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Tailwise

Fruit

Can dogs eat pomegranate?

A little In moderation

Pomegranate isn’t toxic, but many dogs vomit after eating the seeds or rind. It’s best avoided or kept to a few seeds.

Why Tannins and fibre that can irritate the stomach

If your dog ate some

  1. A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
  2. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
  3. If a large piece of rind was swallowed, watch for signs of a blockage.

Signs to watch for

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Belly discomfort

How much, how often

A few seeds at most.

Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories

Serving it safely

  • Skip it — there are better fruit treats
  • Don’t give pomegranate juice or molasses
  • Pomegranate extract in dog food is a different, processed ingredient

Dogs and cats, side by side

Dogs In moderation

Pomegranate isn’t toxic, but many dogs vomit after eating the seeds or rind. It’s best avoided or kept to a few seeds.

How much: A few seeds at most.

Cats In moderation

A seed or two is unlikely to harm a cat, but there’s no benefit and it may upset the stomach.

How much: Not needed.

Can cats eat pomegranate?

The details

Pomegranate extract appears in some premium dog foods as an antioxidant, which leads owners to assume the fresh fruit is a good treat. The fruit itself is tough on many dogs’ stomachs. Blueberries or apple slices offer the same kind of benefit with far less upset.

Safer treats your dog can have instead

Questions owners ask

Can dogs eat pomegranate?

Pomegranate isn’t toxic, but many dogs vomit after eating the seeds or rind. It’s best avoided or kept to a few seeds.

How much pomegranate can a dog have?

A few seeds at most.

What makes pomegranate risky for dogs?

Tannins and fibre that can irritate the stomach.

What are the signs to watch for in dogs?

vomiting, diarrhoea, belly discomfort.

What should I do if my dog ate pomegranate?

A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell. If a large piece of rind was swallowed, watch for signs of a blockage.

Is pomegranate safe for cats too?

A seed or two is unlikely to harm a cat, but there’s no benefit and it may upset the stomach.

Sources

  1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: people foods to avoid
  2. Merck Veterinary Manual: food hazards
  3. WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines

Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts

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