Can dogs eat peaches? Yes, they can. It is common for dog owners to give a taste of their food to their dogs. When it comes to peaches, who can refuse such a sweet, juicy, refreshing summer fruit? Peaches are full of good nutrition. They contain an enormous amount of antioxidants, vitamin A and much more. They also contain fiber that is beneficial to your dog. As long as the contents of the fruits are beneficial to your dog, you can feed them to your dog.
How to Serve Peaches to your Dog?
- Wash the peaches thoroughly with running water to ensure all the pesticides have been removed.
- Remove the stems and leaves of the fruit.
- Slice the peach in half.
- Remove the pit. Also, remove the part of the peach that was in contact with the stone.
- Larger or whole peaches can cause choking in your dog. So make small pieces of the peach and feed them to your dog.
Can dogs eat peaches? Benefits of feeding peaches to dogs
Peach contains the following valuable minerals and vitamins that can benefit your dog:
Calcium and Phosphorus
Peaches contain trace amounts of calcium and phosphorus. They help the immune system to function better. And they also help in bone formation and overall strengthening of the skeletal system.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help in the prevention of cell damage in your dog’s body. They are known to slow down the aging process, thus helping your dog live a long, healthy life. A healthy amount of antioxidants in the body lowers the chance of cancer.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps in the following body functions:
- It helps in better vision
- Very useful for dogs who have night blindness
- Improves reproductive system
- Boosts up immune system
Vitamin C
It filters free radicals out of your dog’s body that can cause damage to the cells. In short, it cleans your dog’s body. Moreover, it helps boost the immune system.
Vitamin E
It improves your dog’s fur and skin. It reduces inflammation in dogs. It is very useful for dogs that have arthritis. Selenium and vitamin E are really helpful in maintaining the beautiful coat of your dog and preventing skin allergies.
Potassium
Potassium plays an important role in your dog’s metabolism as it
- Helps in regulating blood pressure
- Releases excess sodium from the body
- Improves heart function and health
- Binds bile and removes it from the body.
Magnesium
It helps in the metabolism of fatty acids and proteins. It also helps in ligament and bone health maintenance.
Fiber
Peaches are rich in dietary fiber. It helps your dog by making sure its digestive system is working smoothly. It reduces the chances of constipation in dogs.
Possible Adverse Effects of Feeding Peaches to Your Dog
Following are the things that you should keep in your mind while giving peaches to your dog:
High in Sugar
Peaches have a high amount of sugar and fiber. You should give peaches to your dog only as a treat, not as a part of their daily diet. Feeding large amounts of sugar daily will cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal upsets.
It’s best that you follow the 90-10 rule. According to this rule, 90% of your dog’s calorie intake should be from the daily diet, and only 10% should come from treats.
Pit or Stone of Peach
There is also another reason why you should be careful while feeding peaches to your dog. The pit of beauty is also known as a stone. It contains cyanide sugar called amygdalin. No doubt your dog has to consume many peach pits to get cyanide poisoning, but why take the risk?
The pit’s surface is rough, serrated, and abrasive, and it can irritate your dog’s small intestine.
While giving a peach to your dog, make sure that it doesn’t have any peach stem, leaves, or pit. Peach’s stem and leaves also contain cyanide and can cause cyanide poisoning in your dog.
Following are the signs of cyanide poisoning in dogs:
- Excessive salivation
- Labored breathing
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Convulsions
Suppose your dog has eaten a peach pit. You should look for these signs and contact your vet immediately.
Choking
As we know that peach stone is hard. If your dog swallows it, it can cause choking in your dog. Even if it is engulfed, it can cause intestinal obstruction that will cause abdominal pain, and your dog may have to undergo surgery if it is not excreted from the body naturally.
Tooth Damage
The stone of the peach is complex, and the dog can hurt its teeth trying to break it.
Allergic Reactions
If you have never given peach to your dog and are doing it for the first time, you should keep an eye on your dog regarding an allergic reaction. Some dogs are allergic to peaches, which can cause anaphylactic shock. It can cost your dog’s life.
Following are the signs of anaphylactic shock in dogs:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Difficult breathing
- Hives
- Salivation
If you observe any of these signs in your dog, rush your dog to the veterinarian.
How Many Peaches Should You Feed Your Dog?
Peach is undoubtedly good for your dog and has limitless advantages, but you should feed it to your dog in moderation. Never overfeed your dog.
2 to 3 slices of peach are more than enough for your dog. Giving your dog a whole peach regularly can cause obesity and weight gain in your dog because this fruit is rich in sugar. It can also cause diarrhea when eaten in enormous amounts.
No matter how much your dog loves this treat, you should always feed them in moderation.
FAQs
Can you give canned peaches to your dog?
Do not share your canned peaches with your dog. Although fresh peach fruit is good for dogs, canned fruit can’t bring any good to your dog. They are high in sugar, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives. Many of them contain xylitol, which causes toxicity in dogs. They can cause gastrointestinal problems in your dog.
Can dogs eat frozen peaches?
Yes, dogs can eat frozen peaches as long as they are not canned and there are no preservatives. They are a perfect summer snack.
Final Verdict
I am sure now you know “Can dogs eat peaches?” and what are the benefits of eating peaches for dogs? Peach is a nutritious, sweet summer fruit you can give to your pet without worrying about any harmful effects. Just make sure you don’t overfeed it. You can use peaches as a treat while training your dog. Your dog will love it if it has a sweet tooth.
If you are interested in learning more about your dog’s nutrition, you are going to love the articles given below