Can Dogs Eat Plums?

Sharing is caring – or so we’ve always been taught – but what about sharing our fruit with our dogs? Have you ever bitten into the perfect plum, sweet and juicy with a hint of a tartness, and wondered if you can give in to your begging canine companion and let them have a taste?

Plums do have some nutritional health benefits but they also come with dangerous risks so there should be careful consideration before giving your pet a piece of plum to try. Here, we look into the juicy tidbits of information to understand more clearly what we can do to share our sweet treats safely with our pets.

Can dogs eat plums?  

Plums have edible and non edible parts. Yes, dogs can eat the fleshy part of plums. However, care must be taken when feeding the fruit to dogs due to the dangers of the toxic pit in the centre, along with side effects if plums are consumed excessively. The flesh of the plum is highly nutritious, with naturally occurring antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties as well as being high in vitamins C and K which help boost the immune system and the clotting aspects of blood.

However, the pit of the fruit and all other parts of the plant not only are highly toxic but can also present a choking hazard to your pet. If you do feed part of a plum to your four-legged friend, make sure the fruit is ripe and the pit is removed completely and the flesh of the fruit is cut into small pieces for them. Always monitor your pet when feeding new foods as allergic reactions can occur.

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Nutrition facts: plums for dogs  

Plums contain many nutritional benefits, let’s have a look at a breakdown of the top components:

• Soluble fibre: fibre helps stabilise blood sugar levels and regulates the movement through the gastrointestinal tract.

• Vitamin C: an antioxidant that helps the immune system, skin and aids absorption of other nutrients.

• Vitamin K: helps with bone health, preventing heart disease and aids in blood clotting in response to injuries.

• Potassium: helps control blood pressure and aids nerve function.

Are plums good for dogs?  

As we can see there are plenty of nutritional benefits from the flesh of plums for our pets but overall the dangers may outweigh the positives when it comes to feeding plums to our pets. The nutrition is only found in the flesh, the rest of the plant is a whole other story. The pit in particular contains cyanogenic glycosides, which means that it can cause cyanide poisoning. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning can be diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Depending on the level of toxicity symptoms can also include breathing difficulties and heart arrhythmias.

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Can dogs eat all parts of a plum?  

The only part of the plum that dogs (and us humans for that matter) can eat safely is the fleshy outer part of the fruit. All other parts are not safe. In particular the pit, which contains cyanogenic glycosides – a precursor to cyanide – which can be toxic. The plant itself is also toxic to ingest, including the leaves, and especially when wilting, so be careful to keep pets away if you grow plum trees in pots or in the garden.

While the flesh of the plum fruit is both delicious and nutritious, there can be too much of a good thing! While plums can help regulate blood sugar levels, eating them in excess can lead to a blood sugar spike, particularly in dogs with diabetes. There are also negative side effects in relation to the fibre in plums that help give relief from constipation; too much and it can act as a natural laxative and cause diarrhoea.

Are plums completely safe for dogs?  

No, plums are not completely safe to give to your pet as too much or feeding the wrong part can have risks:

• The high sugar content can lead to weight gain, blood sugar spikes and gastrointestinal issues when excessively consumed.

• Accidental ingestion of the pit can lead to blockages or choking and potential cyanide poisoning.

• Plums contain oxalates which can contribute to kidney stones in susceptible dogs.

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Other fruits that are good for dogs  

If you want to feed your pet more fruits here are some safer ideas to try:

• Blueberries are a great antioxidant-filled snack.

• Try bananas for a low-calorie high-nutrition addition to your dog’s diet. 

• For a more exotic treat, you can also feed your dog pineapple.

Fruits that are dangerous for dogs  

While there are many safe foods to try there are many foods that are toxic to dogs even when they are safe for us to eat, have a look at these examples:

• Grapes are a big no-go for dogs, as well as raisins.

• Avocados contain persin, which can be toxic to dogs, so should be avoided at all costs. 

• Much like plums, the seeds in pears, watermelon and apples also contain cyanide, which is dangerous in large quantities. Always remove seeds before feeding these fruits to your dog.

The bottom line: can dogs eat human food?  

Dogs have evolved alongside us humans and as such they can eat some of the same things we can. However, caution is advised with fruits such as plums due to only part of the fruit being edible. Always check to see if new foods are toxic to pets even if they are safe for humans. If you are unsure, do not feed them any and consult with your vet. With any new foods there is a possibility of an allergic reaction, so once certain of the safety of the food only try a small taste at first and monitor your pet closely.

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Frequently asked questions

Are plum pits toxic to dogs? 

Yes, plum pits contain cyanogenic compounds that can be highly toxic to dogs, leading to cyanide poisoning.

Can dogs eat dried plums (prunes)? 

No. Once dehydrated, dried plums, or prunes, have a higher concentration of sugars and fibres leading to blood sugar spikes and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea.

What should I do if my dog eats a plum? 

If you suspect your pet has consumed part of or a whole plum contact your vet immediately for advice, keep a note of how much and which part of the plant was consumed to tell your vet. 

How many plums can a dog eat? 

Only feed your dog a small amount of the fleshy part of the plum, if any. Do not feed whole or multiple plums.

Note: while caution was taken to give safe recommendations and accurate instructions in this article, it is impossible to predict an individual dog’s reaction to any food or ingredient. Readers should consult their vets and use personal judgement when applying this information to their own dogs’ diets.

Resources: 

• A systematic review on the health effects of plums (Prunus domestica and Prunus salicina)

• Cancer protective effects of plums: A systematic review

• Plum | ASPCA

• Emerging plant intoxications in domestic animals: A European perspective