Are you snacking on delicious plums in the company of your four-legged companion and wondering, “Can dogs eat plums?”. Plums are a succulent snack mostly made of water, some minerals, and vitamins.
Dogs can eat them as long as they’re pitted and given in moderation. You must remove the seed or stone inside as it’s incredibly toxic for dogs.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- Are Plums Safe for Dogs?
- Are They Bad for Dogs?
- What Happens if Your Dog Swallows A Plum Pit?
- How to Offer Plums Safely to Your Dog
- How Many Plums Can Dogs Eat?
- Fruits That Are Safe For Dogs
Are Plums Safe For Dogs?
We know that in moderation, bananas, berries, and even dragon fruit are among the fruits dogs can eat safely, but what about plums?
The answer to whether dogs can eat plums is complicated. It all depends on the part of the plum your dog ate and the amount.
Dogs will munch on anything they can get their cute little paws on, sometimes resulting in unwanted situations that alarm owners. And plums are the kind of fruit you might not want to leave around the house.
Can They Eat the Flesh?
This part of the fruit is ok for dogs to eat. But note that the small and delicious plum has a high sugar content that can cause some health concerns if your dog eats it in large amounts.
Avoid giving plums to your dog intentionally, even if you’ve removed the pit. Too many plums can result in stomach upsets, and high sugar overload can cause major issues, even fatal ones in smaller dogs.
So, can dogs eat plum flesh? Yes, but we don’t recommend it.
Dried Plums
The sweet dried plums aren’t suitable for your dog, as they contain the highest amount of sugar. Dried or canned plums are full of added sugars, resulting in potential health issues such as obesity and stomach issues.
If your dog has some underlying conditions like diabetes, you should avoid giving them any sugary fruit as it can be highly lethal.
So, can dogs eat dried plums? The answer is a loud no.
The Plum Pit
In the rare cases when you decide to give your dog a taste of sweet plum, you must always take out the pit first. It’s the part of the fruit potentially poisonous to your furry buddy.
The pit contains low cyanogenic glycosides, more commonly known as cyanide. The amount in the plum pit can result in dire health conditions, such as kidney failure and even poisoning, leading to death.
If you let your dog eat the pit, you’ll put its life at risk.
Can Dogs Have Plum Juice?
Plum juice isn’t necessarily toxic to your dog, and giving them a small amount probably won’t cause any issues.
Remember that you should always be careful with the quantity, as too much plum juice can potentially cause some gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea. It’s best to consult your vet before giving any new foods to your pet.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Plums?
Cooked plums are a delicacy some humans enjoy, and they have a unique bitter taste. Also, they’re safe for dogs if you give them in moderation and not very frequently. Just remember to remove the pit and stems when you cook them.
The cooked plums should be free of artificial sugars or sweeteners like xylitol, as this is a sugar alcohol that’s harmful to dogs.
So, dogs can eat cooked plums as long as you remove the stem and seed and ensure the lack of additional sugars.
What About Cherry & Yellow Prunes?
The main reason this fruit is sweet and tasty hides in the natural sugars inside. Plums have very high sugar levels, including cherry and yellow plums.
While they can eat them, we advise against serving cherry plums to your pet. A plum of 60 grams contains 6 grams of sugar. In comparison, 60 grams of watermelon only have 4 grams of sugar, substantially lower.
Are Plums Bad for Dogs?
The answer is yes, to some extent. If your dog eats just a bite of the plum flesh, it probably won’t have any health issues.
But if your pawsome companion swallows the pit, this is a sign of alarm. Also, parts of the plant, including the leaves and stem, have a high amount of cyanide, and you should keep them away from your dog’s reach.
Sugar Levels
Can dogs eat plums even though the fruits contain sugar? The question is still debatable.
You should avoid plums as a daily food for your dog. Some fruits are ok in moderation, but plums contain a lot more sugar than apples or bananas.
Be mindful of sugar overload, as it can potentially disrupt your dog’s healthy lifestyle and cause serious concerns. Small amounts may be good for your dog, but you don’t want to leave a bag of plums lying around the house.
What Happens if Your Dog Swallows a Plum Pit?
There are multiple health hazards regarding the plum pit.
When your dog swallows it, the main concern is that it would chew it and break off small pieces, releasing amounts of toxic cyanide from the pit. Contact your vet immediately if this happens to your dog.
Choking Hazard
If your dog ate a plum pit, the main concern is a choking hazard. If swallowed whole, it can get stuck in your dog’s esophagus and cause them to choke and lose breath. That’s why removing any plums from the reach of your furry friend is a good idea.
A plum pit can also get stuck in the digestive tract. This is a more serious concern that causes intestinal blockage and can harm your dog’s life. The condition may even require surgery and a lengthy recovery process.
Cyanide Poisoning
Cyanide poisoning is a serious threat to your dog’s health, and you should treat it as such. If you’re still wondering, “Can dogs eat a plum seed?” the answer is absolutely no.
Plum seeds, stems, roots, or leaves can be lethal to your dog.
Some signs that your dog has cyanide poisoning include:
- Dilated pupils
- Dark red gums
- Difficulty when breathing
- Vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sudden shock
- Unresponsiveness
If these events occur, you shouldn’t hesitate to rush your pet to the vet at once.
Plum Toxicity in Dogs
Although the flesh is non-toxic and safe for your dog, plums can lead to toxicity when eaten whole. That occurs when your dog eats the plant’s pit, stem, root, or leaves. These parts contain toxins such as amygdalin, prunasin, hydrogen cyanide, and cyanogen, which can be deadly when ingested.
If such a situation happens to your dog, it’s vital to immediately take it to the nearest veterinary station. Your dog should undergo a full physical exam, lab work, and oxygen tests. This will help your vet diagnose the condition.
So, are plums dangerous for dogs? They certainly can be.
Treatment of Plum Toxicity
Depending on how much time has passed since your dog ate toxic parts of the plum, your vet will determine if decontamination is the right process and when to begin with it. Removing cyanide from your dog’s bloodstream is possible, and your vet will perform it by administering sodium nitrite or methylene blue intravenously.
This will create methemoglobin formation in your pet’s blood, bind to the cyanide, and form cyanmethemoglobin, a non-toxic compound that the liver will clear.
Your pup will most likely spend some time at the vet for monitoring and receive intravenous fluids and good dog probiotics to remove the toxins out of the bloodstream.
So, how many plums can a dog eat? It’s best if they don’t eat any.
How to Offer Plums Safely to Your Dog
When given in moderation and prepared safely, plums can be a healthy treat for your dog. Besides being high in sugar, they have some health benefits like being rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C.
Remember to wash the fruit and cut it into pieces before serving it to your dog. Always be careful and remove the pit, leaves, and stems. These are toxic to dogs, and you should avoid them.
So, are plums good for dogs? They can be, if you prepare and serve them the right way.
How Many Plums Can Dogs Eat?
If you’re adamant about giving your pup a piece of plum, ensure it’s just a tiny bit. Like all other treats, the amount shouldn’t exceed 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Be extra careful and remove all the toxic parts —the leaves, stem, and pit.
If you catch your dog in the act, you can try to induce vomiting. One of the best tips to make a dog throw up is to give them ½ to 1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 pounds of body weight by mouth. But you might want to leave that to your vet.
Fruits That Are Safe For Dogs
Safety is the number one concern when it comes to food and dogs. You need to be extremely careful with any new food you’re offering to your pet. Still, many fruits are safe for dogs in moderation, including:
- Cherry
- Apple
- Blueberry
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Banana
- Pear
- Strawberry
- Orange
- Raspberry
- Mango
- Pineapple
Can Dogs Eat Peaches?
Peaches are similar to plums as they contain a lot of fiber. Your furry companion can munch on the flesh as long as you wash and clean off the pits, leaves, roots, and stems. These parts are just as toxic as the plum tree’s components, and you shouldn’t give them to dogs.
So, can dogs eat plums and peaches? They can, as long as it’s just the flesh and in moderation. And peaches can be a nice addition to high-fiber food for dogs.
Famous Last Words
Plums and prunes aren’t suitable for your dog, so it’s best to avoid including this tasty fruit in your pup’s daily diet.
But you can still give them a piece of the flesh from time to time, as long as you clear the pit, stem, and leaves. These parts are toxic to our cuddle buddies, and even the smallest amount can lead to serious health complications.
So, can dogs eat plums? Yes, they can, but it’s best to avoid them.
