Can dogs or cats eat pears?

Yes, pears can be a safe and nutritious addition to your dog's diet — but moderation is key.

Pears contain significant amounts of vitamins A and C, along with lots of dietary fiber. Vitamin A helps to strengthen your dog's immune system and to keep their vision sharp. Plus, it helps them maintain healthy skin and a healthy coat. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and plays a crucial role in maintaining your furry friend's overall health. And the dietary fiber in pears can help with your dog's digestion.

Although these benefits make pears sound like an ideal snack for your furry friend, you should only feed them pears sparingly. Like many sweet fruits, pears contain sugar, and even natural sugar can lead to obesity if it's eaten excessively over time. Plus, the fruit's high fiber content — while healthy in moderation — can lead to diarrhea if your dog eats the fruit in large enough quantities.

One other important note: Always remember to remove the seeds and core from the pear before serving it up; these parts of the fruit contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. (Well, cyanide is pretty toxic to humans too! But we can eat it in larger quantities without getting sick.)

Also, make sure you chop the pears up into small, bite-sized pieces so there’s no difficulty swallowing and no risk of choking.

As always, before introducing a new food item into your pet's diet, consult with your veterinarian first! If your dog eats pears (or any food) and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If they require veterinary care related to eating any unsafe foods, pet insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.