My 8 kg dog stole a chunk of pineapple including the core at a BBQ — should I worry about the core?

Short answer

The flesh is fine in small amounts, but the core and spiky skin are the real problem. The core is tough, fibrous and difficult to digest — it can cause a blockage, especially in a dog this size. Watch for vomiting, straining to defecate, loss of appetite or abdominal pain over the next 24 hours. If he eats nothing else and seems otherwise happy, he may pass it without issue, but a persistent blockage needs X-rays and possibly surgery. Call your vet if he vomits repeatedly, becomes lethargic or his belly looks distended.

Pineapple — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Safe in small fresh pieces. Skip the spiky skin and core. Too much causes diarrhoea.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Pineapple is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Pineapple can turn up now and then, but not as a daily habit: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the next walk and the stool that comes with it.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Pineapple food facts page.

Open the full food page: Pineapple food facts →

My 8 kg dog stole a chunk of pineapple including the core at a BBQ — should I worry about the core?

Pineapple — Food safety facts

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