Pomegranates are delicious to humans, which is why they appear in many recipes around the holidays. But can dogs eat pomegranate seeds? The answer is yes, but you need to know when and how much. Here’s what you should know about feeding your dog this fruit.
A lot like humans, your pup needs many different nutrients in order to stay healthy. Pomegranate seeds contain antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, and healthy fats. All of these nutrients are crucial for the health of our canine companions. However, to reap the benefits of these nutrients, you should prepare your dog’s food properly.
How To Feed Your Dog Pomegranate Seeds
Pomegranate seeds are not necessarily harmful to your dog, but they can cause intestinal upset if he eats too many or if he does not have enough liquid in his system. While the exact amount of pomegranate seeds that will cause gastrointestinal distress depends on your pup’s health history and other factors, it is generally accepted that an adult dog should only consume one to two tablespoons full of pomegranate seeds per day. You may also want to limit the number of times you offer this treat in a week.
This fruit contains a lot of seeds. It can be difficult to keep track of how many you have offered your dog. An easy way to portion out these treats is to use pomegranate arils, which are the bright-colored parts of the fruit that hold the seeds. To give your pup a safe amount, cut an aril into quarters or pieces that are about one-fourth of the whole aril. You may also want to measure out these portions and put them in a container for easy access.
To avoid any potential stomach upset, dogs should always eat pomegranate seeds with plenty of water. If your dog is not interested in the fruit, mix it with other ingredients to encourage him to eat. You can place pomegranate seeds in your dog’s food, or you can make a tasty treat by chopping up the seeds and mixing them with pieces of other foods. The seeds are sweet, so it helps to use this fruit with other flavorful ingredients. You can chop up chicken or beef and mix it with pomegranate seeds for a tasty meal that is high in antioxidants.
If you have any questions about how much pomegranate seeds are safe for dogs, ask your veterinarian before feeding it to your pooch.
You might also be interested in Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate Peels?
Conclusion
Dogs can eat pomegranate seeds and enjoy them, but one has to be careful because they contain compounds that can affect your dog’s health. Also, if dogs eat too many of these seeds, they might experience vomiting or diarrhea.
If you’re concerned that your pup may get an upset stomach from eating too many pomegranate seeds, try only giving your dog one seed at a time and gauging how their stomach reacts.
To read more about feeding pomegranate to your canine companion, check out our article, ‘Can dogs eat pomegranate?’ Explore more other pomegranate-related dog articles here.
How do you serve pomegranate seeds to your dog? Do you mix them with other ingredients? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!