You’ve probably seen that list of foods that you shouldn’t feed your dog and noticed peaches on the list. Actually, you can give your dog peaches, with some qualifications, as long as you don’t let your dog have that big “stone” or pit found inside the peach. We’ll give you the complete story below.
Are Peaches Good for Dogs?
Dogs don’t really need fruit as part of their diet but we all know that many dogs are happy to eat anything you eat. Lots of dogs have a little scavenger in them, like their ancestors, so if they have a change to eat something as delicious as a peach, they can’t resist.
Peaches have lots of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. They also contain a little iron and magnesium. And, they are a good source of dietary fiber. They’re also naturally sweet – another reason why dogs like them.
Can Peaches Be Harmful to Dogs?
If your dog eats a lot of peaches they can cause him some stomach upset, especially some diarrhea.
You should also avoid giving your dog peaches in fruit cocktails, canned or preserved peaches, or any peaches that have sugar, fructose, or corn syrup added. All of that added sugar is not good for your dog. Some of these foods may also contain preservatives or artificial sweeteners that could be harmful to your dog.
Peaches that are grown commercially have usually been treated with pesticides which can be toxic. Make sure you wash any peaches before you or your dog eat them.
Peach Pits or Stones
Dog lovers are usually warned against giving their dogs peaches because they contain a large pit or stone inside. This stone can obviously be a choking hazard for some dogs but there are other reasons why you should be careful not to let your dog eat it. The stone contains a sugar-cyanide compound called amygdalin. Amygdalin is toxic, though your dog would have to eat several peach pits to be affected by it. Peach pits are also abrasive and can irritate your dog’s small intestine if he tries to digest one.
Along with the peach pit, you should know that the leaves and stems of the peach also contain cyanide so don’t let your dog chew them either. This is something to keep in mind if you have a peach tree on your property or you purchase peaches from an orchard or farmer’s market. Remove the leaves and stems before you let your dog have any flesh from the peach.
How to Give Your Dog Peaches
The safest way to give your dog peaches is to simply cut the peach flesh up into small pieces and let your dog eat them without adding anything to them.
You can also puree peach flesh with plain yogurt and freeze in an ice tray to make delicious treats for your dog. If your dog doesn’t do well with dairy products such as yogurt, you can simply puree the peach flesh and freeze it in the ice tray for very peachy treats.
Many dogs love peaches and you can share this delicious fruit with your dog as long as you are careful to remove the pit or stone and avoid letting your dog eat any of the stems or leaves. Too many peaches can lead to an upset stomach. As long as you are cautious, your dog can enjoy peaches in moderation.
