They taste juicy, they are sweet and with their furry skin they have long won our hearts. We're talking about peaches, of course. When you cut open this summer treat and your dog looks at you begging, you've probably often asked yourself whether he can have some. The answer to the question of whether dogs can eat peaches is: Yes, dogs can eat peaches, but only if they are served appropriately and in moderate quantities. Although this fruit contains many nutrients that benefit your dog's health, too many peaches can cause diarrhea and an upset stomach. The seeds can also pose a choking hazard or even cause intestinal obstruction, so you need to be very careful with this fruit.
Here's everything you need to know about feeding peaches:
Health Benefits of Peaches for Dogs
Peaches offer many health benefits, so making one is a great way to share with your dog. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Vitamins and minerals: The popular summer fruits are rich in vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy skin, while vitamin C strengthens your dog's immune system. Vitamin E is one of the protective substances against oxidative damage and is required for fat metabolism and cell functions. For example, a lack of vitamin E can lead to muscle and eye damage as well as reproductive problems. Peaches also contain important minerals such as manganese, phosphorus, potassium and copper.
- Disease prevention: Peaches are rich in antioxidants, which protect cells from harmful free radicals and protect the body from cancer.
- Good digestion: Peaches are high in fiber, which aids digestion and reduces the likelihood of constipation.
- Heart Health: Peaches are also a good source of potassium. The body uses this to regulate blood pressure by excreting excess sodium and reducing tension in the blood vessel walls. Peaches can also improve your dog's heart health by binding cholesterol and bile acids.
When Peaches Can Be Bad for Dogs
In theory, dogs don't need to eat fruit to have a balanced diet, but a few peach slices are a completely safe and delicious snack that many dogs also enjoy. However, as a dog owner, you have to follow a few rules to stay on the safe side.
How to Prevent the Dangers of Feeding Peaches to Dogs
- Avoid feeding your four-legged friend whole peaches. These sweet fruits are rich in natural sugars and quite sour, so 2-3 slices are more than enough.
- Due to their high sugar content, peaches have more calories than other fruits. A fresh peach contains about 8% sugar, and one cup of peach slices has about 60 calories and 13g of sugar. Too many peaches can cause stomach upset, increasing the risk of obesity in dogs.
- Try to feed your dog only organic peaches; non-organic fruits are often treated with pesticides that can easily penetrate the thin outer skin. But whether you give your dog organic or non-organic peaches, make sure you wash them well before feeding them.
- Check the peaches for mold before serving them; moldy fruit can cause gastrointestinal upset, liver failure, or even seizures. In addition, spoiled fruit ferments and turns the sugar into alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol - not just in drinks, but also in raw bread dough, syrup and spoiled fruit - can have toxic effects on your dog.
Can dogs eat peach pits?
Unlike watermelon, stone fruits like plums, apricots, cherries, and peaches can be bad for your dog. Not only do they pose a choking hazard, but the substance called a peach pit contains amygdalin. This toxic cyanogenic compound can cause health problems in large quantities. Of course, it takes more than a single core in total to cause serious problems, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Amygdalin is also found in the leaves and stems of the peach.
Potential Risks of Peach Pits for Dogs
If your dog eats these parts of the fruit, observe him to see if his behavior changes. Contact your veterinarian immediately if they show the following signs of cyanide poisoning:
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty breathing
- Strangle
- Vomit
- lethargy
- Heavy panting
- Belching
- Red gums
The rigid center of the peach pit can damage or break your dog's teeth, but can also cause painful problems in the nerves. In contrast, the sharp and unforgiving nature of the seeds can damage the mucous membranes in the throat and stomach.
Finally, swallowed seeds can cause an intestinal blockage that requires surgery to remove.
Can dogs eat peach yogurt?
Potential Risks of Peach Yogurt for Dogs
Supermarket-bought peach yogurt usually contains artificial flavors and preservatives that can be harmful to your four-legged companion. Yogurt of any kind can be problematic for dogs with lactose intolerance.
How to feed your dog peach yogurt
If you want to give your dog peach yogurt, it's best to make it yourself by mixing natural yogurt and organic peaches. First, give your dog a little yogurt to see if he can digest it well. If he seems restless afterwards, you should stop feeding him yogurt.
On the other hand, if everything seems fine and you decide to give your dog a little peach yogurt, you should still make sure that the amount is minimal so that it does not affect their health.
Can dogs eat peach jam?
Feeding jam to dogs can be tricky. Processed jams tend to be high in sugar, which can cause stomach upset. Too much sugar can also cause diabetes and obesity over time and can also damage your pet's teeth. Additionally, some jams contain artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, which can be highly toxic to dogs.
How to feed peaches to your dog
How much peach can dogs eat? - The 10% rule
If you want to treat your dog to peaches, you should use the 10% rule recommended by veterinarians: treats, including fruits and vegetables, should make up no more than 10% of the calories in your dog's diet.
How should peaches be prepared for dogs?
Make sure the peaches are free of mold and rot. Wash them thoroughly, cut them into small pieces and remove the seeds, leaves and stems. Would you like it even more creative? Then we have a few great serving ideas for you here:
- For a sweet treat, mix peach slices with other dog-safe fruits like bananas or apples.
- Frozen peaches are also a refreshing treat, especially on summer days.
- Add diced peaches and a teaspoon of natural peanut butter to your dog's oatmeal.
- Cut a few peach slices into small cubes and mix them with Greek yogurt (if your dog is lactose tolerant). Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and place it in the freezer. Serve it as a fantastic snack on hot days.
- Make peach dog biscuits. Cook a peach for about a minute, then cool it in an ice bath. Remove the core and skin and puree until smooth. Mix ¼ cup pureed peach with 120 grams whole wheat flour, a pinch of cinnamon and a teaspoon of honey. Knead the dough, roll it out and cut it into shapes or use cookie cutters. Then bake the dough at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
NOTE: Do not feed your dog canned or canned peaches. These contain a lot of sugar and preservatives that can cause stomach upset.
You should always speak to your veterinarian before giving your dog human food. Certain health problems can be made worse by peaches or other foods, so you should be absolutely sure before feeding them to your dog. The vet will be able to tell you how many peaches you can feed your dog per serving.
Conclusion
In summary, we can say that dogs are allowed to eat peaches, but only in moderation and when prepared appropriately. Peaches provide many health benefits for dogs, such as vitamins and minerals that contribute to disease prevention, digestive and heart health. However, too much peach can cause diarrhea and upset stomach and increase the risk of obesity. Peach pits should be avoided because they pose a choking hazard and contain amygdalin, a toxic cyanogenic compound. It is recommended to only feed organic peaches, wash them well before feeding and check for mold to ensure your dog's safety.
Further links and information
There are some reputable sites where you can find out whether dogs can eat peaches. Some recommended sites include the website of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA - https://www.aspca.org/ ), the website of the American Kennel Club (AKC - https://www.akc.org / ) and the PetMD website ( https://www.petmd.com/) . When researching on the Internet or other sources, it is important to pay attention to reputable sources and compare them carefully in order to make an informed decision. However, the best and safest way to find out whether your dog can eat peaches or not is still to go to the vet and consult in person.
