Can dogs or cats eat pomegranate?
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Can dogs eat pomegranate?
Can dogs eat pomegranates? It's complicated.
Pomegranates are a rich source of vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial for your dog's health. They contain high levels of antioxidants, fibre, vitamin C, and potassium, nutrients which boost the immune system and help maintain good digestion. However, it is important to remember that pomegranate seeds can't easily be broken down by your dog's digestive system, and can therefore cause gastrointestinal upset and digestive blockages.
If you want your dog to get a taste of some tangy pomegranate, pomegranate peel extract is safest. (In fact, one 2017 study found that it's good for canine digestion.) If you do want to feed your dog the actual fruit, you should only feed them the arils (i.e., the reddish fruit that surrounds the seed). This means you'll need to completely extract the seeds from the arils, which is easier said than done! You may wind up with little more than pomegranate juice.
It's also important to make sure that your dog doesn't eat any pieces of pomegranate rind or stem, which can cause digestive blockages.
keep in mind that feeding your dog too much fruit can cause digestive problems due to the high sugar content. Fruits like pomegranate should never be anything more than an occasional treat.
Always consult your vet before introducing a new food into your dog's diet. If your canine companion eats pomegranate (or any food) and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhoea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. And if your pup ever requires veterinary care due to something they ate, dog insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
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Can cats eat pomegranate?
Pomegranates are rich in vitamins and minerals that can boost the human immune system, improve heart health, and reduce inflammation. But are they safe for cats?
Only if you're careful.
Pomegranates contain high levels of antioxidants, fibre, vitamin C, and potassium — nutrients which are beneficial for immune health and digestion. However, pomegranate seeds are hard and fibrous, which means they can't easily be broken down by your cat's digestive system. As a result, they can cause gastrointestinal illness and digestive blockages.
It's therefore essential to remove all seeds from the pomegranate arils (i.e., the reddish fruit that surrounds the seed) before offering the fruit to your cat. This may not be particularly easy to do, but it's necessary. Also, make sure your cat doesn't eat any pieces of pomegranate rind or stem, as these could also cause gastrointestinal problems and digestive blockages.
Finally, keep in mind that cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to get most of their nutrients from meat-based foods. If you do feed your cat (seedless) pomegranate, it should only be as an occasional treat, not as a regular part of their diet. Plant-based foods should never displace the meat in your cat's diet.
Always consult your vet before introducing a new food into your cat's diet. If your kitty eats pomegranate (or any food) and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhoea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. And if your cat ever requires veterinary care due to something they ate, cat insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
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Information purposes only
The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian.
Pet poison emergency protocol
If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the Animal Poison Line (01202 50 9000).
Food safety statuses
Could be given almost daily without harm
Not toxic, but should not be given regularly
Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet