We’ve all been there: You look away for 2 seconds and your dog manages to jump up and grab a bite of food off of the counter. If that food happened to be a peach, your pet should be fine — just as long as they didn’t eat the pit.
Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch’s on-staff veterinarian, explains everything you need to know about peaches and their impact on dogs.
(Even though peaches are generally safe for your pet, always consult your vet before introducing a new food item to their diet.)
“Yes, peaches are safe for dogs to eat because they are not toxic and aren’t known to cause health issues,” Dr. McCullough says. In addition to being safe for pups, they also contain lots of fiber and vitamin A, which supports dogs’ vision, teeth, coat and skin health.
While peaches are good for pups to eat, Dr. McCullough says that treats should never exceed 10% of a dog’s daily calories and should be served sparingly.
And if your dog has a negative reaction after eating a peach, Dr. McCullough says you should contact your veterinarian immediately. “Not all dogs will tolerate new foods, including peaches, into their diets,” she adds. “Peaches may cause some dogs to have stomach upset including diarrhea or vomiting.”
Before slicing up a peach, talk to your veterinarian about if they’re safe for your individual dog to enjoy. Your veterinarian can also tell you the right serving size for your dog, which depends on their health status, age and size.
If your veterinarian gives you the OK, it’s best to serve dogs fresh or frozen peaches, Dr. McCullough explains. Skip serving dogs canned or dried peaches because they may contain extra sugar or artificial sweeteners, which are unhealthy for dogs.
RELATED: Can dogs eat apples?
Peach pits contain cyanide, which is unsafe for dogs to eat. The pits are also a choking hazard, Dr. McCullough says. “The pit also has a coarse outer surface and can injure the esophagus, stomach and intestines,” she adds.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog starts choking on a peach pit. Common signs of choking in dogs include:
Don’t worry about removing the skin from a peach before sharing it with your pup. The skins are actually safe for dogs to eat, Dr. McCullough explains.
We’re confident that peaches aren’t the only human food your dog would love to sink their teeth into (cue the drool). Check out our series “Can dogs eat ... ?” to learn more about which human foods are off-limits and what’s fair game.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
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