Can Dogs Eat Plums? All You Need To Know!

You might have thought that fruits must be completely harmless to humans but what about pet dogs? Can dogs eat plums? Fruits are healthy for dogs but are not on the top of their list regarding their daily nutritional diet.

Many fruits are suitable for dogs and have an impressive nutrition profile; however, the high content of sugar present in them can be dangerous to dogs and must be avoided to keep them safe.

The digestive system of humans and animals like dogs is poles apart. They react entirely differently to consume some food items because of the distinct nutritional requirements, intestinal sensitivity, and complexity in the digestive tolerance. Let us learn more about dogs and plums in the following article and determine whether plums are safe to eat for dogs?

Can Dogs Eat Plums?

Yes, dogs can safely eat plums but give them only the fleshy part and not the pits/seeds because they contain highly toxic cyanide. We must feed plums to dogs in moderation as they are high in sugar content and can cause various health issues if overfed.

Moreover, plums are one of the most nutritional fruits that we can feed to dogs, so they must be included in their diet from time to time but only as an occasional treat. All other parts of the plum plant should be avoided feeding your dogs except the plum flesh.

Plums Nutritional Facts

Plums are exceptionally nutritious with plenty of health benefits to offer and can be consumed in fresh or dried form. They contain several essential vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that benefit the body by reducing the risk of fatal diseases in your body.

The dried form of plums is usually known as prunes which also helps in improving health issues like osteoporosis and constipation.

• Both plums and prunes are slightly different in their nutritional content but are very healthy and packed with nutrients. However, prunes are better in calories, carbs, and fiber than fresh plums.
• Prunes have sorbitol and fiber content, which has natural laxative effects and helps relieve constipation. It also ensures regular and healthy bowel movements.
• Plums and prunes are rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols and anthocyanins, which help repair cell damage, reduce organ inflammation, improve bone health, reduce risks of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes preventing lung diseases.
• The anti-inflammatory properties present in plums helps in preventing cell damage and reduce the risk of various chronic diseases.
• Reasonable amounts of fiber and a hormone called adiponectin in plums help control blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy circulatory system.
• Vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus promote bone health and tackle issues like osteoporosis and osteopenia to improve the overall bone density. The combination of antioxidants and undiscovered substances in prunes can reverse bone loss which is quite miraculous.
• It promotes heart health due to the antioxidants, potassium, and fiber content by regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Plums Nutritional Stats

A fresh and ripe plum would have the following nutrient profile:

Calories – 30

Carbohydrate – 7.5 g

Fiber – 1 g

Protein – 0.48 g

Iron – 0.1 mg

Potassium – 104 mg

Magnesium – 4.6 mg

Manganese – 0.04 mg

Phosphorus – 10.5 mg

Copper – 0.04 mg

Zinc – 0.07 mg

Niacin – 0.28 mg

Pantothenic acid – 0.09 mg

Riboflavin – 0.018 mg

Thiamine – 0.018 mg

Vitamin A – 228 IU

Vitamin C – 6.3 mg

Vitamin B6 – 0.02 mg

Vitamin E – 0.17 mg

Vitamin K – 4.2 mcg

Health Benefits Of Plums For Dogs

Dogs can benefit very well by moderated consumption of plums and prunes because they have many essential nutrients packed in them, which would help every functioning in their body.

Dogs have a limited nutritional requirement to sustain a healthy life, and it is much convenient to feed them a wholesome diet and fulfill their necessities.

• Plums are a good source of Vitamin A and C that helps reduce inflammations, build a healthy immunity, and strengthen the bones and cartilage in their bodies. Supporting a healthy immune system and reducing cognitive aging are the foremost tasks of Vitamin C, which are essential for small animals like dogs to live a disease-free lifestyle. This Vitamin also is known for decreasing oxidative damage and lowering the risk of chronic diseases in dogs.
• Vitamin A is a vital nutrient that enhances eyesight and avoids the progression of vision impairments in dogs. It also helps in the maintenance of their skin and fur coats. Vitamin A and C aren’t specific to be included in dogs’ regular diet because they are synthesized internally in their liver itself, but feeding them fruits and veggies containing a significant amount of these nutrients wouldn’t harm them and benefit them in good faith.
• Plums also have a good amount of fiber, which is very important for keeping the digestion process healthy, and all the nutrients are assimilated efficiently. It also assists in controlling blood sugar levels and contributes to relieving constipation issues. The high water content also makes a great refreshing and hydrating snack for dogs.
• However, the sugar content is very high in plums and prunes that can be a reason for rapid weight gain, obesity, and diabetes if the intake is more than the advised amount. Despite the excellent nutritional value of this fruit, Plums should be fed occasionally and in moderation to avoid developing such health issues in dogs that could be fatal in the long run.

Can Puppies Eat Plums?

Yes, puppies can safely eat plums and prunes, as the nutritional value it would provide to these growing fluffballs is terrific. Also, the texture of the fruit isn’t so intricate or complex that it may hinder the digestive tract and choke small puppies somehow.

The nutritional value of plums is well known by now, and it will surely benefit the puppy in its prime growth years by improving its body functioning and overall growth. However, the serving quantity should always be in moderation due to the apparent high sugar content.

Puppies need frequent meals in a day to fulfill their energy levels and contribute to their healthy growth. They eat many times a day to stay active and maintain an operational metabolism for rapid growth.

Consuming treats like plums and other nutrient-rich fruits and veggies can be very important to boost their health.

Various nutrients like antioxidants and minerals aren’t readily available in all foods in significant amounts to fulfill the little yet essential needs of the body.

Are Plums Safe For Dogs?

Plums are primitively safe for dogs and puppies because of their nutrient-rich profile and suitable texture. They are comprised mostly of water (85%).

They are moderately low in fat, sodium, carbs, and calories, making them perfect for dog consumption and mainly harmless to their health.

Overdose of these nutrients can create undetectable issues in animals sometimes, which is why treats having these nutrients in abundance are fed in strict moderation and on a very occasional basis.

Treats like plums aren’t replacing healthy routine diets for dogs despite being healthy and full of essential nutrients. Including a few dices of plums, sometimes in a week, won’t be a problem and will be enough to fulfill the micronutrients and macronutrients in your dog’s diet.

Most importantly, removing the pit or seed of the plum is very necessary as it is highly toxic for them and can create severe complications if swallowed accidentally.

Furthermore, washing the fruit properly to make sure it is free from chemicals and pesticides is also crucial for avoiding any cases of food poisoning. Apart from the seed, the fleshy part and skin of the plum are entirely safe for dogs.

Are Plums Good For Dogs?

Yes, plums are suitable for dogs because of their nutritional values. We can easily feed plums to them by removing the seed and serving the fleshy part as their sweet treat.

The recommended quantity is a few pieces per serving which means they won’t be fulfilling their specific nutritional needs just through the fruit.

Still, instead, they would be happy if you gave them a delicious treat to break the monotonous dietary routine of dog food and bitter veggies.

We think about the necessity of nutrition and food on a larger scale from our perspective and try to feed anything and everything to our dog without thinking twice because we can eat all varieties of food anytime.

It possibly won’t harm us; it would be completely safe for my dog too. But contradictorily, this is not true because small animals like dogs don’t need heavy dietary nutrition daily.

For example, an average-sized dog requires 500-1000 calories per day, whereas a human requires approximately 2500+ calories in a day depending on their weight and other factors, to be precise.

Are Plums Bad For Dogs?

The only aspect of plum being harmful to dogs is if you either overfed it or let them eat the fruit with the seed still in it. The fleshy part is healthy if fed in moderation.

Still, if you exceed the serving quantity, the sugar intake would be high in the body, causing lots of disorders, including obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, if dogs consume the seed, it too is hazardous.

If you are wondering if you could feed an intact plum to your dog, that’s completely dangerous as the seed/pits in the plum is hard textured and can be dangerous to dogs because of the following reasons:

• When ingested, the seeds break down into hydrogen cyanide and create poisonous fumes and acidic reactions internally, which can severely harm your pet’s body.
• The seed has sharp edges and can cut the insides of the esophagus while swallowing or harm the intestines while digesting. This issue, in turn, may cause internal bleeding, which is usually undetected in dogs until it’s too late.
• If your dog is small in size, then the seed also may be a choking hazard for them which might suffocate them.
• The seed is very hard in texture, and if it interferes in between the teeth while chewing, the teeth may or may not be affected depending on the size and age of the dog.

Do Dogs Like Plums?

Plums have a taste and texture that dogs like, but it has seed in them too, making it difficult to eat until and unless you remove the seed and feed the fruit to them yourself.

It is never surprising to figure out for yourself whether your dog likes plums or not. Plums taste good and look appealing, and that’s enough for dogs to grab them and try eating them. If you feed your dog plums occasionally and they love eating it, that’s great you have your answer.

But if we consider the ease of eating fruits for dogs as well as for us to serve it to them, the majority of the pet parent and dogs would prefer seedless or more sweet fruits like blueberries, strawberries, watermelons, etc

Because they are easy and harmless to a greater extent as they don’t have toxic seeds in them which would create havoc if accidentally consumed.

Can dogs eat cherry plums?

Cherry plums are safe for dogs to eat. However, it is necessary to keep the quantity in moderation as it has a high sugar content which may cause harm to your dog’s health. The fleshy part of the cherry plums is the only edible part for dogs.

We should avoid the seeds, stems, roots, and flowers as they don’t possess any essential nutrients and can be potentially toxic due to the spraying of pesticides and internally present substances.

High sugar intake in dogs may lead to pancreatitis, diabetes, and obesity. Feeding treats rich in sugar on an occasional basis is the key to keeping your fluffball healthy.

Can dogs eat dried plums?

Dried plums are called prunes, and yes, they can be safely eaten by dogs. Moreover, prunes are more healthy than plums in terms of their nutritional profile, and they can be easily stored and fed to dogs whenever you want.

You also won’t have to make excessive efforts as prunes are seedless, and there is no additional need to remove seeds/pits as it was crucial in plums as the seeds are highly toxic.

However, always buy organic prunes for dogs if you wish to feed them because you would come across various varieties of dried plums in the market having preservatives, additional sugar, and chemical flavors in them.

These artificially processed prunes can be harmful to your dog’s health and should be strictly avoided. It is best to prefer only the dehydrated organic prunes and compressed in the most naturally possible technique.

Can dogs eat red plums?

Red plums are the most commonly available plums worldwide and can be eaten by dogs safely, as discussed in the previous sections of the article. Red plums are healthy enough to be considered and included in occasional treats for dogs and should be fed in moderation.

Can dogs eat black plums?

Yes, dogs can safely eat black plums. Black plums are not very different from traditionally referred plums; they are sweeter and tastier than red ones.

Black plums are equally nutritious to the other common varieties and are usually known to improve blood circulation and enhance iron and manganese absorption in the body.

The fleshy part of black plums is healthy for dogs and can be fed to them in moderate quantity as they have a higher sugar content which can be fatal to dogs’ health.

Can dogs eat fresh plums?

Yes, dogs can safely eat fresh plums. As we discussed, they can consume plums in two forms, as we discussed, i.e., dried and fresh. Fresh plums are softer in texture and have various health benefits that can deteriorate when dehydrated and converted into prunes.

It is your choice entirely whether you want to feed fresh plums to your dog by removing the seed in it or go for dried plums/prunes which are already deseeded. Both varieties approximately have the same nutritional value.

It won’t be a significant issue which one you choose because it eventually will occasionally be a small piece in a serving

Can dogs eat purple plums?

Yes, dogs can safely consume purple plums. They are usually known as Damson plums and have a purplish-blue skin color with a yellowish-green flesh color. They are equally nutritional to the other plums and can be entirely safe for dogs to eat.

The seed should be removed before feeding the fleshy part to the dog, and make sure you keep the quantity in moderation and don’t overfeed it.

How Many Plums Can A Dogs Eat?

Ideally, it is recommended that you must give 2-3 small slices of plums to your dog per serving. It is safe and won’t be an overdose of sugar content in your dog.

When you introduce your dog to plums and prunes, it is strictly necessary to observe them and look out for any unusual behavior that may indicate issues like cyanide poisoning risks, imbalance in blood sugar levels, Vitamin A toxicity, and reactions due to flavonoids.

Plums are pretty acidic, and your dog may react allergically to them when fed for the first time. So if you see symptoms like sickness, vomiting, and uneasiness, take them to the vet immediately and find out whether they can eat plums from then onwards or not.

For avoiding worst-case scenarios of gradual cyanide poisoning in dogs, take your dogs to regular checkups and ask your vet whether or not feeding plums to your fluffy friends is okay.

How Often Can A Dog Eat Plums?

Dogs can be fed with plums a few times a week, having a fixed serving size that it shouldn’t exceed at all. Keeping the quantity and frequency is essential to keep your dog healthy at all times.

Our dogs don’t need to overeat as we do to stay healthy. That’s the reason why plums shouldn’t be fed frequently to them for trying to fulfill their daily nutrition.

The high sugar content in plums seems to be the only reason plums should be included in their diet a few times a week to be safe and away from any digestive disorders.

However, if the plum intake is exceeded, issues like weight gain, obesity, gastrointestinal blockage, diarrhea, stomach pain, and excretory complications would be sure to happen.

How To Feed Plums To Dogs?

Feeding plums to your dog isn’t very tough, apart from the little effort you would have to make while deseeding the plum so that your dog doesn’t accidentally eat that poisonous pit.

• Always choose an organic plum, free from any pesticides and chemicals, but if you don’t get your hands on an organically grown plum, make sure you wash the skin properly. Fruits are always better if washed with cold and warm water. Consequently, any residue of chemicals on their skin gets washed away for good.
• Then slice the plum into small pieces, remove the seed in it without fail and feed it to your furry friend.
• Please dispose of the seed immediately after removing it so that your dog doesn’t lay their paws on it and accidentally eat it. The seeds are potentially toxic and can cause cyanide poisoning in your sensitive fluffball’s body.
• Also, remember that if you need to feed dried plums or prunes to your dog, they should be completely organic and free from any additives and preservatives. If you are not sure of the ingredients in the prune, it is better to avoid feeding them to the dog.

Can dogs eat nectarines?

Yes, nectarines are entirely safe for feeding your dogs. They are smooth-skinned peach fruits that are highly nutritious and have a sweet and sour taste that won’t appeal to the taste buds very much but still would be an excellent option for an occasional treat.

Similar to the plums, nectarines are also high in sugar content, due to which you should also feed them in moderation to avoid health issues related to excessive sugar intake.

Do Plums Affect The Digestive System Of Dogs?

Plums have essential nutrients like fiber and sugar, which should be consumed and provided to dogs only in a certain fixed amount.

If that nutrient intake is exceeded due to overfeeding, digestive issues like indigestion, constipation, inflammation, blood sugar imbalance, obesity, rapid weight gain, and diabetes.

Furthermore, apart from nutrition overdose, if your dog accidentally swallows the seed/pit of the plum, severe and fatal issues like cyanide poisoning, irritable bowel movements, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, intestinal obstruction, and internal rupture.

These conditions are just the ones related to the digestive system. Ingestion of cyanide affects the whole body and creates toxicity in various body systems.

However, suppose you make sure that you are feeding plums to your dog in moderation and on an occasional basis, specifically keeping them away from the seeds. In that case, your dog won’t face any problems in its digestive system.

Nevertheless, it would improve their digestion because of the plums’ fiber, sorbitol, antioxidants, and minerals.

Final Thoughts

As we’ve concluded, saying that plums are safe and highly nutritional for dogs to eat will be an accurate statement only when we give it three conditions:

• Remove the seed.
• Wash the skin properly.
• Keep the frequency and quantity in moderation.

Plums are suitable treats for dogs, and they would love it when you follow the feeding instructions correctly and take care of the quality and hygiene of the fruit before feeding it to them.

Moreover, maintain their daily diet with the most nutritious and safe food choices and include occasional treats like plums and berries only once in a while to avoid any malnourishment in your dog and a proper healthy and balanced diet to stay happy and live a healthy lifestyle.

FAQs