Imagine yourself sitting on the porch in the middle of summer with a plum in your hand and Fluffy by your side. You bite into that juicy fruit, and that wonderful flavor envelops you. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? You reach down to give Fluffy a bite, but then you think ‘can dogs eat plums?’ Well, I don’t mean to burst your bubble, but plums are not good for dogs. It may be a healthy snack for people, but dogs can experience stomach pain and possible intestinal blockage when they eat plums.
Can dogs eat plums?
Technically, yes. Dogs can eat plums.
Should dogs eat plums? No.
Plums aren’t toxic to dogs, so eating a plum or two won’t kill them.
But they can give your dog an upset stomach and put distress on their digestive system.
The plum flesh also has a high sugar content which can lead to weight gain and even diabetes if overconsumed.
Plum pits contain small amounts of cyanide, so they are toxic to dogs. One pit likely won’t contain enough to give your dog cyanide poisoning, but several pits may.
The plum pit itself can also cause intestinal blockage and can be a choking hazard for small dog breeds.
Are plums toxic to dogs?
Plums are not toxic to dogs, but that doesn’t mean you should give them to your dog.
Plums are difficult for dogs to digest and they can cause abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
The plum pits, on the other hand, contain trace amounts of cyanide and are toxic to dogs. In small amounts, cyanide may only cause an upset stomach.
But in larger amounts, it could cause cyanide poisoning. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include:
If you think your dog may be experiencing cyanide poisoning, call your vet immediately.
My dog ate plums. What do I do?
Most instances of dogs eating plums are not a big deal. They may get an upset stomach, but that is usually as bad as it will get.
Your dog may also experience vomiting and diarrhea after ingesting plums. If mild, these usually go away on their own in a couple days.
But more severe reactions after eating plums are possible. If your dog becomes lethargic or is unable to keep any food down, call your vet right away. Dogs that are frequently vomiting can become dehydrated quickly which can be dangerous.
Most of the time, it is not a big deal when a dog eats plums. They may get an upset tummy, but that’s about it in most cases.
What to feed your dog instead of plums
Instead of feeding plums to your dog, you can feed them the following alternatives.
Pumpkin for constipation
Many humans use plums and prunes as a natural laxative. Unfortunately, dogs don’t receive the same benefits that humans do.
Instead of plums, many vets recommend adding pumpkin to the dog’s diet to help their constipation. Pumpkin adds water to their diet and is much easier for dogs to digest.
Many brands like Kindfull and Pet Plate have started adding pumpkin to their formulas for this reason.
Pitless cherries for a treat
Cherries are a great and nutritious snack for dogs in moderation.
But like plums, the seeds and stems contain trace amounts of cyanide, so they should be removed before feeding.
Cherries are also high in sugar, so be sure to use cherries as an occasional treat only.
Dog plums FAQs
No, dogs should not eat plums. Plums are difficult for dogs to digest and can cause digestive issues. They also contain high amounts of fructose which can cause your dog to gain weight.
No. In fact, eating plums may make your dog’s digestive system worse. Vets recommend using pumpkin as a natural way to ease your dog’s constipation.
Plums contain many vitamins and minerals, but the side effects of plums outweigh any benefits your dog would receive. Other foods like pumpkin and cherries contain many of the same benefits and are better for the dog’s digestive tract.
Conclusion
Eating a pitted plum likely won’t cause your dog any long-term damage, but you should avoid still feeding plums to your dog. Plums aren’t toxic, but they can cause upset stomachs and digestive issues. If your dog dogs eat plums, monitor them for abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms should go away after a couple days, but you should call a vet if they continue or get worse. Consider feeding your dog pumpkins or cherries instead.
Ginger developed a connection to animals at an early age when she wandered onto her family’s ranch at only 4 years old and started feeding the cows by hand. She believes that animals should be cared for and loved, and she loves helping pet owners along the way.
