The pomegranate is the fruit of the pomegranate diet, a tree that belongs to the Punica family, native to southern Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan. It is a low-calorie fruit with astringent and anti-inflammatory properties that people usually include in their diet, especially as part of purifying and slimming diets. Some of its properties are also beneficial for dogs, however, the raw fruit can have some undesirable consequences for your pet.
If you are wondering if dogs can eat a pomegranate, feel free to join us on the following dog57 article, in which we explain everything you need to know about this fruit.
Is it okay for dogs to eat pomegranate?
Pomegranate is not a poisonous fruit for dogs. It is not part of the list of poisonous plants to dogs published by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Proof of this is the presence of many commercial snacks and feeds for dogs that include this fruit in their ingredient list.
Since it is not a poisonous fruit for dogs, you likely think it is a suitable fruit for dogs. However, it is not.
Giving natural pomegranate can have some undesirable effects on dogs which we will explain later.
For this reason, it is preferable to eliminate pomegranate from the dog's diet and choose other suitable fruits such as apples, pears, blackberries, raspberries, or melons.
However, although natural fruit is not recommended for dogs, pomegranate peel extract is a food product that can be used as a supplement in a dog's diet, always under a veterinary prescription.
Pomegranate properties and benefits
Pomegranate is considered a low-calorie fruit, which is distinguished by its high potassium content and for providing small amounts of vitamin C and vitamin B, however, its main benefits stem not so much from its nutritional contribution, but from the presence of other compounds such as polyphenols (tannins) and alkaloids. These compounds are characterized by their characteristics:
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidants
grippers
Antibacterial
anthelmintic
anti-cancer
However, we must emphasize that these compounds are found mainly in the peel and the plates and membranous sections, and not in the granules (or strips) of the pomegranate. The content of polyphenols in pomegranate peel is ten times higher than the content of its core.
The effect of these compounds found in pomegranate peel has been evaluated in various studies. Specifically, pomegranate bark extract has been shown to have benefits such as:
Reduce a load of intestinal worms: Applied in adult dogs. The anthelmintic properties of pomegranate bark extract can have a residual effect of up to 30 days after treatment when taken orally.
Reducing bacterial plaque: In dogs with otitis externa and diarrhea, pomegranate extract showed a good antibacterial effect, especially against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella.
Similarly, the incorporation of pomegranate extract into dog biscuits has been shown to reduce bacterial plaque and tartar properties for periodontal disease in dogs.
Increased Antioxidant Enzymes: Pomegranate bark extract supplementation in dogs has been shown to increase antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, or glutathione transferase.
Anti-cancer effect: Pomegranate bark extract supplementation had a positive effect on fermentation at the level of the large intestine in dogs.
Specifically, it increased the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, which improve the health of the colorectal epithelium and help prevent colorectal cancer.
Why is pomegranate not good for dogs?
As we explained in the previous section, pomegranate is a fruit that provides many health benefits and is not toxic to dogs. However, it is not a suitable fruit for our pets.
This is because pomegranate seeds are difficult for dogs to digest and can cause:
stomachache
vomiting
Stomach ache
For this reason, it is best to keep this fruit away from our dogs, and whenever we want to take advantage of its benefits, do so through dietary supplements containing pomegranate extract, as these will not produce any negative effects on our pet.
Are pomegranate seeds toxic to dogs?
As mentioned earlier, pomegranate (including its seeds) is not toxic to dogs. They are not on the list of poisonous plants to dogs published by the ASPCA. However, although its seeds are not toxic, they are difficult for dogs to digest, so it is preferable not to include them in their diet.
What do I do if my dog eats pomegranate?
During the article, we explained the reasons why this fruit is not suitable for dogs. However, if your dog has eaten a pomegranate, there is no need to worry.
Consuming this fruit can cause mild signs, such as vomiting or abdominal pain, but they are generally self-healing symptoms that disappear in a short period.
However, whenever your dog eats pomegranate and develops more serious or long-lasting signs over time, do not hesitate to go to your trusted vet for proper examination and appropriate treatment.
To avoid any undesirable effects associated with consuming pomegranate, remember to keep this and other fruits unsuitable for your dog out of their reach. This will be the easiest way to prevent your dog from accidentally eating this fruit.
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