Pomegranates are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals for humans. They are often called superfoods. But how good are they for the dogs? Humans and dogs are entirely different species, and beneficial for humans can often be toxic to dogs.
This article will describe if pomegranate seeds are safe for dogs and some related information you may like to know.
Dogs eat pomegranate seeds
Dogs should not eat too many pomegranate seeds as they are too high in fiber and contain tannin that can cause digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea to the dogs. But it is not toxic to them. You can feed 4-5 seeds as a treat without any risk factors.
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Pomegranates are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and are known as super healthy fruit to humans. But the case is different for the dogs. Dogs will obviously like the sweet taste of pomegranate, but there are complications associated with its seed.
Usually, dogs can eat a few seeds without any issue, which can also benefit them, as it is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants are vital for them as they are essential to boost their immunity and cellular functions. Antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
But dogs can not eat too many pomegranate seeds for some solid reasons. Pomegranate seeds have high levels of tannin and fiber, which are not digestible for dogs. They can manage a little tannin, but if they consume too many seeds, they can vomit and have diarrhea.
However, pomegranate seeds will make your dog sick, but they will not cause any significant issues to your dog even if the dog consumes whole fruits. But to be safe, you can contact your vet for his quick recovery.
Let’s break it down a little more. As we mentioned, the tannin in pomegranate seeds causes digestive issues in dogs. But what is tannin, and how does it function within the dog’s body?
In simple words, tannin is a common biochemical of different parts of many tree species. Tannin can be found in the leaves, roots, seeds, wood, and other parts of the plants. Tannin is an antimicrobial chemical that helps plants to protect themself from bacteria and fungus.
Tannin is unpleasant and bitter. Some plants produce it in their leaves to protect themselves from herbivores.
Dogs are not used to eating plant parts naturally. Although they sometimes eat grass to fix their digestive issues. They can not digest and process tannin easily, leading to digestive discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Tannin can be more harmful to dogs when they consume it in large quantities. High tannin intake can cause kidney and liver issues in dogs. But luckily, pomegranate seeds do not have that much tannin that can cause complications like organ failure.
So, it’s okay to feed a few seeds of a pomegranate, but if somehow they eat one handful of pomegranate seeds, that will make them sick. Avoid feeding pomegranate seeds to your puppies, as they can be more sensitive to the tannin.
They can not digest more than 2-3 seeds of pomegranate easily.
Is pomegranate seeds good for dogs to eat?
A few pomegranate seeds with flesh can have benefits for your dog. But too many pomegranate seeds can cause digestive discomfort, vomit, and diarrhea.
You may see some dog-treated food products have pomegranate, so what is the case? If they can cause complications, why are they used in dog food?
Only the seed and peel part of pomegranates can make your dog sick. But the red juicy parts are actually beneficial for the dogs. Dog products have only pomegranate extracts and do not have tannin and fiber. So, it’s completely safe to feed food with pomegranate.
You should avoid feeding pomegranate to your puppy or dogs that have digestive issues. According to some recent studies, pomegranates have the power to heal mouth and teeth diseases in dogs.
In the future, you may find some safe pomegranate supplements for your dog, but for now, it is better to avoid feeding in large quantities. Also, many other fruits can be good sources of antioxidants for dogs. Such as, you can choose blueberry or blackberry for your dog.
However, it is best to talk with a vet or dog nutritionist to make a proper diet chart that fulfills every dietary requirement of your dog. This is essential as dog breeds may have different requirements for optimum growth.
What happens when dogs eat pomegranate seeds?
Pomegranate seeds have the antibacterial and antifungal bio-molecule called tannin, which is not suitable for dogs in large amounts. But what happens to your dog when they eat a lot of pomegranate seeds? Check out the following points.
Nothing:
Every dog is different, and they may have different digestive powers. Sometimes your dog can eat too many pomegranate seeds and show no signs of complications.
The possibility of nothing happening after eating pomegranate seeds is more in large breeds of dogs. But that does not mean you can feed pomegranate seeds to your dog whenever you want. They can still cause digestive complications later.
Vomit:
Within one hour of eating pomegranate seeds, your dog can start vomiting. Vomit happens when your dog’s digestive system can not process the tannin of pomegranate seeds and wants to remove that from the body as soon as possible.
Do not worry. Vomiting will solve the complication most of the time.
Diarrea:
When the dog can not process the tannin of pomegranate seeds, they cause diarrhea to the dog. Visit your vet if the diarrhea stays longer. In the later part of the article, we will discuss what you should do when your dog eats too many pomegranate seeds.
How much pomegranate should I give my dog?
You can give a few pomegranates to your dog without any issues. If it’s a puppy, don’t feed him more than one or two seeds. For juveniles to adults, you can choose between 3-5 seeds. Going over that can cause a risk of complications.
Sometimes dogs will not have vomit or diarrhea after eating a pomegranate, but they can have digestive discomfort that they can not express to you.
How often can they eat pomegranate seeds? You can feed it a couple of times a week without any issue, but it is not the type of food you will want to make a habit for your dog. Your dog may eat an entire pomegranate in your absence, which can lead to health complications.
What do I do if my dog ate pomegranate seeds?
So, your dog ate pomegranate seeds, and you want to know what you can do for safety? Firstly, do not panic. It can cause complications sometimes, but your dog will be okay in most cases. Here is what you can do when your dog eats too many pomegranate seeds.
Observe the dog for signs:
If you have already fed your dog a handful of pomegranate seeds by mistake. Or, if the dog ate some from the plate, don’t panic. You don’t need to rush to the hospital. But you will have to observe the dog for at least 4 hours. Look for signs of discomfort.
Encourage him to drink a lot of water:
Encourage your dog to drink a lot of water. Drinking a lot of water will help your dog to process the tannin of pomegranate seeds.
Let him vomit:
If your dog becomes sick and starts to vomit after eating pomegranate seeds, that’s usually a good sign. There is a good chance that the dog will feel better after releasing the tannin from the body.
Diarrea:
If your dog has diarrhea, keep an eye on the dog. Usually, it is not complicated, and your dog will feel well soon.
Electrolytes:
Make your dog drink electrolyte drinks to get back the electrolytes he lost from diarrhea and vomit.
Visit a vet:
If you notice your dog is not getting well after vomiting or diarrhea, stay longer. Visit a vet to avoid health complications.
You can do those things if your dog eats too many pomegranate seeds. Train your dog properly, so he does not eat anything without your permission. This will reduce the chances of eating toxic food, and you will be able to be free from a lot of hustle.
And remember, dog treatment is expensive enough to make a big hole in your pocket. That’s why we recommend having insurance for your dog to secure his life and your money.
Final Thoughts
A few pomegranate seeds will not cause any complications for your dog. But too many pomegranate seeds can cause health issues like diarrhea, vomit, and digestive discomfort. The high tannin causes those health issues, although dog food with pomegranate extract is safe.