Can dogs eat Pears?
Yes - pears are safe for dogs in moderation, with the core and pips removed. Ripe pear flesh is a soft, sweet treat with useful fibre and vitamins. Just deseed it, as with apples.
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What happens
Pear flesh is a pleasant, juicy treat carrying fibre, copper and vitamins C and K. Most dogs enjoy the soft sweetness. As with apples, the parts to remove are the core, which is a choking and blockage risk, and the pips, which contain a trace of a cyanide-releasing compound.
How much is safe?
A few small chunks is a good treat portion for any size of dog, a few times a week. Pears are fairly sweet, so treat them as an occasional snack and keep the total under a tenth of your dog's daily calories.
How to prepare it
Wash it, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and remove the core and every pip. Serve fresh and ripe. Avoid tinned pears in syrup and any dried pear with added sugar, both of which are far too sweet.
Symptoms to watch for
Too much pear can loosen the stools for a day, thanks to the fibre and sugar. A stray pip will not harm a dog, but there is no reason to feed the core or seeds, so cut them out.
When to call the vet
Coring the pear removes almost all the risk. If your dog swallows a large piece of core and then retches, struggles to swallow or seems bloated, contact your vet in case of a blockage.
Can dogs eat these?
Common questions
Can dogs eat pear cores and seeds?
No. The core is a choking and blockage risk, and the pips contain a trace of a cyanide-releasing compound. Cut them out and give your dog the flesh only.
Can dogs eat tinned pears?
It is best to avoid them. Tinned pears sit in sugary syrup that dogs do not need. Fresh, ripe pear with the core removed is the better choice.
How much pear can a dog have?
A few small chunks a few times a week is plenty. Pears are sweet, so keep them as an occasional treat within the tenth of daily calories that treats should stay under.
Looking for a food to feed instead? browse the directory or read the guides.
This is label analysis, not veterinary advice - if your dog has a health condition, talk to your vet before switching foods.