There you are watching the Jungle Book again. Listening to Baloo sing about prickly pear which gets you thinking, should you try some? These are the Bare Necessities afterall. 

Prickly pears, also known as cactus pears or cactus fruit, are an incredible fruit that when ripe may be green, yellow or red. The trick is in the feel. It should be plump, feel heavier than it looks and the skin should be smooth (no wrinkles!), then you know you’ve gotten a good one. Now that your mouth is watering and Baloo is entering into the last stanza, should your dog try some of this new fruit too?

Sadly no. While considered non-toxic, prickly pears have spines or glochids, hairlike splinters, that can lacerate your dog’s mouth, throat and intestinal tract. These cuts along the digestive tract can lead to irritation, inflammation and infection. 

If your dog has eaten prickly pear monitor your pup for lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, drooping, constipation, and bloody stools. Should your pup show any symptoms, contact your vet.

To ensure your pet will live a long and healthy life, it is always a good idea to invest in pet health insurance. Preparing for the unexpected guarantees money is never an issue in keeping your pup healthy.