Does Pineapple Stop Dogs Eating Poop?
If your dog eats poop, people may suggest giving him pineapple to stop the poop eating. Supposedly it makes poop smell or taste bad to your dog. It can’t hurt, but there’s no proof this works.
The best ways to feed pineapple are fresh or frozen. To feed fresh, prepare the pineapple as you would for yourself, removing the crown and outer skin and cutting around the hard inner core. Then, cut the flesh into bite-sized chunks and feed a few to your dog!
Frozen pineapple chunks are an easy way to incorporate pineapple into your dog’s diet. It’s best to thaw the frozen pieces slightly to soften them and help reduce the risk of choking. You could also consider blending them into a healthy meal topper smoothie for your pup (turmeric and ginger are good additions).
Pineapple holds spot number 3 on the Environmental Working Group’s Clean 15 2022 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ List (8). So if you can’t buy organic, regular pineapple should be okay.
What Are the Risks of Bromelain for Dogs?
Bromelain is a safe and effective medical treatment and supplement for most dogs. However, as with any medical intervention, its effectiveness will vary from dog to dog.
People looking into bromelain for dogs should consult their vets before adding the enzyme to their dogs’ health care routine. Moreover, dog owners should always take their dogs to the vet right away if they notice any sudden abnormalities or downturns in their dogs’ health.
Side effects of bromelain for dogs can include:
As good as bromelain can be for treating digestion problems in some dogs, it can create or aggravate those types of problems in other dogs.
Diarrhea is something for which to be especially vigilant, though it is likely to occur only when a dog has consumed too much bromelain.
Vomiting is another possible digestive problem that can arise with bromelain use. A dog reacting negatively to this enzyme may show other signs of being nauseated. Dog owners should also avoid bromelain for their dogs if they have ulcers.
In some instances, bromelain can thin dogs’ blood.
Because of that risk, bromelain should not be used if a dog is on blood thinners or has a history of blood disorders that result in blood thinning.
Additionally, bromelain use can result in tachycardia, a heart condition where the heart rate rises above normal. This condition is a grievous one that requires immediate medical attention.
Is Quercetin Safe for Dogs?
Quercetin is a very safe flavonoid and quercetin supplements for dogs with allergies are generally well tolerated.
Pet parents do need to be careful if their dogs are on medications that are metabolized through a certain pathway in the liver called the P450 pathway. These drugs include tramadol, amitriptyline, ondansetron, omeprazole, piroxicam, and Prozac (fluoxetine). Other drugs that can potentially cause an adverse reaction when given in combination with quercetin include blood pressure and heart medications such as amlodipine, enalapril, diltiazem, and furosemide.
If your dog is on medications, it is always best to ask your veterinarian if this supplement can be given along with their current medications.
Quercetin works to suppress inflammation and reduce the amount of histamine released in a dog’s body. This means that if a dog comes into contact with pollen or another potential allergen, he or she will be less itchy.
Quercetin can replace conventional drugs like Benadryl to help your dog feel better, but studies have shown varying response rates. This means that you may not notice quercetin working as quickly as Benadryl. However, it’s a natural and safe option and may be worth seeing how your dog responds and reacts to this supplement.
Many quercetin supplements also have bromelain present. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that is found in the pineapple plant. The purpose of bromelain is to help digest and breakdown proteins and has also been used to reduce inflammation in the body.
Quercetin with bromelain for dogs is an ideal combination due to the greater anti-inflammatory effects they have together versus using either one alone. This combination is used for acute or chronic inflammation in both people and dogs.