Surely we can all agree that one of the best things about summer is eating luscious, fresh peaches. This tasty treat can be shared with your dog only under certain conditions.
After all, canines are strictly carnivorous and have no nutritional requirement for fruit. Dogs have a digestive system different from ours; therefore, they cannot eat everything we can.
Peaches provide a lot of beneficial nutrients, including vitamin A and fiber. The flesh of a peach is fine for your dog to eat if you cut it up into small pieces. However, if peaches aren’t part of his typical diet, they may cause stomach distress in the form of diarrhea.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and potential dangers of sharing a peach with your furry best friend on a hot summer’s day.
What Are the Benefits of Peaches to Dogs?
Peaches can be considered a nutritious treat for dogs, provided they are given in moderation – as with most foods. They are minimal in calories and fat and have a high fiber content. In addition, they are packed with powerful antioxidants, which support the immune system, protect cells from harm, and aid in the battle against various diseases. In addition to this, they are full of the vitamins and minerals listed below:
- Vitamin A
- Copper
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Zinc
- Zeaxanthin
- Lutein
- Folate
- Choline
- Niacin
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Manganese
Can Peaches Be Dangerous to Your Dog?
If you stick to the 90/10 guideline, there is a good chance that your dog won’t experience any issues with your digestive system as a result of eating too many goodies that are heavy in sugar and fiber. You should try to restrict the amount of sugar your dog consumes because an excessive amount of sugar can cause diabetes, obesity, and cavities.
In addition to having a high sugar concentration, the stone or pit of a peach has minute levels of cyanide, which is harmful to dogs (and is in fact highly poisonous to most living creatures.) Various levels of cyanide can also be found in the plant’s stem and leaves. The pip equally poses a risk of choking and, if it is swallowed, has the potential to obstruct the intestines, which may cause adverse and long-term effects. Cyanide is also abrasive and harsh, both of which can cause damage to the esophagus and the intestines.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include the following:
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Collapse
- Lethargy
- Difficulty breathing
- Red gums
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Excessive panting
- Dilated pupils
- Gagging or regurgitation
- Seizures
If your dog unintentionally consumes a peach pit, or you detect any of these signs, notify your veterinarian and take your dog to the veterinary clinic promptly. In a scenario like this, be prepared to answer questions such as when your dog consumed peaches and in what amounts.
What Kind of Peaches Can They Eat?
Should Dogs Eat Peach Yogurt?
Although the flesh of peaches is beneficial and risk-free for canines to consume, peach yogurt purchased from the store is not a good idea. The flavored yogurt you buy from the store typically has a lot of added sugars, various preservatives, and sometimes even xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs to consume.
Peach yogurt can be made at home by combining peaches with plain yogurt that contains no added sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Should Dogs Feed Canned Peaches?
Canned peaches are another human food that should not be given to a dog as a treat. They include an insanely high concentration of added sugar, which is not good for your dog’s health and may cause an upset stomach in your pet. Similarly, it will cause your dog’s blood sugar levels to spike, which will inevitably be followed by a drastic decline – leaving your pupper exhausted. A diet high in sugar could also lead to diabetes in the long run.
Should Your Dog Eat Frozen Peaches?
Peaches that have been frozen can be a tasty treat, but there are a few potential hazards that you should be aware of. If you bought your peaches from a store, there is a good chance that they have added sugar and preservatives. Additionally, frozen peaches purchased from a shop typically come in huge bits, presenting an additional possibility of choking for your dog. The best action is to chop fresh peaches into bite-sized pieces and then freeze them yourself.
What is the Safest Way to Feed Your Dog Peaches?
The following are a few enjoyable and risk-free ways to pamper your adorable canine companion with peaches. In addition, make sure that you only give your dog a small amount of any new food at first when you are trying to acclimate them to it. Keep a stern out for any signs of an allergic reaction. Only after you’ve concluded that your dog doesn’t have a peach allergy should you continue to feed them peaches. After removing the stem and pit from the peach, cut it into pieces no larger than half an inch cubed.
#1 Food topper
Mash up some sliced peaches and add them as a food topping to your dog’s regular food. You could also sprinkle on some sliced almonds if you want to give your dog’s mealtimes a little more variety.
#2 Fruit smoothing
Combine a few slices of peach with other safe fruits for dogs, such as bananas, blueberries, or strawberries, and blend it into a smoothie. You can give your dog a small amount of it as a treat, use it as a topping for their food, or freeze the rest for subsequent use. You shouldn’t give your dog more than two tablespoons of smoothie for every 10 pounds they weigh.
#3 Frozen yogurt or peach yogurt
Mix some peach slices mashed or processed in a blender with plain sugar- and xylitol-free yogurt. If you wish to, you can add other safe fruits for dogs to this mixture, then serve it to your canine companion chilled.
Alternately, you may place the fruit pieces in the freezer the night before, and then the following morning, use a blender to combine the frozen fruit with the plain yogurt to produce dog-safe frozen yogurt. The same rule applies here: you shouldn’t give your dog more than two tablespoons of yogurt for every 10 pounds they weigh.
#4 Dried Peaches
If you wish to give your dog dried peaches, you can use a dehydrator at home to make them. Remember that it will have a much greater sugar content when they are prepared this way. But dehydrated fruit you make at home is still far healthier than dried fruit you buy from the shop. This is due to the fact that commercially available dried fruit typically has a great deal more sugar added to it in addition to other preservatives.
FAQs
Peaches, apples, bananas, pears, and blueberries are just a few of the many fruits that dogs can safely consume. However, some fruits are quite harmful after ingestion; consult your vet before giving your pet any new foods. Dogs are primarily carnivores; therefore, treats like fruit should be given sparingly.
Peach pits and rotten peaches can be deadly for dogs, but the flesh of a peach is perfectly safe. If your dog has a severe allergy to peaches, there is a chance that it will have an anaphylactic reaction, which can be fatal. This, however, would be a highly unusual occurrence.
To say that dogs can digest peaches is not to advocate that they should do so regularly or in excessive quantities. Fruits like peaches and grapes are nice to give to dogs as rewards, but they aren’t necessary. As a result, sweet treats like peaches shouldn’t account for more than 10 percent of your dog’s total calorie intake each day.
Conclusion
Although peaches themselves are safe for canines, other dangers could arise. Peaches are okay for your dog to enjoy as a sweet snack, but don’t give him too many at once!
While the skin and the flesh of peach are safe for dogs to eat, you should give the fruit a good scrub to remove any traces of harmful chemicals like herbicides and pesticides. Never feed your dog a whole peach; instead, permanently remove the pit and cut the fruit into little pieces.
Thank you for reading this article! Our pets are considered family members, so naturally, we only want what’s best for them. Also have a look at Australian Labradoodles or Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
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