Can my dog eat pears?
Can dogs eat pears?Yes
Ripe flesh without the core, seeds and stalk, cut into small pieces.
Yes, dogs can eat pears. The ripe flesh provides fibre and vitamin C and has around 57 kcal per 100 g. Remove the core, seeds and stalk: the seeds contain traces of cyanide compounds, and the core can be a choking hazard. Tinned or jarred pears aren't suitable because of the sugar.
How much pear can your dog eat?
Enter the weight – the amount updates straight away. You can adjust age, activity and neutering below.
How the calculator works
- Daily requirement: Resting energy requirement 70 × 15 kg^0.75 ≈ 534 kcal × factor 1.6 ≈ 855 kcal.
- Treat allowance: at most 10% of that = 86 kcal for all treats combined.
- Calorie limit: 86 kcal ÷ 57 kcal/100 g = 151 g of pears.
- Guide value for dogs 10–25 kg: 2 × pear slice (approx. 1/8 of a pear) at 20 g each = 40 g (cautious guide value set by our editors).
- Recommendation: the smaller of the two, rounded down to half portions → 2 × 20 g = 40 g ≈ 23 kcal.
Sources: 10% rule from the WSAVA guide to treats · kcal value: USDA FoodData Central. Daily requirement as in the dog calorie calculator.
Result · 15 kg · Adult
Up to 2
× pear slice (approx. 1/8 of a pear) on a snack day
(≈ 40 g, 23 kcal)
Treat allowance 86 kcal (10% of 855 kcal) · 1 pear slice (approx. 1/8 of a pear) ≈ 20 g
Limited by: guide value
Here the guide value for dogs 10–25 kg sets the limit (cautious guide value set by our editors): at most 2 × pear slice (approx. 1/8 of a pear). In terms of calories, up to 151 g would be possible.
A cautious starting value set by our editors. The AKC considers a pear slice now and then safe for small dogs, but a whole pear too much.
This applies if it's the only snack that day – if your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
The app calculates recipes in grams, kcal and portions to suit your dog's weight, age, activity and allergies.Pears for dogs: amount by weight
| Weight | Maximum per snack day | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 1 pear slice (approx. 1/8 of a pear)≈ 20 g | ≈ 11 |
| 10 kg | 1 pear slice (approx. 1/8 of a pear)≈ 20 g | ≈ 11 |
| 20 kg | 2 × pear slice (approx. 1/8 of a pear)≈ 40 g | ≈ 23 |
| 30 kg | 3 × pear slice (approx. 1/8 of a pear)≈ 60 g | ≈ 34 |
| 40 kg | 3 × pear slice (approx. 1/8 of a pear)≈ 60 g | ≈ 34 |
- All snacks together no more than 10% of daily calories (WSAVA recommendation). If your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
- Guide value per weight class – small up to 10 kg, medium 10–25 kg, large over 25 kg: A cautious starting value set by our editors. The AKC considers a pear slice now and then safe for small dogs, but a whole pear too much.
What's in it
- Provides fibre, copper and vitamins C and K.
- Contains antioxidants such as flavonoids, lutein and zeaxanthin.
- One slice provides about 11 kcal (around 57 kcal per 100 g).
What to watch out for
- The seeds, stalk and leaves contain traces of cyanide compounds; in large amounts, the seeds are toxic.
- The core and stalk can cause choking or an intestinal blockage, especially in small dogs.
- Too much pear in one go can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or tummy ache, especially in dogs that aren't used to much fibre.
- The skin is harder for sensitive stomachs to tolerate.
- Tinned or jarred pears contain too much sugar.
How to prepare pears
How to do it
- Wash the pear, even if you leave the skin on
- Cut out the core, seeds and stalk generously
- Cut into bite-sized pieces and stay with your dog while it eats
- Peel it if your dog has a sensitive stomach
- Choose ripe pears; offer them chopped small as a topping, or puréed and frozen in a chew toy
Better not
- A pear core to gnaw on
- Tinned or jarred pears, even those “in their own juice”
- A whole pear in one go
- Fruit yoghurt with sugar or xylitol
How often?
Now and then as a snack in small pieces, not every day in large amounts. All treats together should stay below 10% of daily calories.
Frequently asked questions about pears
Can my dog eat pear seeds?
No. Pear seeds contain traces of cyanide compounds and are toxic in large amounts; your dog could also choke on them. One or two seeds eaten by accident are not an emergency, but they shouldn't end up in the bowl regularly.
Can my dog eat a pear core?
No. The core holds the seeds, and the firm core together with the stalk can cause choking or an intestinal blockage. Cut it out generously.
Can my dog eat pears with the skin on?
Yes, if the pear has been washed. The skin adds extra fibre but can upset sensitive stomachs. In that case, peel it – although some of the zeaxanthin is lost.
Can dogs eat tinned pears?
No. Tinned or jarred pears contain too much sugar, including the versions “in their own juice”. This can irritate the digestive tract and contribute to weight gain. Choose fresh, ripe pears instead.
Can dogs eat nashi pears?
Yes. Asian pears such as nashi are safe if you prepare them like ordinary pears: washed, without the core and in suitable portions.
Can my dog eat pear every day?
Better not in larger amounts. Pear is a healthy snack, but too much of it can upset the stomach. One or two slices on the odd day are fine for most dogs.
How much pear can a small dog eat?
According to the AKC, a pear slice now and then is fine for small dogs, but a whole pear is too much. The calculator on this page shows the exact amount for your dog's weight.
What should I do if my dog has eaten a pear core?
The seeds contain only traces of cyanide compounds and are only toxic in large amounts. The core can, however, get stuck in the throat or gut. Call your vet if your dog gags, vomits, won't eat, shows signs of abdominal pain or doesn't pass any faeces – with small dogs, better straight away.
How can I prepare pear for my dog?
Chopped small as a topping, puréed with banana or blueberries, or mixed with unsweetened natural yoghurt without xylitol and frozen in a chew toy. Leave out spices, sugar and syrup.
Similar foods
- YesFruitAppleWithout the core, seeds and stalk, cut into slices or small pieces.See the answer
- In moderationFruitBananaPeeled, sliced and, because of the sugar, only as a small snack.See the answer
- YesFruitBlueberryFresh or frozen, washed and without sugar, in small amounts.See the answer
- In moderationFruitPeachFresh flesh without the stone, stalk and leaves, in small pieces.See the answer
- In moderationFruitHoneydew melonRipe flesh without seeds or rind, sparingly because of the sugar.See the answer
- YesFruitWatermelonOnly the flesh, without the seeds or rind, in small cubes.See the answer
Sources
- Can Dogs Eat Pears? Are Pears Good for Dogs?: What to Know – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Can Dogs Eat Pears? Benefits, Risks, and Feeding Tips – PetMD (vet-reviewed)
- Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can't Eat – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Ingestion of Foreign Bodies in Dogs – VCA Animal Hospitals
- Pears, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 169118) – USDA FoodData Central (kcal value)
- Feeding treats to your dog – WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee (10% rule in the calculator)
Reviewed on · DoggoMeal editorial team
This page is no substitute for veterinary advice. Dogs with pre-existing conditions – for example of the kidneys, liver or pancreas, or with diabetes – and dogs with allergies often need their own rules. If your dog has symptoms or you're unsure, ask your vet.
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