Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate? No — It's Best to Avoid It
No, it is best not to give your dog pomegranate. The fruit is not toxic, so a few seeds licked off the floor are unlikely to poison anyone, but the AKC advises against feeding it. The seeds are hard for dogs to break down and commonly cause vomiting or diarrhea, and the tough rind and stem can cause an intestinal blockage, especially in small dogs. Here is what to do if your dog got into one.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read2 sources
Why pomegranate is a poor choice for dogs
Pomegranates are not on the list of fruits that poison dogs, such as grapes and raisins. The AKC is clear, though, that not toxic is not the same as safe: it recommends avoiding fresh pomegranate altogether. The jewel-like arils each hold a hard seed that dogs do not break down well, and many dogs vomit or get diarrhea after eating them.
The bigger risk is the leathery rind and the woody crown and stem. A dog that chews on a whole pomegranate can swallow chunks that do not soften in the stomach. In a dog under 20 lb, a piece the size of a quarter can be enough to lodge in the intestine.
If your dog ate pomegranate seeds or rind
A dog that ate a few arils will most likely be fine, perhaps with a little vomiting or loose stool over the next day. Give fresh water, skip treats, and keep meals plain. The AKC suggests calling your vet whenever a dog has eaten pomegranate seeds or rind, so they can advise based on your dog's size and how much was eaten.
Call promptly if your dog ate rind, the crown, a whole fruit, or a large bowl of seeds, and especially if your dog is small. If your regular clinic is closed, contact the nearest emergency vet. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
If you like to share small snacks, a lick mat or a treat ball makes a little go further and slows a fast eater down.
Signs of a blockage to watch for
Watch your dog closely for two to three days after it eats rind or a large amount of seeds. Warning signs include repeated vomiting, retching with nothing coming up, drooling, a tense or painful belly, a hunched posture, straining to pass stool or passing none, and refusing food.
Any of these means your dog needs to be seen today, because a blockage can need surgery. A single episode of vomiting followed by a dog that is bright, eating and passing normal stool is reassuring, but call your vet if anything worsens.
Pomegranate products to keep away
Chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds are unsafe on two counts: the seeds, and the chocolate, which is toxic to dogs. If your dog ate them, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply. Pomegranate juice and molasses are concentrated sugar, and pomegranate salads and grain bowls often include onion or garlic.
Some commercial dog foods list pomegranate as a minor ingredient, usually as an extract. That is different from feeding the fresh fruit and is not a reason to share arils at home. Keep pomegranate rinds in a lidded trash can or a compost bin your dog cannot open.
Puppies and small dogs
Puppies and small breeds are the most at risk from pomegranate because their intestines are narrow and they tend to swallow first and chew later. A puppy that finds a whole fruit in a holiday centerpiece or grocery bag can do real damage in a few minutes.
Keep pomegranates on high counters during the fall and winter months when they are in season, and pick up any dropped arils while you are seeding one. If a puppy has eaten any rind, call your vet straight away.
Common questions
Are pomegranates toxic to dogs?
No, pomegranates are not toxic to dogs. They are still not recommended, because the seeds often cause vomiting or diarrhea and the rind and stem can cause an intestinal blockage, especially in small dogs.
My dog ate a few pomegranate seeds. What should I do?
A few seeds are unlikely to cause serious harm. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea or belly pain over the next day, offer water, and call your vet if your dog is small, ate a lot, or seems unwell.
Can dogs eat pomegranate rind?
No. The rind is tough and fibrous and can cause an intestinal blockage. If your dog ate any rind, call your vet and watch closely for repeated vomiting, straining or loss of appetite over the next few days.
Can dogs drink pomegranate juice?
It is best not to. Pomegranate juice is high in sugar and offers nothing your dog needs. A lick spilled on the floor is unlikely to matter, but do not pour it for your dog.
Why is pomegranate in some dog foods?
Some dog foods include small amounts of pomegranate, usually as an extract, as one ingredient among many. That is very different from feeding the fresh fruit with its seeds and rind, which the AKC recommends avoiding.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
