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Is half a pear safe for my 6 kg Chihuahua mix?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Yes, the flesh is safe, but you must remove the core and all seeds first. For a small dog, half a pear is a large portion and could cause stomach upset. Watch for signs of diarrhea or vomiting, and call your vet if you see them.

Pear — Food safety facts

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

Flesh is safe. Remove the core and seeds — seeds contain cyanide compounds.

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

Pear 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.

Why these cautions matter

Stone-fruit pits and some seeds release cyanide when crushed, and quite apart from that they are a choking and blockage hazard.

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

Open the full food page: Pear food facts →