Can Dogs eat peaches? To answer it simply, Yes. Peaches are safe for dogs to eat, but there are some conditions.
We all like to spoil our furry friend a little by sharing food from our plates as treats instead of those typical dog treats. If the food is edible for you, you must think it must be safe for your pets to consume, too, right? But things are a little more complicated than that. Some foods that are safe for humans are poisonous to cats and dogs, which leads us to the question – can dogs eat peaches?
While technically dogs can eat peaches, they pose some risks too. These lightly citrusy fruits are nutritionally rich and carry a lot of benefits. Although the benefits of peaches are enormous, they still can cause some health problems in dogs, like an upset stomach or diarrhea. But nothing is as risky for a dog as the peach pit as it can cause intestinal obstruction or a choking hazard.
So, peaches are not unsafe for dogs, but there are still some risks, and you should be careful when you give your dog a peach to eat. What are these risks, and what is the safe way for dogs to consume peaches?
Let’s find out.
What are the Health Benefits of Peaches for Dogs?
Peaches are full of many beneficial nutrients, so not only can dogs eat peaches, but they can also get health benefits from them. Some of the important health aspects for dogs are:
1. Minerals and Vitamins
There are plenty of vitamins sources present in peaches like Vitamin E, C, and A. Each one of these vitamins is great for dog health;
- Vitamin A is essential to maintain a healthy coat, muscles, and skin. It also boosts immunity.
- Vitamin C reduces inflammation, battles harmful free radicals in the body, and reduces cognitive aging.
- Vitamin E maintains healthy metabolism and reproduction in dogs. It also acts as a shield against oxidative damages.
Moreover, peaches are also a great source of several minerals like potassium, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus, each of which is necessary to maintain your dog’s health.
2. Water Content
Peaches are 89% water. Their high water content makes them an ideal snack for your pup in the summers.
3. Disease Prevention
This fruit is a source of antioxidants that defend the cells of the body from cancer and other free radicals that are harmful to a dog.
4. High Fiber Content
Because they are high in dietary fiber, Peaches act as metabolism catalysts and prevent constipation or digestive malfunction.
5. Good for the Heart
Peaches have minerals like potassium in abundance, which helps reduce and regulate blood pressure and relax tension accumulated inside the walls of blood vessels. Another benefit that peaches provide is by binding bile acids with cholesterol which keeps your dog’s heart pumping healthily.
Dangers of Eating Peaches for Dogs
Peaches are not a traditional dog food. That being said, it does not hurt to add a few peach slices to their diet either. If anything, peaches add a good nutritional value to the dog’s diet, but it should be done in moderation; otherwise, some health issues can arise for your furry friend.
Here are some scenarios in which peaches can be bad for your dog:
- Whole peaches: If you give a whole peach to your dog, the chances are that they may swallow it whole, which can lead to choking and even intestinal blockage. Most importantly, you should always remove the pit from the peach before giving it to your dog.
- How much peach is too much peach? Not too much, it seems. Peaches are high in sugar and can cause health issues like obesity and diabetes if given unchecked. So, it is better if you give only 2 – 3 slices of peach to your dog per day.
- High Calories: Because of the high sugar levels, peaches become a food with a high caloric count as one peach has approximately 13 g of sugar and 60 calories. Feeding a lot of peaches can cause obesity in dogs and can upset their stomach?
- Processed Peaches: Usually, packaged and processed fruits have an abundance of pesticides that can cause permeation to the thin outer skin of dogs. However, whether the fruits are non-organic or organic, it is better to wash them before feeding them to your dog thoroughly.
- Mold: You should always inspect peaches well before feeding them to your dog as they can have mold. Mold on fruits can cause liver failure, GI problems, and in some severe cases, even seizures. On top of that, if mold grows on sugary fruits, it leads to fermentation which produces alcohol, which can be poisonous for your pet.
How Can Dogs Eat Peaches?
Most pet nutritionists claim that dogs can eat peaches if given without the stem, pit, and leaves of peaches. A certified vet nutritionist and veterinarian named Sean Delaney says, “Fruits like peaches also provide natural antioxidants that likely fight oxidative damage, which is believed to be a leading cause of aging.”
However, some dogs respond to fiber differently and can show symptoms of diarrhea or upset stomach if they are fed too many raw peaches. So the question arises that how and in which form can dog eat peaches?
Listed below are some ways in which peaches are safe for canine consumption. We also discuss the pros and cons of each method in detail next:
Dogs can have peaches as:
- Raw Peaches
- Processed Peaches
- Peach Yogurt
- Grilled Peaches
- Peach Ice cream
Can Dogs Eat Peach Yogurt Or Ice Cream?
Yes, dogs can have peach yogurt or ice cream, but it is better if the yogurt or ice cream are homemade and not store-bought. Store-bought peach yogurt is highly processed and contains preservatives as well as extra flavoring, which is not good for your canine friend’s health. Same as yogurt, peach ice cream has xylitol and a lot of processed dairy that is harmful to your dog.
But, how to make homemade peach yogurt?
To make homemade peach yogurt mix some fresh organic peaches with plain yogurt. If this is your first time feeding yogurt to your dog, make sure to give them a small amount to check if they can digest it or not. Even if they digest it well, do not feed them too much yogurt as it can lead to an upset stomach. You will be taking your dog out for poop every hour if you are not careful!
Similarly, instead of store-bought peach ice cream, try freezing small peach pieces and give your dog these treats as popsicles on a hot summer day.
Caution: If your dog is lactose intolerant, then avoid giving him any kind of yogurt or milk ice cream. You can try vegan and dairy-free alternatives.
Can Dogs Have Grilled or Canned Peaches?
Yes, dogs can have grilled peaches as long as you do not add anything extra like butter or honey. If you add extra ingredients to make your grilled peaches taste better, it’s best to stick to a slice or two.
When it comes to feeding your dog canned peaches, it is better to avoid them because they are high in sugar and calories. They also have preservatives in them, which are harmful to your dog. However, they are not poisonous for your dog and can be consumed once in a while.
Can Dogs Have Peach Skin?
Peach skin itself is not a problem, but this part of the fruit is most exposed to pesticides and chemicals; hence it carries a greater risk of contamination. It is risky to feed your dog peach skin, as it may harm their health. It is better to treat your dog with peeled and small cubes of peaches.
Some Safe Ways for Dogs to Eat Peaches
The most important thing, as mentioned earlier, is to make sure the peaches are mold and pesticide-free, and then you can give it to your canine friend in the following way:
- Fresh slices mixed with some other fruits that are safe for dogs like apples and bananas
- Frozen peach slices in summers to fight off the heat
- Diced with some oatmeal and peanut butter
- Peach dog biscuits that are made at home (recipe for peach biscuits )
What Happens If Dogs Eat Peach Pit?
The risk of swallowing a peach pit is the most hazardous aspect of feeding peaches to your dog. The peach stone or pit can get stuck in your dog’s throat and cause choking. Even worse, if swallowed, the peach pit can irritate the intestine, leading to inflammation which may require antibiotics. In the worst-case scenario, a peach pit can cause intestinal blockage; it gets stuck in the dog’s intestine, which may require surgical intervention.
Even if they manage to chew and swallow it, peach pits contain amygdalin that is a sugar-cyanide compound that is toxic to humans and dogs. Although its effect would become prominent if your dog ate several peach pits, it is always better to be on the safer side when it comes to toxic things.
However, if your dog by any chance has liver disease, then their liver won’t be able to filter the cyanide and might be at risk of some serious health problems.
How Many Peaches Are Safe For Dogs?
According to American Kennel Club, “Dogs, after all, are carnivores and don’t need fruit as part of their diet. Their digestion works differently than human digestion, and some foods that are fine for us are not fine for dogs.”
So, if you want to give your pet some peaches, give them in moderation. Stick to the 10% rule, which means peaches should be given to them in an amount that is no more than 10% of their whole dietary and caloric needs of the day.
What Fruits Can Dogs Not Eat?
Here is a list of some of the most dangerous fruits for dogs and should be avoided at all costs as they can cause health problems in your pet.
- Avocado
- Cherries
- Grapefruit
- Plums
- Citrus
- Grapes
- Dried Food
- Tomatoes
Dogs Can Eat Peaches, But…
It turns out that dogs can have peaches and other peach-based food in moderate quantity as long as it is sugar, pesticide, and mold-free. Your dog can even eat peach yogurt, peach ice cream, grilled peaches, and peach skin.
Make sure to remove the peach pit before giving your dog the fruit. Most importantly, always consult your vet for the go-ahead if your dog has underlying health conditions.
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