In terms of having a nutrient-rich and cholesterol-free diet, we consider plums a good option. If you think your dog also needs nutrients without fat and calories, you may think of including these fruits in his diet. But can dogs have plums?
Well, plums are a tasty yet healthy treat, not only for humans but also for animals. So yeah, dogs can have them, but in small quantities. Even though plums contain several nutrients, they may not be the ideal treat for dogs. Besides, you need to maintain some safety concerns while feeding these fruits to your canine friend. So stay tuned.
Can Dogs Have Plums?
Plums can be a good treat for dogs, as long as they avoid their pit. Plums usually contain high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, fibre, potassium, and many other micronutrients. Hence, your dogs can get some health benefits from them.
Plums are safe for dogs, but that doesn’t mean they are the best alternative for them. They are fruits, especially made for humans. Dogs mostly rely on dog food. So human foods should be a minor treat for them. Whenever you feel like offering plum to your dog, make sure the amount is less.
Dogs can have plums if they are not allergic to them. You must have understood that offering a plum to dogs requires several exceptions.
How Many Plums Can Dogs Have?
How many plums you can feed your dog depends on his size and health condition. Well, we will discuss feeding plums to dogs based on their health conditions later. If your dog puts a tick on his health, it means you need to consider his size before offering him a plum.
Extra-small dogs, like pugs, Pomeranians, Yorkies, etc., can have one to two small pieces of plum. Again, small breeds, like American Shepherds, Beagles, etc., can have three to four pieces. Medium-sized dogs like Border Collies, Basset Hounds, etc. can eat five to six pieces. Large dogs, like German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, etc., can eat about eight pieces. Lastly, extra-large breeds, like Pit Bulls, Great Pyrenees, etc., can eat 10 pieces of plum easily.
How To Feed Plums To Dogs?
Make sure the plum you are offering to your dog is ripe and fresh. Start with washing this fruit properly to remove any dirt or grime. Then cut it and remove its pit. Now make some small pieces of the plum’s flesh; it would be better if you kept them bite-sized.
You may add some pieces of plum with other veggies that your dog eats every day. Another way to offer it is by making the plum puree and freezing it. This can be a great treat for him during the hot summer.
Benefits Of Having Plums For Dogs
One of the main reasons why dogs can have plums is because they offer some health benefits. For instance, plums are rich in fibre, which can be a saviour for dogs dealing with constipation.
A raw plum contains 87% water and 13% other nutrients. It means the high water content in this fruit can help your dog feel refreshed. Whenever you think your dog is feeling dehydrated during a hot summer day, offer him some pieces of plum and see a happy face in him.
Plums have a sugar content that can manage blood sugar levels if taken in the right amount. Again, your dog can be saved from free radicals by eating plums, as they have antioxidant properties. This is also a reason to have a better immune system and more energy.
Vitamin A and vitamin C found in plums make them a healthy option as a treat. Vitamin A improves eye vision and will make your paw friend’s skin and fur super shiny. Vitamin C will keep him away from skin issues and help fight diseases. Besides, this fruit has potassium, which will maintain your dog’s cell growth.
The sugar content in plums can be a plus point for underweight dogs. If you think your dog needs to put on some weight, offering him a few pieces of plum can support him in the process.
Side Effects Of Having Plums For Dogs
Most commonly, dogs get side effects from having plums when they eat them too much. As said earlier, plums are high in sugar and fibre. The more they eat plums, the more they are consuming fibre and sugar.
High fibre can be a reason for dogs dealing with an upset stomach, as its job is to soften the stool. Again, the high sugar content can be a reason to disrupt dogs’ blood sugar levels. If your dog is overweight, eating too many plums can lead to obesity. But if he is obese, this can cause diabetes. And for a diabetic dog, eating too many plums can be life-threatening.
Another reason dogs have adverse reactions to eating plums is that they don’t eat them properly. Dogs, being curious animals, like to gulp a whole fruit if they find it in front of them. Meanwhile, plums contain a pit inside. If a dog eats a whole plum, he will gulp the pit too. This pit contains a toxin named cyanide that can cause cyanide poisoning. This can give him some symptoms, like vomiting, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, and so on.
Consuming the plum’s pit can also cause choking hazards and intentional blockages. Dogs with small oesophagus can have severe issues in their intestines from gulping the pit. This is because plum pits have sharp edges that can tear the digestive lining of dogs.
When Can Dogs Have Plums?
Plums can be safe for dogs, with some exceptions. We know plums are high in sugar, which means they can benefit an underweight dog or a dog with proper weight. If your dog is overweight, the sugar content in plums will give him some more weight. Again, for diabetic or obese dogs, the sugar in plums can be dangerous. So feed plums to your dog when he is healthy enough to consume them.
Plums are also high in fibre, which can be a good treat for dealing with constipation. But if your dog has an upset stomach, it’s better not to feed him plums.
Some dogs can’t withstand plant-based or human foods. In that case, avoiding plums would be better for him. The reason could be allergies or previous health issues. So ask your vet before introducing any human foods to your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions: Can Dogs Have Plums?
Can dogs have plums with skin?
The plum skin and plum flesh are safe for dogs, but the pit is toxic for them. However, the plum skin is only going to be safe for your dog if he doesn’t have trouble eating the plum’s flesh.
Are prunes safe for dogs?
Prunes, also known as dried plums, are safe for dogs in small quantities. To stay on the safe side, don’t let your dog eat prunes, as it can sometimes lead to flatulence and gastrointestinal issues.
Can dogs lick plum pits?
As said earlier, plums’ pits contain a toxin called cyanide. If a dog licks the pit, the toxin can somehow get into his intestine. This can result in vomiting and diarrhoea for a whole day.
Is the plum’s pit fatal for dogs?
Well, a dog won’t die, probably from eating one plum’s pit. This can be fatal for small dogs, as they have small esophagi. Sometimes, the edges of the pit leave hazardous conditions for small breeds.
Final Thoughts
As we can see, plums pose some health threats too. We may still have the question, Can dogs have plums? The answer is yes. Dogs can have plums in small amounts if they are not overweight, diabetic, or allergic.
Let’s say your dog fits into the position of eating plums. But that does mean you can offer him some pieces directly. Introduce him to these fruits first. Let him eat one tiny piece of plum first. If he eats and gives no reaction, you may offer him another piece of it.
Most importantly, you must make your vet certain about the foods that your dog is eating.
