Can Dogs Eat Plums? What to Know About Dogs and Plums

This fruit is healthy for humans, but can dogs eat plums? Read this guide before you share this juicy fruit with your pup.

After writing an entire guide about dogs and prunes, I knew writing about fresh and ripe plums was a very important topic to cover. Plums have less fiber and sugar than prunes, so can dogs eat them? Keep reading and find out how safe they are (and what to watch out for).

For ultimate pet safety, please ask your veterinarian any questions you have regarding your dog eating plums.

Can Dogs Eat Plums

As you munch on a juicy plum, have you ever wondered, “can dogs have plums? It’s a fantastic question since they are really high in sugar and have that large pit in the middle.

The answer isn’t a straight yes or no. You should definitely always keep the pit away from your dog. That’s no question. The plum fruit itself isn’t harmful to dogs, but it has so much sugar and fiber that it isn’t a good idea to give it to your pet as a regular part of their diet.

Keep reading and I’ll explain more about this purple fruit. You’ll learn everything you ever wondered about dogs and plums.

dog wondering about plums — Milo wondering about plums.

Are Plums Good For Dogs

Plums do have vitamins and minerals, but your dog should get all that they need from a healthy diet. Plums have too much sugar and fiber to be considered a healthy treat.

Plums are high in vitamin C and vitamin A but they are not good for smaller dogs or large dogs.

Are Plums Bad For Dogs

Plums can be considered bad for dogs if they already eat a diet that is high in sugar and fiber. Just like us, if a dog eats too much sugar, it can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

To give you a better idea of how much sugar it has, one whole plum has 7g of sugar. That’s about the same as 1.5 teaspoons of pure sugar.

Plums are also really high in fiber, which might cause digestive system problems. Most dogs will be ok after a few bites of plums, but if you notice these reactions in your pet, contact your vet:

Signs of Stomach Pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Coma
Difficulty Breathing
Itchy Skin

Danger of Plum Stones

Dog owners, the fruit pit is very dangerous for dogs. If they happen to ingest it, they might get plum poisoning. This is because the seed from the plum plant contains amygdalin, which breaks down into hydrogen cyanide when it is ingested. Never let your dog eat the seeds.

Are Plums Safe For Dogs

Even though they might not be a very healthy choice, plums are safe for dogs to eat. If they eat a few bites of plum fruit, they will probably be just fine.

Have you ever worried, “are plums poisonous to dogs?” What about, “are plums toxic to dogs?” Most people worry about the pit – and rightfully so! The pit contains cyanide, so dogs should never eat the pit.

The pit also poses a choking hazard and could cause an obstruction in their digestion system.

Plum fruits are not toxic or poisonous, but the pits are very dangerous. Never let your dog eat plum pit.

Popular Plum Varieties And Dogs

There are a bunch of different varieties of plums out there! Here are the most popular ones that you are most likely to run into.

They are all equally as safe for dogs. If there are any that are unsafe, I’ll point it out in the list.

Black Plums
Blood Plums – the only danger of this type is that they might stain your pet’s fur.
Cherry Plums – It’s more difficult to remove the pits from this fruit, so it’s best to keep them away from your dog.
Chinese Plums
Damson Plums
Green Plums – These are unripe and pretty sour, so your pet might not like them anyway.
Italian Plums
Japanese Plums
Kakadu Plums
Lemon Plums
Mirabelle Plums – Just like cherry plums, they are really small so it’s best to keep them away from your pet.
Ornamental Plums – It might be edible, but ornamental plums do not taste very good, so don’t give it to your dog.
Purple Plums
Red Plums
Victoria Plums
Wild Plums
Yellow Plums – This is from the same family as mirabelle plums. They are small so don’t let your dog eat them.

Can Dogs Eat Fresh Plums

Now let’s look at each part of fresh plums and how safe or dangerous they are for your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Whole Plums

No, dogs should not eat whole plums of any variety. You should always remove the pit and only give your dog small bites of plums if you want to share it with them. They can be a tasty snack in small quantities. If your canine friend eats too much, they might get an upset stomach.

Remember, do not let your dog eat an entire plum. Always remove the pits since they contain toxic substances.

Can Dogs Eat Plum Flesh

Yes, dogs can safely eat the flesh of the plum, in moderation. The flesh is where all the sugar is located. If your pet hasn’t had much sugar, then a few bites of plum flesh won’t hurt them.

Too much sugar is unhealthy for dogs. So make sure you are managing how much sugar they eat each day. Even natural sugar from these stone fruits can affect a dog’s blood sugar levels. Fruit is not a good idea for diabetic dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Plum Skin

Plum skin is pretty safe for dogs to eat, but it is also where most of the fiber is located. If your dog eats too much fiber, it could give them diarrhea or make them vomit.

Watch for those signs and keep the fruit away from your dog if they react badly to them.

Can Dogs Eat Plum Pits

What about the seeds? This is the most dangerous part. No, dogs should never be allowed to eat plum pits. It could cause intestinal blockage or cyanide poisoning.

Not only could your dog choke on it, but it could cause an obstruction in your dog’s digestive tracts.

Plum pits also have small amounts of cyanide and it’s extra dangerous for them to bite into a plum pit for this reason.

Can Dogs Have Plum Juice

Even though a few sips of plum juice might not hurt your dog immediately, pups should not drink any kind of fruit juice.

Juice has way too much sugar in it for it to be a healthy choice. Dogs should not consume too much sugar – which includes natural sources like plum juice.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Plums

Dogs can eat cooked plums, as long as they are cooked without any added sugar or unsafe ingredients.

It’s always best to err on the side of caution and keep cooked plums away from your furry friends.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Plums

Dried plums are called prunes. I have a complete and thorough guide all about dogs and prunes. It will answer all your questions. Basically, they are not a good occasional treat.

Foods With Plums

There are lots of desserts that us humans just love that are made with plums and other healthy fruits. Here are the most popular recipes and how safe they are for your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Plum Cake

No, dogs should not eat plum cake. Even though it might be safe, the high sugar content makes it a bad idea for dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Plum Jam

Dogs should not eat plum jam. It’s just pure sugar and has way too many calories for dogs to eat – especially dogs that are already fighting weight gain.

Can Dogs Eat Plum Pudding

Even though a few bites might not hurt them, dogs should not eat plum pudding. It’s basically junk food that will cause your dog to gain weight.

Can Dogs Eat Sugar Plums

Sugar plums are definitely a bad idea for dogs. The candy can contain fruit, seeds, or spices that are toxic to dogs. Recipes vary so you never know what is in them. Never give your dog anything that is loaded with sugar.

Dog Swallowed A Plum Stone – What Do I Do?

If your dog swallowed a plum pit, contact your veterinarian immediately. Since it has cyanide in it, this is a medical emergency.

These are the symptoms you should definitely watch out for:

Seizures
Foaming At the Mouth
Agitation
Collapsing
Shock
Trouble Breathing
Tremors
Convulsions
Foaming At The Mouth

My Dog Ate Plums – What Should I Do?

If your dog ate plums without the pits, then your dog will probably be ok. Watch out for signs of indigestion like vomiting or diarrhea.

Remember, if there is any chance that your dog ate the pits, call your veterinarian and watch for the signs of a toxic reaction.

Final Thoughts

A few bites of plums – without the pits – is probably ok for your pet. It’s best to not give them any plum on purpose. It just has way too much sugar and fiber in it to be good for your dog.

If you think your dog ate a plum pit, please call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are some articles about other fruits dogs can eat and whether they are safe or toxic for your dog:

Find even more articles on human food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!

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