In this post:
Yes and No. Small flashes of fresh peach are safe for your dog to eat, and they contain vitamin A and fiber, which can be healthy. However, they can also be harmful to your dog as they carry amygdalin, known as the peach stone, which causes stomach illness and temporary diarrhea to the dog.
In this article, I’m going to explain to you how to feed them this fruit, without putting your dog’s health in danger.
Peaches are a great snack, being tasty and low in calories at the same time
Peaches are healthy not only for humans but also for dogs. They’re rich in minerals, fiber, and Vitamins A and C, and can help improve your dog’s coat and skin. This fruit is a great supplement if you’re looking to boost your dog’s immune system, and are also believed to have positive effects in fighting infections and healing wounds.
Furthermore, thanks to their fiber content, peaches can also help your dog’s bowels.
Another benefit of peaches is that they can become a sweet treat with fewer calories, so they can be useful during training sessions when you need to offer your dog some motivating rewards every time she’s responded well to your commands.
👉 Related reading: Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?
Never feed your dog peach pits
While peaches are a healthy way of treating your dog, the pits are dangerous and must be avoided. Peach pits contain cyanide, and even if the quantity inside one or two pits won’t kill you, it still could be high enough to harm your dog.
If you suspect your dog has eaten peach pits, watch her closely to detect in time any symptoms of poisoning:
- difficulty breathing;
- dilated pupils;
- dizziness;
- excessive drooling;
- heavy panting.
If you notice any of these signs, take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible and explain your concerns.
These pits are also dangerous because your dog might find them entertaining, and she might try to play with one. Peach stones can break one of your dog’s teeth, or if swallowed by a small dog, could cause a blockage in the intestines.
To avoid incidents, keep all peaches and similar fruits out of your dog’s reach, and never leave pits in the garbage can if your dog has easy access to it.
How to safely feed your dog peaches
As with all fruits, wash peaches thoroughly before giving them to your dog, as much of the fresh produce sold in supermarkets these days can have traces of pesticides on their skin. Some people prefer to peel fruits to make sure they don’t ingest chemical substances by accident, but I see this as a personal choice rather than a must.
Peaches usually go moldy faster than other fruits, so check well before eating and don’t consume any fruit that has signs of mold or rot. These organisms have microscopic filaments that spread all over the fruit, so don’t be tempted to remove the damaged part and use the rest, as what seems clean could be already contaminated.
Can dogs have peaches in large quantities?
Likes any sweet treat, peaches can harm your dog if you give her too much, so introduce this new food gradually into your dog’s diet. Start with a thin slice, because having too much peach right at the beginning may cause your dog diarrhea. You’ll also see similar effects if you feed her too much peach at one time, so don’t give her more than a few slices a day.
For making treats, you can use fresh or dehydrated peaches. In both cases, cut slices into small portions – these rewards should be approximately the size of a pea – to avoid giving her too much fruit.
If you think using peaches as treats is a good idea, but you don’t have time to prepare them at home, you could try some organic products. Never use canned peaches, though. Most of them are full of preservatives and have a high sugar content, generated by the syrup in which the fruit is kept. Both these ingredients will do your dog more harm than good.
Can dogs eat nectarines?
Nectarines and peaches are almost identical, so they’re not dangerous for dogs either. All cautions you have to take with peaches should also be considered when dealing with nectarines. Their stones are dangerous and can poison your dog, while too much pulp can cause diarrhea.
Conclusion
Giving your dog a few slices of peach is a great idea, as they have a range of benefits for her immune system and her coat. I think it’s a good idea to let her try this delicious fruit every now and then, especially if you use it as a treat.
