If you have a dog at home, you’ve probably fed them scraps from the table once or twice. Most vets advise against giving your dog food outside of its regular diet. There are some foods that can be good for your dog. One type of fruit that many people ask about for their dog is peaches. Peaches are a delicious, healthy fruit, but are they good for your dog? Can dogs eat peaches?
Today, we’ll be going over whether or not peaches can be part of your dog’s diet. Read on to find out more!
Canines are carnivores, which means they primarily need meat to survive and stay healthy. However, domestic dogs have adapted their stomachs to be able to digest many other things including vegetables, grains, and even fruit. Peaches are a fibrous snack, which may be good just as good for your pet as it is for you.
Can Dogs Eat Peaches?
Yes! Your dog can enjoy peaches as a small portion of their diet.
In fact, there are many fruits your dog can eat, including nectarines. As a treat, these kinds of fruits make for a delicious alternative to store-bought options. We love our dogs, we’re sure you do, too!
Both peaches and nectarines are similar, with a soft skin and juicy meat, and both contain a hard pit. However, the pit is poisonous and should not be consumed by your pet. Below is a quick guide to a few common fruit that your dog can eat. Feel free to look up more foods that are good for your dog on your own as well!
Quick Guide: Fruits Your Dog Can Eat
- Peaches- Without the pit
- Nectarines- Without the pit
- Apples– Without the core
- Bananas– Without the peel
- Watermelon– Without the rind
- Oranges– Without the rind
- Pineapples– Without the rind
- Pears- Without the seeds or stem
- Mangos- Without the pit
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
It’s usually recommended that you leave out rinds, pits, seeds, and stems when giving your dog a fruit treat. You should also make sure to give your dog small portions. Even though the fruit listed above is good for your dog, they should still eat fruit in moderation! This is especially important for small dogs and dogs that struggle with weight control.
Health Benefits From Peaches For Dogs
Did you know that you and your dog benefit in similar ways from peaches? It’s true! So when you give your dog a small bowl of diced up peaches without the pit, you can eat one too and you’ll both benefit. We love giving our dogs treats, so why shouldn’t they be healthy too? Here are a few ways dogs benefit from eating peaches.
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- Low Calorie- Good For Weight Control
Peaches are low calorie, which is great for dogs who have weight issues. Some breeds that tend to suffer from weight problems include labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, pugs, terriers, bulldogs, spaniels, boxers, St.Bernards, dachshunds, and basset hounds. With age, you dog may also gain weight more easily as well. This can occur with any breed.
Peaches are usually between 35 and 50 calories each. Which is a very low calorie, high fiber, and high water content snack for both you and your dog! So, in the morning you can your dog can enjoy a peach treat for breakfast. Even if your dog struggles with weight gain, you can count on peaches for a healthy treat.
- Improve Cardiovascular Health
Peaches are rich in phenols, which are a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants are great for overall health, but especially heart health. Some dogs are prone to heart conditions, and peaches can be a great treat to help them stay healthy for longer.
Antioxidants can help to increase blood flow, health, circulation, and so much more. With store bought treats, you won’t be able to control what goes into them. When you buy peaches, you know what they are. Instead of guessing, you can just give your dog a one ingredient treat- a peach.
- Keep Their Fur Shiny And Healthy
Your dog’s fur coat should be silky, soft, and shiny when they are healthy, depending on the breed. To help encourage your dog’s coat to stay healthy, especially as they age, you can turn to peaches as a natural resource. There are high levels of vitamins A, B, E, K folate, and fiber in peaches, all of which can contribute to healthier fur.
Just like healthy hair is important for you, it’s important for your dog to have healthy hair. If you need your dog small amounts of peach a few times a week, you should notice better coat health in no time!
- Remove Worms In The Intestines
Peaches have natural compounds that combat parasites in the digestion tract. Dogs can often suffer from worms, which can cause damage. Signs of worms include unexplained weight loss, low energy, pot-bellied appearance, dull coat, appetite changes, and more. While you should visit a vet for help, you can feed your dog peaches leading up to your appointment to help control the presence of worms in your dog’s digestive tract.
- Inhibit Tumor Growth
Reduce your dog’s chances of getting tumors by feeding them peaches! Believe it or not, peaches have been known to inhibit the growth of certain tumors. Our dogs health is important to us, which is why we try to do everything we can to keep them happy and healthy. You can include peaches in your dog’s diet to help reduce the chance of developing cancer and stop tumor growth in its tracks. Just be sure to leave out the peach pit when giving it to your dog!
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Those are just a few of the benefits you can help your dog receive when you feed them peaches. Since peaches are full of vitamins and minerals, there are many more benefits dogs may receive from eating peaches as a treat.
Warning: Peach Pits Can Poison Your Dog
Fruit with pits are poisonous to your dog. This includes cherries, plums, apricots, nectarines, and peaches. This is because peach pits contain cyanogenic glycosides, a type of cyanide. Cyanide is a type of poison which is bad for you and your dog. Neither you nor your dog should ever eat the pit of a peach. Your dog could suffer from liver and kidney damage from a peach pit.
Cyanide works by slowing enzymes down in your dog’s blood that are important for transporting oxygen. This can be dangerous, if not fatal in some rare cases. Other hazards of eating a peach pit include choking and digestive tract blockage, both of which can also be fatal. In any case, peach pits should be avoided at all costs.
Symptoms Of Toxicity In Dogs
If your dog has or you think they may have eaten a pit, you should observe them to see if they’re exhibiting symptoms. Some symptoms are observable and others are not. Contact a veterinarian if your dog exhibits any of the symptoms listed below.
Symptoms:
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- Abdominal pain
- Anorexia (Underweight)
- Breathing Problems
- Bright Red Gums
- Cardiac Arrest (Heart Attack)
- Coma
- Confusion
- Convulsions (Seizures)
- Coughing
- Dehydration (Thirst)
- Diarrhea
- Dilated Pupils
- Fever
- Gas
- Excessive Drooling
- Hyperventilating
- Lethargy
- Panting
- Shivering
- Shock
- Skin Irritation
- Vomiting
- Weakness
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My Dog Swallow A Peach Pit! What You Should Do Next
First things first: Do not panic. The most important thing to remember is not to panic. Your dog can sense how you’re feeling and panic as well. You want to keep your dog calm by remaining calm yourself. If your dog has swallowed a peach pit and exhibits one or more of the signs above, follow the guide below.
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- Step One: Assess Your Dog
If you haven’t already, check your dog for symptoms. If you’re not sure if they ate a pit or not and they aren’t experiencing symptoms, you should be okay to wait and monitor them. If they develop symptoms, call your veterinarian. If you’re sure your dog ate a peach pit, you should call right away. The most common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems, drooling, weakness, and panting.
- Step Two: Call A Vet
If your dog is exhibiting symptoms, you’ll need to call a veterinarian. Make sure you have a trusted veterinarian to visit for your dog, that way you can remain calm and trust your vet. Call them immediately and explain the situation. Also tell them about your dog’s symptoms. They will likely recommend you bring your dog in, because peach pit poisoning is an emergency.
- Step Three: Take Your Dog To The Vet
Next, take your dog to the vet. You may need to help them walk or carry them if your dog is small. Bring them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Acting quickly is important. You should still remain calm and positive! Keep an eye on your dog till you arrive at the vet clinic. Help your dog inside or have someone else help you.
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Your vet will then assess your dog. They will do a full exam including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, temperature, height, weight, and reflexes. They will also check your dog’s medical history as well. They may also do blood gas, urinalysis, blood count, kidney and liver tests, and sometimes X-rays. Biopsies may also be needed to determine the amount of kidney and liver damage.
You vet may also decide to treat your dog with medication. You’ll need to take extra caution and care of your dog in the future, as peach pit poisoning can be fatal and your dog’s kidneys and liver likely suffered some damage if a peach pit was swallowed.
How To Feed Your Dog Peaches Safely
Since peaches are great for dogs without the pit, you should include them in your dog’s diet. We love to spoil our dogs, especially when it benefits them.
To feed your dog a peach, first wash the peach and cut it in half. Then, remove the pit, dice it into small cubes, and then serve it to your dog! It’s that simple and easy to treat your dog! You should use your judgment to determine how often you give your dog peaches and how much. Your dog is safe to eat the peel and meat of the peach, but never your dog the pit.
General Guide:
As a general rule, don’t give your dog peaches more than three times a week.
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- Small Dogs- ¼-½ cup per serving
- Medium Dogs- ½-1 cup per serving
- Large Dogs- 1-1½ cups per serving
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For the best benefits for your dog, you should choose pitted raw peaches. Dicing them up into small bite-sized chunks for your dogs is a good idea too. It will aid in digestion and encourage your dog to try them! Take care when chopping as well.
All other forms of peaches should not be given to your dog. This includes canned peaches, dried peaches, peach jam, peach preserves, peach juice, etc. While canned or peach preserves sound like a good alternative to fresh peaches, they should not be eaten by your dog. They contain a lot of sugar. Sugar is not good for your dog’s health, so stick to fresh and raw peaches! You may also use frozen peaches as an alternative.
Peach Delight Dog Treat Recipe
If you want a fun way to feed your dog peaches, here is a peach dog treat recipe for you! These treats can be made and stored for up to one month. You should store the treats in a container, such as a sealed bag or jar. Your dog will love them, and they’re safe for you to eat too (but you may not like them as much as your dog will)!
Ingredients:
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- Raw or Frozen Peaches 1 ½ cups
- Unsweetened Honey 1 tbs
- Organic Peanut Butter 1 tbs
- Flour 2 ¼ cups
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Tools:
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- Cutting Board
- Potato Peeler
- Knife
- Food Processor Or Blender
- Cookie Cutters
- Bowl
- Baking Sheet
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Step-by-Step
- Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees. You should give your oven at least 15 minutes to warm up to the right temperature for cooking.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your dog treats don’t stick to the tray. Set the baking sheet aside.
- Then, start by peeling your fresh peaches on a cutting board. Cut them in half and remove the pits as well. You can then dice them up. If you’re using frozen peaches, they should be peeled, pitted, and diced as well.
- Next, puré the peaches until smooth. You can use a blender or a food processor. Make sure that there are little to no chunks left. If they’re not blending well, add a small amount of water.
- Pour the peach mixture into a bowl and add the flour, honey, and peanut butter. Knead the ingredients with clean hands until the mixture starts to form a dough. Add flour is the mixture is too sticky.
- You can next transfer the dough to a clean, flour-coated surface. Roll the dough out to the desired thickness, depending on how thick you want your dog treats to be.
- Then, use a cookie cutter to cut out dog treat shaped. Consider your dog’s size when choosing a treat size. We think heart-shaped treats are cute!
- Transfer the treats to the baking sheet. You don’t have to worry how close together the treats are, because they don’t spread.
- Place the treats in the oven and bake them for 30-40 minutes.
- Take them out of the oven and allow them to cool before giving some to your pet. Store the rest in a container, such as a jar with a lid. Store for up to one month.
Your dog will love the treats, and you’ll know exactly what’s inside them! Peaches are such a great source of vitamins and minerals. You can help your dog live a long, healthy life by introducing peaches as a treat alternative. Be sure to check out other ways you can introduce dog-friendly fruit into your dog’s diet as well.
Can Dogs Eat Peaches – The Final Verdict
Can dogs eat peaches? The answer is yes! Your dog can enjoy peaches as part of the regular diet and as a treat. It’s important to know what your dog can and cannot eat to keep them safe and healthy. You should also remember that while peaches are good for your dog, peach pits are not. They contain cyanide which isn’t good for you or your dog. If your dog eats a peach pit, remember to call the vet right away.
There are lots of great ways to include peaches in your dog’s diet too! Try our recipe above and see what you think. Comment below what you thought of our recipe, and if your dog liked it!
Remember, fresh peaches are always best for your dog. We hope your enjoyed this article and find more that you like on our page!
