Juicy and sweet peaches can be a delicious summer treat and your source of essential vitamins and minerals. If you like to eat peaches you’re probably wondering is it safe to share a bite of this lush fruit with your pooch.
So, can dogs eat peaches? Yes, dogs can eat peaches as treats. Peaches are full of vitamins and minerals that can boost your dog’s immune system. However, the peach pit contains trace amounts of cyanide which is toxic to dogs. The pit also poses a choking hazard, so you must remove it before feeding peaches to your dog.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the pros and cons of feeding peaches to your dog. Keep on reading to find out more!
Are Peaches Good for Dogs?
Peaches are completely safe for dogs to eat and can serve as a healthy summer snack.
Peaches contain vitamins A and C, and antioxidants that can improve your dog’s overall health. They are also a good source of minerals, including potassium, iron, and magnesium.
Fresh peach is low in calories and fat, but high in fiber and can promote healthy digestion. As long as you serve peaches properly and in moderation, they can be a healthy summer treat for your pooch.
Benefits of Peaches for Dogs
Including peaches in your dog’s diet can be beneficial for their overall health. Let’s check out what are the biggest benefits this tasty fruit has to offer to your dog:
1. Peaches Support a Strong Immune System
Peaches are a good source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps repair and build tissues inside your dog’s body. Furthermore, vitamin C helps eliminate free radicals that cause damage to cells, thus boosting your dog’s immune system and making it more resilient to diseases (source).
2. Peaches Prevent Night Vision Issues
Like other orange fruits and vegetables, peaches contain vitamin A and beta carotene. Vitamin A is involved in several functions inside your dog’s body supporting healthy skin and good eye health, and offering protection against some forms of cancer.
3. Peaches Promote Bone Health
Fresh peaches are rich in potassium, which is one of the most important minerals in your dog’s diet. Calcium, phosphorus, and potassium all work together to promote bone and teeth health in dogs.
Additionally, potassium also improves your dog’s digestion and promotes better nutrient absorption, and boosts your dog’s brain health and cognitive function.
4. Peaches Support Healthy Digestion
Like many other fruits and veggies, peaches are an excellent source of dietary fiber which is necessary for proper digestion. Eating fiber-rich food can help bulk up your dog’s stool and regulate their bowel movement.
Furthermore, the extra fiber found in peaches can help keep your dog’s tummy full in between meals.
Risks of Peaches for Dogs
While peaches are safe for dogs to eat, your pooch can still experience certain side-effects from eating this juicy fruit. Some of the most common risks of feeding peaches to dogs are:
1. Upset Stomach
Like many other fruits, peaches are high in sugar, which can cause short-term and long-term problems in dogs. If your pooch eats too many peaches, the excess sugar from the fruit can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea.
If your dog shows any signs of stomach upset, stop feeding them peaches and give their digestive system time to recover. If your pup’s symptoms last more than a full day, talk with your vet and see if your dogs need to be checked out.
2. Cyanide Poisoning
The peach pit also called the stone, and stem and leaves contain trace amounts of cyanide compound that is toxic to dogs (source). However, your pooch will have to eat several peach pits to ingest dangerous levels of cyanide.
While this scenario is highly unlikely, why tempt your luck by offering your dog human food that can be potentially toxic. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and only feed your dog pitted peaches.
3. Choking Hazard
Besides being potentially toxic, if swallowed the peach pit can easily get lodged inside your dog’s throat and pose a choking hazard. Furthermore, the pit has a rough, serrated, and sharp surface that can damage your dog’s teeth, mouth, and intestines.
A swallowed peach pit can also create an intestinal blockage, especially in small dog breeds. If this happens your pooch will most likely need surgery to get the pit removed from its intestines.
How Much Peaches Can I Give My Dog?
Since peaches have a high sugar count, you should only feed a small amount to your dog as a treat. When feeding any human foods to your pooch follow a 10 percent treat rule.
This means that peaches shouldn’t make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calorie intake. If you have any questions or concerns about feeding peaches to your dog, talk with your vet and they will tell you how much peaches your dog can eat.
How to Feed Peaches to Your Dog?
If you decide to feed peaches to your dog, purchase only organic peaches that haven’t been treated with toxic pesticides. Peaches like most other fruits can soak up toxins very easily, so always choose organic when given an option.
Before you feed peaches to your pooch, you will have to carefully wash them and remove the leaves, stem, and pit. When it comes to the outer skin, you can leave it or remove it, depending on your dog’s preference.
Popular ways to feed peaches to dogs are:
- Feed small slices of peach to your dog as treats
- Cut the peach into bite-size cubes and mix with your dog’s food
- Freeze slices or pieces of peaches and feed as a refreshing treat
- Make a refreshing smoothie using peaches, bananas, and blueberries
Conclusion
Peaches are completely safe for dogs to eat and can be a sweet and refreshing summer treat. Full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, peaches may boost your dog’s immune system and overall health.
Related Articles:
0 Comments