So, can dogs eat plums? You might have been eating some juicy plums and thought your dog might enjoy them as a treat. If people can eat plums, can dogs eat them too?
No, dogs can’t eat plums without getting sick. Even though ripe plum flesh is safe for dogs to eat, the pit & the rest of the plum plant are full of poisons, like cyanide.
Can Dogs Eat Plums?
So, can dogs eat plum? Plums aren’t as black and white as many fruits, which are either completely safe for dogs or completely dangerous for them. So, are plums good for dogs? The flesh of plums is safe for your pet dog to eat, and they may get some vitamins from them.
Can dogs eat plums without the pit? But the pit, stem, leaves, and the rest of the fruit contain plant compounds that are very dangerous to dogs. So, your dog can safely eat plum fruit on its own, but you should always cut it up and take out the other parts of the fruit to make sure it doesn’t get sick or choke.
Are Plums Bad For Dogs?
So, can dog eat plum? No, plums don’t always make dogs sick. As said, they are mostly water, and the flesh of the fruit doesn’t have anything like salt that could make your dog sick. The only thing that’s really bad about plums is the stone.
First of all, plum stones can cause dogs to choke, and they can also get stuck in their stomachs. Also, because one end of the stone is sharp, if your dog swallows it, it could hurt his throat or intestines.
Second, plum stones have a compound called amygdalin, which is found naturally in most fruit seeds and stones, such as those in peaches and cherries. When you crush a stone or a seed, amygdalin comes out. The body turns amygdalin into cyanide.
If you like crime shows or books, you probably already know that cyanide is very dangerous. Luckily, a single plum stone shouldn’t have enough cyanide to put your dog’s life in danger.
But it could make them sick, and as mentioned above, if they swallow a stone, your dog is likely to have stomach problems and blockages. One plum pit won’t kill a dog by poisoning it, but it could be a big choking hazard and put your dog in danger.
Why Are Plums Bad For Dogs?
Now, you know, can dog eat plums? It should be fine if your dog eats just a little ripe plum. The meat of a ripe plum is not dangerous for dogs.
But the rest of the plum plant is poisonous, like the flowers, stem, and roots. Cyanide is one of these poisons. Parts of the plum plant have cyanide, as well as prunasin, amygdalin, and cyanogen.
If a dog eats even a small amount of the poisonous parts of a plum, these are some of the most usual things that could happen:
- Breathing difficulties
- Stomach problems
- Tremors
- Vomiting
In the worst cases of plum poisoning, which happen when the toxins get into the bloodstream, dogs might end up with kidney failure or even die.
Related: CAN DOGS EAT PIZZA?
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Plums?
So, now you know can a dog eat plums or not. If you discover that your dog has consumed plums, then do something. Your first step should be to assess how much and which components of the fruit they consume.
A dog that sneaks a plum from a bowl. Then takes a bite without swallowing the pit probably won’t have any problems.
However, if they have eaten the plum pit or any other part of a plum plant, you should keep a close eye on them. Moreover, if they show any of the above discomforting indicators of plum poisoning.
Call your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the signs of plum poisoning in your dog. Or if you think they may have had more than a small number of plums. Your dog will probably need a proper examination further for additional signs of plum poisoning.
Sodium nitrite, given in an intravenous infusion, may be able to assist flush the cyanide out of your dog’s system.
FAQs: Can Dogs Eat Plums?
What Happens If My Dog Eats Plums?
The chemical amygdalin is present in plum pits, leaves, and stems. Hydrogen cyanide is an extremely toxic byproduct of the body’s metabolism of this chemical. Large doses of amygdalin, often known as plum poisoning, can cause cyanide poisoning in dogs.
How Much Plum Is Toxic To Dogs?
Although the toxin content of a single plum pit is insufficient to cause death in a dog, the risk of choking is significant. The plum’s pit, not the fruit itself, can be dangerous to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Plum Skin?
In most cases, eating flesh is a safe bet. Despite the foregoing, little exposure to plum flesh and skin is thought to be safe for dogs. Although it is possible for dogs to have food allergies to anything novel, it is highly unusual for a dog to have an allergy to plums. There may even be nutritional value in eating plums.
Can Dogs Eat Plums Or Prunes?
Dried plums, usually known as prunes, are toxic to dogs. However, the sugar and fiber content of even a single plum or prune can cause an upset stomach in your dog. However, you should remove the pit before drying where the cyanide concentrates.
Parvaiz Yousuf is a senior SEO writer and editor with an experience of over 6 years, who also doubles up as a researcher. With an MSc zoology degree under his belt and possessing complete Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge, he works as a science journalist for a US-based website and Asian Scientist (A Singapore-based magazine). He also works as Director of Wetland Research Centre, Wildlife Conservation Fund YPJK since 2018. Besides, he has several publications to his name on cancer biology and biochemistry in some reputed journals such as Nature & International Journal of Molecular Sciences, & magazines such as Science Reporter, BUCEROS BNHS, and has an abiding interest in ornithology. He also worked as a Research Associate for JK Policy Institute.