Before we jump directly to the answer to this question that ‘can dogs eat pomegranate’, you must note that it’s important to provide a balanced and nutritious diet for your dog, and it would be a lost cause if he doesn’t like the taste and refuses to eat it. When it comes to dietary choices, your dog is very similar to you. Smell, moisture level, textures, and distinct flavors all contribute to his dining pleasure.
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Dietary Changes
One of the most important aspects that separate cherished canine companions from their wolf forebears are dietary evolution. This adjustment in nutritional choices led to and corresponded with the domestication of wolves, making it simpler for humans and wolves to coexist. The domestic dog’s ability to break down particular carbohydrates has changed over time, resulting in nutritional preferences that are more similar to what humans eat. Their taste buds, on the other hand, nevertheless like many of the same flavors as wolves. Because of the fragrance, dampness, and taste sense, dogs prefer meat to other forms of food.
Senses of Taste
Dogs, like humans and other animals, have taste buds dedicated to various flavors in their food. Certain amino acids, notably L-proline and L-cysteine, which humans frequently characterized as “sweet,” stimulate the most taste buds in the dog’s tongue. Carrion’s sweetness or savory flavors stimulate other taste buds. Bitterness is a flavor component that dogs have a strong aversion to, which is pretty typical among animals.
Canned or Dehydrated
When offered the choice between canned and dry foods with substantially the same components, most dogs will choose the canned. This inclination is due to a number of factors, including the fact that dogs, like their wolf forebears, prefer moist and warm food, such as live kill. Canned food is frequently served at room temperature when the moisture enhances the meal’s aroma and flavor. Because of these preferences, you could discover that if you add some warm water to his kibble and let it sit for a few minutes, your dog will eat it more thoroughly.
Taste Comes With a Price
The value of taste and fragrance to a dog is well understood by dog food manufacturers. To make cheaper, lower-quality diets more appetizing to dogs, they commonly incorporate a variety of taste and odor enhancers. As a result, your dog may prefer a low-quality but highly tasty meal — similar to human junk food — to a nutritionally full, well-balanced mix. Always examine the dog food’s contents list and choose a formula with high-quality ingredients. It doesn’t imply you should feed it to your dog just because he enjoys it.
Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate
The Lythraceae family includes pomegranates. The pomegranate season runs from October through February. Despite the fact that the fruit is high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber, we prefer it for its flavor more than its nutritional benefits. Who isn’t captivated by the delectable flavor of this fruit?
What a treat it would be if our dogs could partake in this delectable fruit as well. Most of the people who always remain extra conscious of their pet’s diet keep asking can dogs eat pomegranates? Is it true that pomegranates are hazardous to dogs? Let’s have a look.
1. Is Pomegranate Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Yes, dogs can eat pomegranates in theory. Pomegranates are members of the Lythraceae family, and anything from this family is deemed safe for dogs, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Pomegranate seeds are not hazardous to dogs, according to society.
This, however, never entails throwing a full raw pomegranate at your dog. Pomegranates, when consumed in excessive quantities and in large chunks, can induce gastrointestinal difficulties such as vomiting and diarrhea. After a gastrointestinal upset, the dog will most likely vomit the pomegranate.
Pomegranate seeds, like corn, contain a chemical called tannin, which can cause all of your dog’s negative effects. Large levels of tannins in a serving of food can cause digestive difficulties in dogs, such as loose stools and vomiting. Another crucial point to remember is that a piece of food can choke on the pomegranate peel. As a result, you must exercise caution while creating food for your dog that contains pomegranate.
2. Pomegranate Health Benefits
- Pomegranate has a high nutritional content. It has been studied in order to determine its utility for dogs, and preliminary data show that it contains a high amount of vitamin C, which is beneficial to your dog’s health.
- Pomegranates have a moderate quantity of calories, 83 per 100 g of fruit, which is just slightly more than apples.
- There are no cholesterol or saturated fats. Punicalagin and Granatin B are two ellagitannin chemicals found in abundance. According to research, these nutrients reduce the risk of heart disease by eliminating toxic compounds from the body.
You should feed your dog a portion of food intended for human consumption that is also helpful to your dog whenever possible. Because this fruit has so lot to offer in such a small bite, feeding it to your dog on occasion is an excellent idea. Dogs should not consume human food all of the time, but if they are able to do so safely, a minor boost in vitamins and nutrients is typically a good idea.
Pomegranates are a healthy treatment option for your dog because of their low-calorie content, lack of saturated fat, and lack of cholesterol. If you have to choose between bacon and pomegranate, the fruit will be considered the healthier option! Bacon is a greasy, high-fat, high-calorie junk food that has been linked to heart disease.
3. Pomegranate as a Dog Food Ingredient
Some well-known dog food manufacturers have utilized pomegranate as an ingredient. One of Farmina’s staple dog food recipes, for example, includes dried pomegranate. This Italian dog food firm provides a number of scientific research about the ingredients in their dog food on their website.
In another study, it was shown that pomegranate peel extract functions as a probiotic for your dog’s gut. It also helps them digest food better. However, the study is unsettling because it was conducted on only a few dogs, and the findings cannot be extended to all dogs.
You can avoid the fruit directly, but if an excellent dog food formula with various health advantages is available for your dog, you should take advantage of it.
4. Symptoms Your Dog Might Have After Consuming Pomegranate
Some dogs may become ill after eating pomegranates, while others may not notice any change. However, if you have any doubts that your dog has eaten some of this tasty but poisonous fruit, keep an eye out for the indicators listed below. Encourage your dog to consume as much water as possible. The pomegranate is usually vomited out by the dogs.
It is not required for the dog to display signs of indigestion or stomach discomfort. Depending on your dog’s digestive health, he may or may not get sick after eating a pomegranate.
Lastly, always remember that giving your dog too much new food might cause intestinal problems and should be avoided. The disadvantages may outweigh the benefits in this scenario. A handful of dried pomegranate seeds, a teaspoon of mashed pomegranate, or a few dry pomegranate seeds will thrill your dog at any time.
Ask your holistic veterinarian or a pet nutritionist if pomegranate juice is right for your dog before adding it to his or her diet.
Also Read: Is Dog food a substitute for cat food?
