By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
A few pieces of fresh, ripe peach are a perfectly reasonable summer treat for most dogs. The flesh is juicy, low in fat and not toxic. What gets dogs into trouble is everything around that flesh: the hard, ridged pit, the leaves and stems of the tree, sugary tinned peaches, and peach desserts made with butter, cream and pastry. If you know which parts to avoid, sharing a peach is easy.
Key takeaways
- Fresh peach flesh, cut into small pieces, is not toxic to dogs.
- Peach pits are a choking and intestinal obstruction risk, and their kernels contain cyanogenic glycosides.
- The ASPCA lists the peach plant as toxic because the stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide-producing compounds, especially when wilting.
- Tinned peaches in syrup, peach cobbler and peach pastries are high in sugar and fat.
- If your dog swallows a pit, call your vet, even if they seem well.
- Related: peach pits and dogs, intestinal blockage in dogs.
Fresh peaches: how to share
Peach flesh offers water, fibre and some vitamins. Dogs on a complete and balanced diet do not need it, but it can be a nice low fat treat. To share safely:
- Wash the fruit and remove the pit and any stem or leaves.
- Cut the flesh into bite-sized pieces suited to your dog's size.
- Offer a small amount the first time and watch for loose stools.
- Treat it as an occasional extra, within your dog's daily treat allowance.
Peach skin is not toxic, but some dogs with sensitive stomachs do better with it removed.
Tinned peaches and peach desserts
Tinned peaches are usually packed in syrup or juice. The extra sugar can upset a dog's stomach and is unhelpful for overweight or diabetic dogs. "Lite" or sugar-free fruit products may contain sweeteners, so check the label before sharing anything. Peach cobbler, crumble, pie and Danish pastries add butter, cream and flour, and a large serve of rich food can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea or pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.
Why the pit is the danger
Peach pits are large, hard and deeply ridged. A dog that swallows one whole can end up with the pit stuck in the stomach outlet or small intestine. The rough surface can damage the gut wall, and a stuck pit can stop food from passing, which can quickly become an emergency. Dogs that chew pits can also break teeth or swallow sharp fragments.
Inside the pit is a kernel containing amygdalin, which can release cyanide when crushed or chewed. The ASPCA notes that peach stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide and are particularly toxic when wilting, such as after a storm brings branches down. Dogs that chew fallen branches or crunch pits face the highest risk of poisoning.
Signs to watch for
After too much fruit:
- Soft stools or diarrhoea
- Wind or mild vomiting
After a swallowed pit (signs may take a day or more):
- Repeated vomiting
- Reduced appetite or refusing food
- Lethargy or seeming unwell
- A painful belly or hunched posture
- Straining with little faeces
After chewing pits, leaves or stems:
- Brick red gums, dilated pupils
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Weakness, collapse
When it is an emergency
Contact your vet straight away if your dog swallowed a peach pit, chewed pits or fallen branches, or ate a peach dessert in large amounts. Seek urgent care for repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, weakness or collapse. The Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) can advise on Australian poisoning concerns. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home, as a sharp or large pit can cause injury coming back up.
How vets diagnose and treat it
Your vet will examine your dog and may use X-rays or ultrasound to find a pit in the stomach or intestine. Pits caught early in the stomach may be removed with an endoscope under anaesthetic, avoiding surgery. Pits lodged in the intestine usually need surgery. Dogs with suspected cyanide exposure are assessed and given supportive treatment as needed. Dogs with simple stomach upset from fruit or desserts usually need supportive care. Your vet will choose the right approach for your dog.
Prevention
- Always remove pits before sharing fruit.
- Keep fruit bowls, lunchboxes and compost bins out of reach.
- Collect fallen fruit and branches from backyard peach trees, especially after wind or storms.
- Do not let dogs play with pits like toys.
FAQ
Can dogs eat peaches every day?
Small amounts as an occasional treat are fine for most dogs. Daily fruit adds sugar and may loosen stools.
My dog ate a whole peach, pit and all. What now?
Call your vet. Even if your dog seems fine, the pit can cause a blockage.
Are tinned peaches in juice OK?
A small piece rinsed of juice is unlikely to cause harm, but fresh is better. Check the label for sweeteners.
Is peach yoghurt safe for dogs?
Many dogs tolerate a little plain yoghurt, but flavoured yoghurts are sugary and may contain sweeteners. Check the label.
Talk with a vet
If your dog has swallowed a pit or got into a fruit dessert and you are not sure how worried to be, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide on next steps. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and non-toxic plants: Peach.
- American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Peaches?
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. What should I feed my dog?
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Small Animals.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats.
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.