Pomegranate comes from the Lythraceae family. The pomegranate season starts in October and ends in February. While the fruit is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber, we love it for its taste, apart from its nutritious value. Well, who isn’t enticed by the heavenly taste of this fruit?
How amazing it would be if our dogs could also enjoy this mouth-watering fruit. But can dogs eat pomegranate? Are pomegranates toxic to dogs? Let’s find out.
Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate?
Technically, yes, dogs can eat pomegranates. Pomegranates come from the Lythraceae family, and anything coming from this is considered safe for dogs, according to the ASPCA. Besides being listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic food, many researchers have proved that pomegranate seeds are not fatal for dogs.
But this never means that we throw a whole raw pomegranate at our dog. If taken in excess and in larger chunks, pomegranates can cause gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea. Most likely, the dog will vomit the pomegranate itself after a stomach upset.
The pomegranate seeds, just like corn, contain a substance called tannin which can cause all the adverse effects in your dog. Ingestion of large amounts of tannins in a portion of food can specifically result in issues like digestive problems, i.e., loose motions and vomiting in the dogs. Another important fact, a portion of food can simply choke on the pomegranate peel. So you have to be vigilant when preparing something for your dog while using pomegranate.
Read: Can Dogs Eat Apricots?
Pomegranate as an Ingredient of Dog Food
Pomegranate has been used as an ingredient of dog food by some reputed dog food companies. Farmina, for instance, uses dried pomegranate in one of their classic dog food recipes. This Italian dog food company has published several scientific studies on their website regarding the ingredients contained in their dog food.
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In another research, it was observed that the extract from pomegranate peel acts as a probiotic for your dog’s gut. It also improves digestion in them. However, the research is not very relaxing because it was done on only a few dogs, and the research results can not be applied to all canines.
You can avoid the fruit directly, but if a good dog food recipe is available for your dog which has multiple health benefits, you should take advantage of that.
Symptoms Your Dog May Experience After Eating Pomegranate
Some dogs may fall ill after eating a pomegranate, and others may not feel a difference at all. However, when you doubt that your dog has eaten some of this delicious and dangerous fruit, you should look out for the following signs for a while. Encourage your dog to drink a lot of water. In most cases, the dogs vomit out the pomegranate itself.
It is not necessary that the dog will show symptoms of stomach upset and indigestion. Your dog may or may not become sick after eating a pomegranate, depending on his digestive system.
When to Involve a Vet
If you see your pet dog nibbling on a whole big red pomegranate and observe that he is acting bizarre, you should probably call your vet immediately to be on the safe side. Your vet or animal poison control may give you the best guidelines to follow. They will look into your dog’s age, size, breed, and recent or past health problems.