We all love a good pineapple.
Not only is it delicious and sweet, but it’s also packed with nutrients and vitamins that help keep our bodies healthy.
It’s no surprise that so many humans love this fruit—and for good reason! Not only does it have a lot of health benefits, it’s also incredibly affordable and easy to find. That’s why many Shih Tzu owners are interested in their Shih Tzu doing the same: eating pineapple.
But can you feed pineapples to your Shih Tzus? The short answer is “Yes”–but there are lots of questions regarding whether they should eat it in the first place, what kind of pineapple would be best for them if they decide to try it, and how often they should eat it if they decide to add some pineapple into their diet. Let’s start with the following question:
Are pineapples safe for Shih Tzus?
Pineapples are safe for Shih Tzus in small quantities. They will enjoy the sweet taste of the soft fruit and the juicy texture, but they can get sick if they eat too much of it.
The only part of a pineapple that is safe to feed your Shih Tzu is the soft inner fruit. It has no spiky skin or hard core, so there’s no risk of getting hurt while eating it.
It’s best not to feed your Shih Tzu too much pineapple at once—especially if you’re introducing it for the first time—as it could cause an upset stomach or diarrhea if he eats too much at once.
Benefits of pineapples in Shih Tzus
Moisture: Pineapples provide a great deal of moisture to the body, which is especially good for Shih Tzus with dry skin or hair.
Vitamins: Pineapples contain high levels of vitamins A and C, both of which are antioxidants and can help prevent illness.
Minerals: Pineapples are also rich in minerals such as potassium, manganese, and copper. These minerals help improve bone health and support the immune system.
Bromelain: Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that helps combat inflammation. It’s especially useful for treating arthritis, but it can also help reduce swelling from injuries or surgery.
Fiber: Finally, pineapples have plenty of fiber (about one gram per cup), which helps keep your Shih Tzu’s digestive system moving smoothly, so he doesn’t get constipated.
Do all Shih Tzus like pineapples?
Unfortunately, no. Some Shih Tzus can be allergic to pineapple.
Your Shih Tzus may not like pineapple because they have food preferences, just like humans do. Shih Tzus are more likely to like the flavors of fruits that are familiar to them—so if you’ve never fed a banana or apple to your Shih Tzu before, it may take time for them to adjust their palate to those flavors.
Don’t force it if your Shih Tzu doesn’t seem interested in eating pineapple! Instead, try other Shih Tzu-friendly fruits like bananas, apples and strawberries. Consult with your vet before introducing a new food to your Shih Tzu’s diet so that they can assess whether there are any specific allergies or intolerance issues that may arise from feeding your pet pineapple.
Can my Shih Tzus have pineapples every day?
There’s no rule on how often Shih Tzus can eat pineapple. If your Shih Tzu loves the taste, you can feed them the recommended amount of pineapple every day if they like it.
But we recommend you to vary the treats because your Shih Tzus can get bored. Shih Tzus are creatures of habit, so if you give them a different treat every day, they’ll feel like they’re getting extra special attention. And what Shih Tzu doesn’t love that?
Also, different treats contain different nutrients and micronutrients that are good for your Shih Tzu’s health.
Can Shih Tzu puppies eat pineapples?
Yes, you can give your Shih Tzu puppy a pineapple. But wait for the first two months. The first two months of a puppy’s life are crucial for their development, so they need to be on a specialized diet during this time. After two months, though, you can start giving your pup just a small bite of pineapple once or twice a week—just be careful! Puppies have a delicate digestive system, so consult with the vet before introducing any new food into your puppy’s diet.
How much pineapple can Shih Tzus eat?
Depending on the age, size and activity level of your Shih Tzu, feeding pineapple can be a great way to add some variety to their diet. But just like any other food, there are a few things you should know before you spoon it into your pup’s bowl.
First, consult with your vet about how much pineapple is safe for your pooch. While most Shih Tzus will benefit from the antioxidants and vitamins in pineapple, some Shih Tzus may have adverse reactions to certain foods—so it’s always better to be safe than sorry for feeding your Shih Tzu something new.
Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s talk about portion control! Feeding a small amount of pineapple (1/2 small bites) is enough for most Shih Tzus.
Finally: follow the 90/10 rule! Shih Tzus need a completely balanced diet that includes meat, grains, fruits and vegetables—but they should only get 10% of their calories from fruit sources like pineapple.
How to serve pineapples to your Shih Tzus?
1. Raw: Peel and slice into small pieces, then feed them to your Shih Tzu.
2. Mixing it in yogurt: Mix a bit of pineapple juice with yogurt and give it to your Shih Tzu.
3. Pureed pineapple: Puree some fresh pineapple, then mix it with Shih Tzu food or serve it as is.
4. Smoothies: Blend some pineapple together with other fruits such as bananas, apples, or strawberries and serve the smoothie to your pet.
When are pineapples bad for Shih Tzus?
Pineapples can be bad for Shih Tzus, but only under certain circumstances. Here are some of the most common situations that may cause a Shih Tzu to have an adverse reaction to pineapple.
The first and most important thing to consider is whether your Shih Tzu has any underlying health issues. For example, if your Shih Tzu has diabetes or allergies, the consumption of pineapple may exacerbate those conditions. If you suspect your Shih Tzu has an allergy to pineapples, talk to your veterinarian about alternative treatments for their condition.
Another factor that could make pineapples bad for Shih Tzus is overindulgence. Pineapple contains sugar and acid, so if your Shih Tzu eats too much pineapple in one sitting, he might experience diarrhea or vomiting as his body tries to flush out all that excess sugar and acid from his system.
Finally, processed pineapple—such as canned fruit cocktail—will not cause any problems for your Shih Tzu because it is already cooked before being packaged up for sale at the grocery store.
However, if you give him fresh pineapple and let him eat it himself rather than cutting it up into small pieces first (which would make it easier for him to digest), there’s a chance that piece could get lodged somewhere inside his body rather than passing.
Other human foods Shih Tzus can eat
What other human foods can Shih Tzus eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Shih Tzus can eat.