There are many fruits and vegetables that are not only safe for dogs to eat but are also extremely healthy for them, providing both essential nutrients and fiber to their diets. However, not all fruits are healthy for dogs so you might be wondering whether plums are good, bad, or just OK for dogs.
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Are Plums Safe For Dogs?
Plums aren’t necessarily toxic to dogs but they do pose a few risks. For starters, their pits are often quite sharp, which can damage a dog’s internal organs including the stomach, intestines, and esophagus. Also, the pits can become an obstruction in the intestinal tract.
Cyanide Poisoning
When we think of cyanide poisoning, we tend to think of chemical preparations such as rat poison. However, cyanide is a compound that occurs naturally in many fruit seeds and pits, including plum pits.
When crushed, the pits release their natural cyanide, and this is extremely toxic to dogs. If they chew on a pit, they are likely to have some degree of cyanide poisoning. If you find that your dog has eaten a plum pit, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately.
High Sugar Content
The flesh of a plum isn’t necessarily unhealthy for dogs, but most experts don’t recommend giving it as a treat on a regular basis. The fruit is safe as long as it is ripe but not overripe, and not moldy or fermented.
The problem with too much plum is that plums have a high amount of sugar. Too much sugar can lead to obesity in dogs, which in turn can lead to a variety of other serious health problems, including diabetes and heart disease.
More Reasons To Avoid Plums
If cyanide poisoning and diseases caused by sugar aren’t enough to scare you away from giving plums to your dog, here are a few more reasons to consider.
- Digestive Issues – Plums can cause diarrhea and other digestive issues in dogs, because of their natural sugars
- Choking Hazard – Not only is the pit poisonous to dogs, it can also pose a serious choking hazard
- Intestinal Obstruction – The pits can cause intestinal obstructions, causing an accumulation of gas, leading to intestinal swelling and decreased blood supply
My Dog Accidentally Ate A Plum Pit
If you think that your dog has eaten a plum pit, you should review the remains of what they have devoured to find out what parts have been ingested. If they did not eat the pits, your dogs will likely be fine and there will likely not be any severe symptoms to worry about.
However, if you think that they have ingested the pits, it is important to contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice any adverse symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea.
No, Dogs Can’t Eat Plums
Even though it is not a good idea to feed plums to your dog, there are plenty of fruits that are perfectly safe for them to eat in moderation like apples, oranges, kiwis, or watermelons. Ask your veterinarian about healthy fruits and vegetables that you can start giving to your dog.
Not only are these safe treats, they are also healthy and loaded with nutrients that your dogs need in their diets.