By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Australian summer means bowls of stone fruit on the bench and, for anyone with a backyard tree, nectarines dropping onto the lawn. The flesh of a ripe nectarine is not toxic to dogs, and a few small pieces are a reasonable occasional treat for a healthy dog. The danger is the stone. A swallowed nectarine stone can lodge in a dog's intestine, and the kernel inside contains compounds that can release cyanide if chewed. Windfall fruit that has started to rot adds another layer of risk.
Key takeaways
- Ripe nectarine flesh, cut into small pieces, is not toxic to dogs.
- The stone is a serious choking and intestinal blockage risk, especially for small and medium dogs.
- The stone kernel, leaves and stems contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when chewed or crushed.
- Rotting or fermenting windfall fruit can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and may contain mould toxins.
- Swallowing a stone deserves a call to your vet, even if your dog seems fine.
- Related: peach pits and dogs, intestinal blockage in dogs.
Sharing nectarine flesh safely
Nectarine flesh contains water, natural sugars and fibre. It can be a refreshing summer treat, but dogs on a complete diet do not need fruit. If you share:
- Wash the fruit and remove the stone completely.
- Cut the flesh into small cubes.
- Start with one or two pieces to see how your dog's stomach copes.
- Keep it occasional. The sugar adds up, and too much fruit often causes loose stools.
Skip it for dogs with diabetes or very sensitive stomachs unless your vet is comfortable with it. Avoid tinned nectarines in syrup and nectarine desserts.
Why the stone is the real problem
A nectarine stone is hard, rough and roughly the size of a small dog's intestine. Dogs often swallow stones whole when they snatch fruit. A stone can pass harmlessly, but it can also become stuck in the stomach outlet or small intestine, stopping food passing. The rough surface can damage the gut lining. Obstructions can become life threatening if not treated.
Inside the stone is a kernel that contains amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside. When the kernel is crushed or chewed, it can release cyanide. A single swallowed whole stone is more likely to cause a blockage than poisoning, but dogs that crunch stones or chew on branches and wilting leaves can be exposed to more.
Backyard trees and windfalls
Dogs that have access to a nectarine tree may eat several fallen fruit at once, swallowing stones along the way. Fallen fruit also ferments in the heat, producing alcohol, and can grow moulds. Some moulds produce tremorgenic mycotoxins, which can cause shaking and seizures. Pick up windfalls daily during fruiting season, or fence the tree off.
Signs to watch for
Stomach upset after flesh:
- Soft stools or diarrhoea
- Mild vomiting or wind
Possible blockage after a stone:
- Repeated vomiting, especially after eating or drinking
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- A painful, tense belly or a hunched posture
- Straining with little or no faeces
Possible cyanide or mould toxin exposure:
- Brick red gums, dilated pupils or rapid breathing
- Tremors, wobbliness or seizures
When it is an emergency
Call your vet straight away if your dog swallowed a nectarine stone, chewed stones or branches, or ate rotting fruit and is shaking or wobbly. Seek urgent care for repeated vomiting, a sore belly, breathing difficulty, collapse or seizures. Small dogs are at greater risk of a blockage. For poisoning advice in Australia, contact the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home, because a stone can injure the oesophagus on the way back up.
How vets diagnose and treat it
Your vet will ask when your dog ate the stone and how many. They will examine your dog and may take X-rays or use ultrasound to see whether a stone is in the stomach or intestine. If it is caught early and still in the stomach, it may be removed with an endoscope under anaesthetic. A stone stuck in the intestine usually needs surgery. Dogs with toxin exposure receive supportive treatment based on their signs. Your vet will tailor care to your dog.
Prevention
- Remove the stone before sharing any fruit.
- Keep fruit bowls, compost bins and rubbish out of reach.
- Pick up windfalls daily, or restrict access to fruit trees.
- Remind children not to give dogs whole fruit or stones.
FAQ
Can dogs eat nectarines with the skin on?
The skin is not toxic. Washing the fruit and cutting it into small pieces is enough.
My dog swallowed a nectarine stone and seems fine. Should I wait?
Call your vet now. Signs of a blockage can take a day or more to appear, and early removal is simpler.
Are nectarines better than peaches for dogs?
They are very similar. The same rules apply: flesh only, no stones.
Can puppies eat nectarines?
A tiny piece is unlikely to harm a puppy, but puppies need their energy from a balanced puppy food.
Talk with a vet
If your dog has helped themselves to the fruit bowl or the backyard tree, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you weigh the risk and decide whether your dog needs to be seen. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Peach (Prunus persica, which includes nectarines).
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. What should I feed my dog?
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Small Animals.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Tremorgenic Neuromycotoxicosis in Dogs.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia and New Zealand), 1300 869 738.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.