fruit in cold, drinkable water, ideally with a gentle brush, helps remove harmful pesticides and small particles like dirt.
Washing a pear takes roughly ten seconds and can protect you and your pet from substances that wind up on pears and other fruit.
Cut Into Small Pieces
You should cut the pear into very small, bite-size pieces.
A good rule of thumb is to cut them into the same size that your dog’s kibble is, ensuring they’re able to chew and swallow it safely.
If you cut the pear pieces too large, your enthusiastic dog may try to eat them too fast, which can be a choking hazard.
Some people feel the need to peel the skin, but this is not necessary, as the skin contains healthy antioxidants for your pup!
Ensure There Are No Seeds
Pear seeds contain traces of toxin cyanide, which can be extremely harmful to dogs, and, if digested in large quantities, fatal.
Therefore, you must ensure there are no seeds or pear seed fragments in or on the pieces of pear you share with your dog.
Monitor Your Dog
Most importantly, do not feed your dog food and leave them alone.
Even with small, soft pieces of pear, they are still at risk of choking.
Whenever you feed your dog, you should stay in the same room and monitor them to ensure they do not obstruct their airway or have an adverse reaction to the food.
How Many Pears Are Safe?
Pears are considered a treat for your dog.
Therefore, you should adhere to the 10% rule for giving them to your dog.
The 10% rule is that only 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake should consist of treats.
So for medium dogs that weigh about 50 pounds, their daily calorie intake should be just over 1,100 calories.
So only 10% of that, meaning 110 calories, should be treats.
If the pear is the only treat you will give them that day, they can have an entire pear, but this is still a lot of sugar.
It’s best to feed your dog half a pear when you share with them; small dogs should have even less.
While pears are healthy and yummy for dogs, they should not replace a nutritional meal of dog food.
Bottom Line
The answer to ‘can dogs eat Asian pears’ is a resounding yes, and they can eat all pears!
When sharing any nontoxic food with your dog, the takeaway is to practice moderation, as their nutritional dog food should always be their primary source of calories!
Comment if you have any questions about sharing pears with your pup!