Are Peaches Safe for Your Dog? Can Dogs Eat Peaches?
Although dogs in the wild search out and decide on their food, relying on their systems to tell them what’s safe and what’s not, once they’re in your care, it becomes your responsibility to feed them things that are healthy for them.
In deciding what to feed your canine friend, you’ve probably come across plenty of options. There’s wet and dry food, brand-name and generic. Many types of treats with varied ingredients and supplements promise to keep your dog healthy and happy.
Furthermore, many people are going the route of feeding their dog a raw-food or whole-food diet instead of food from a box, bag, or can. They think that whole foods lessen their dog’s exposure to preservatives, dyes, and chemicals. They’re often right!
It’s important to research every food you give your dog, though, whether it’s for their main food source or as a fun and delicious treat. Your dog is your loyal companion, one that you want to have by your side for years and years! This means you want to add anything to their diet to help them thrive and avoid anything that might make them sick.
Are peaches one of the foods that you can safely give your pup? Almost always, yes. However, there are a few considerations before going gung-ho with this summer-favorite fruit.
Benefits of Peaches for Dogs
Dogs are carnivores, meaning they eat mostly meat in the wild. However, today’s dogs eat varied diets containing grain, fruit, and vegetables. These foods contain a variety of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that add to a dog’s immunity and overall health. Peaches, specifically, are a beautiful bright color, which means they’re full of rich nutrition. This nutrition can’t be replicated in any commercial dog food (or human food), so giving it to your pet in its natural form is a great way to provide them with what they need.
Giving your dog peaches is a great way to provide them with vitamin A and fiber. Fiber is important for keeping a dog’s digestive system running regularly. If your dog gets gassy, constipated, or is getting older and showing signs of digestive troubles, then adding fiber-rich fruit to their diet could help balance things out.
Fruit is low in calories, too, which is perfect if you’re keeping your dog on a lean diet to prevent them from gaining too much weight. They also have a high water content, so they’re great to toss to your pup after a long hike or afternoon at the dog park to stay hydrated. Remember that peaches have a high amount of sugar, even though it’s natural, so be careful if your dog is diabetic.
If you have a peach tree or you have a large number of peaches that you don’t want to go to waste, you can wash and cut them up, then freeze them. Frozen peaches are a fun treat for your doggo on a hot day and can help get some hydration in when it’s especially needed!
Peaches can also help fight off infections because of their vitamin content. So, if your dog is feeling under the weather, this would be a good choice for a treat.
Things to Think About When Feeding Your Dog Peaches
Peaches are full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy enzymes that will keep your canine jumping for more. However, there are a few things to consider.
First, make sure that you’re removing the pit. The pit is rough and serrated, which will irritate your dog’s digestive tract. Peach pits, or stones, are also dangerous to dogs because they contain a compound called amygdalin, which is a sugar-cyanide. The stems and leaves also contain this compound. So, if you have a peach tree in your yard and your furry friend roams free, make sure that there’s a fence to keep them away from the peach trees or that you pick up leaves and fallen fruit regularly.
Furthermore, a peach stone is exactly the size that could present a choking hazard! So, make sure to place that pit right in the trash can. Then, cut the peach up into a size that’s appropriate for your dog. A large breed, such as a golden retriever, might be fine with a peach cut in half or quarters, while a smaller terrier may need bite-sized chunks.
When you feed your pup peaches, always go for fresh ones. Organic is best because they won’t have toxic pesticides; peaches have a thin skin which means they’re highly susceptible to sprayed chemicals. If you can’t find organic, wash and rinse them well. Make sure that the fruit isn’t moldy, too. Of course, dogs don’t mind eating things that are a bit past their “best by” time, but you don’t want to give them something that has turned, which will turn their stomach, too.
Canned or preserved peaches have incredibly high amounts of sugar, so don’t ever feed your dog these. They’re often sitting in corn syrup or another liquid full of preservatives, too, so if you’re choosing whole foods to avoid this, you’ll want to stay away from anything remotely processed. Even if you’re only going the fresh route, peaches still have high sugar content, so they should be given in moderation, just like any treat.
Just like any new food you give your dog, start small. Watch how they react. If they show signs of digestive pain, itchiness, or irritability, take them to the veterinarian, noting that you gave them peaches as a new food. Don’t give too much fruit at once, either, because this might cause diarrhea. Of course, if you see a reaction or irritation, avoid peaches in the future.
Other Fruits That Your Dog Might Love
If your pup has shown an affinity for the juicy, fresh peaches you toss to them here and there, maybe you want to add some variety! These fruits are also enjoyable treats that you can add to their rotation.
Remember that dogs should never have grapes and raisins. Some other fruits, such as grapefruit, also have enzymes that could be toxic to dogs. Check with your veterinarian before trying any new food, and always watch for signs of pain, irritability, or digestive upset. It’s always best to try new food in small portions, too, so that if there is an adverse reaction, it’s small and will hopefully pass quickly. Dogs can be allergic to particular foods just like people, so that’s something to think about as well. We have compiled a big list of all the fruits your dogs should eat here.
Since all fruits are high in sugar, one of the best ways to ensure that you’re keeping your dog healthy while providing variety is to go with the 90/10 rule. This means that 90 percent of your canine’s sustenance should come from their regular dog food. The other 10 percent can come from treats and meal additions, such as peaches, other fruits, and veggies such as sweet potatoes and many other.
Conclusion
Fruit is a fun and healthy treat that can add variety to a dog’s diet and add extra vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that keep them thriving and happy for many years. Dogs who eat peaches have a diet full of vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants, which keeps your furry friend healthy and happy. However, too much fruit can cause digestive upset, and peach pits are very dangerous for dogs, so take care that you’re only giving your pup a safe amount.
