Pineapple

Pineapples are sold fresh and processed into cut fruit, cans and juice. Trimming separates the edible flesh from the crown, peel and core. The flesh is perishable, so processors prepare it for use or dry it for storage.^7,8

1. 01 // Source Ripe fruit Whole pineapples supply edible flesh for fresh and processed fruit products.
2. 02 // Process Peeled and trimmed Processors separate the edible flesh from the crown, spiny peel and tougher core.
3. 03 // Process Prepared or dried Fruit is cut or pureed for use, or dried to reduce water and extend storage.
4. 04 // Output Prepared pineapple The edible fruit reaches the food maker as prepared fruit rather than peel or pineapple bran.

1. 01

   Adds fruit flavor

   Pineapple supplies a sweet, tart taste and sugars that contribute energy. The label does not say how much fruit the recipe contains.^5,9

2. 02

   Adds some fiber

   Edible flesh contains dietary fiber, but sugars make up much more of its dry weight. Its effect on stool depends on the amount used.⁵

3. 03

   Keeps once dried

   Fresh pineapple is highly perishable and spoils fast after harvest. Drying lowers its water activity and extends shelf life, which turns the fruit into an ingredient that keeps.⁸

How much The ingredient list gives pineapple's rank by starting weight; that rank alone does not reveal its percentage in the recipe.⁹

1. Brands say

   Bromelain in pineapple helps dogs digest protein

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A crossover trial in 14 healthy dogs found no digestibility gain from an enzyme blend containing bromelain. It tested a supplement, not pineapple fruit. A laboratory study also found that heating sharply reduced fruit bromelain activity.^1,6

2. Brands say

   Pineapple fiber keeps stools firm

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   Raw flesh has about 10% dietary fiber on a dry matter basis. A trial in 22 shelter dogs found better stools with a high fiber diet, but it used other fiber sources. That result cannot predict pineapple's effect.^3,5

3. Brands say

   Pineapple vitamin C boosts canine immunity

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A crossover study gave 15 dogs purified vitamin C and found small, mixed changes in immune markers. It did not feed pineapple. Dogs also make their own vitamin C, so a pineapple listing does not demonstrate an immune benefit.^2,5

4. Owners say

   Pineapple stops dogs eating poop

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A survey with 1,552 owner responses found no link between stool eating and diet, but did not test pineapple. PDSA says evidence does not support the pineapple remedy. Neither source shows that it treats the behavior.^4,13