Your dog can eat a reasonable amount of nectarines without experiencing any issues. It’s important that the nectarines are fresh and that you remove the pit. Other than that, they’re safe.
Did your dog eat a nectarine, and you’re worried that it could be harmful? Depending on how much your dog consumes, it could be harmful or could not be harmful.
Suppose your dog has a large amount of nectarine. In that case, you should keep an eye on them to ensure they do not show any symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, cyanide poisoning, or any neurological issues.
Can dogs eat nectarines? Do you like nectarines and want to give some to your dog? As long as you follow these recommendations, you can give your pup a few nectarine pieces without it being much of a concern.
Do Nectarines Hurt Dogs?
If given to your dog in a small portion, nectarines will not hurt your dog. Since nectarines are rich in fiber, your dog can develop some stomach troubles if they eat too large of a portion. Compare the portion size to a loaf of bread. Instead of giving your dog the whole loaf, a small dog should only get one to two slices, and a large dog should only get four to five pieces.
The preservatives and added sugar in nectarines might make the fruit taste delicious but is not healthy for your dog. In addition to stomach issues, the sugar in the nectarines can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.
Health Risks of Eating Nectarines for Dogs
While fresh nectarines are not considered toxic for your pup, it is still not a good idea to allow your dog to eat them. If they overeat your dog might become ill, causing gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and vomiting. However, if your dog consumes a rotten nectarine, that can be toxic.
Rotten nectarines produce Ethanol like all fruits do when they become rotten. Ethanol is toxic to your dog because it can cause severe central nervous system depression, acidosis, and even put your dog in a coma. These effects likely happen because of your dog’s sensitivity to specific proteins and ion channels.
Health Benefits of Eating Nectarines for Dogs
Even though nectarines are not recommended to give to your pup, they contain an excellent dietary fiber source. They are filled with vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium. However, it is essential to know that your dog’s body can already produce a sufficient amount of vitamin C. Offering your dog fruits, especially nectarines, is not necessary.
How Many Nectarines Can a Dog Eat?
If you have a small dog, it can have one or two nectarine slices. If you have a larger dog, you should give them no more than five slices. Portion sizes are vital when it comes to giving your pup a nectarine. If you properly portion out the nectarine for your dog, it will likely not have any health-related issues from consuming the fruit.
Can Dogs Have White Nectarines?
Yes, dogs can have white nectarines. White nectarines still have the same effects on your dog as yellow nectarines. However, white nectarines contain more sugar and less acid than yellow ones. Yellow nectarines contain less sugar, making them a better option for your dog to consume compared to white nectarines.
Can Dogs Have Canned Nectarines?
Avoid canned nectarines when feeding your dog. Canned nectarines contain a ton of sugar and preservatives, making them unhealthy for your pup. If you are going to give your dog nectarines, it is best to provide them with fresh ones.
Is the Nectarine Pit Safe for Dogs?
Nectarine pits are not safe for dogs. While it is often overlooked, the pit is another harmful element of nectarine. A nectarine or peach pit contain small amounts of cyanide, which is poisonous to your pup.
In addition, pits are a choking hazard, and they can cause intestinal blockage if your dog swallows them. If your pup does eat a pit, you should contact your dog’s vet as soon as possible.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Nectarine Pit
Keep a close eye out for symptoms of lethargy, decreased appetite, a painful abdomen, and vomiting. If your dog is showing signs of these symptoms, it is an emergency, and your dog will need to be seen right away.
If your dog has cyanide poisoning from the pit, your dog will develop dilated pupils, dizziness, and excessive salivation. See your vet immediately if you believe your dog has cyanide poisoning. If cyanide poisoning is left untreated, your dog can experience shock, seizures, coma, or death.
How to Feed Nectarine to Your Dog Safely
If you are going to give nectarine to your dog, you should remove the pit before letting your dog eat it. Besides being harmful to your dog’s health, pits can break your pup’s tooth when it chews it. Once you remove the pit, cut the nectarine into even slices. You should pay close attention to portion size and only give your dog the recommended amount for its size.
What Does Nectarine Contain?
Nectarines contain the following ingredients.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Copper
- Dietary Fiber
- Fat
- Sodium
- Carbohydrates
- Sugars
- Protein
While many of these ingredients are not harmful to your beloved pup, ingredients like sugar are what can cause issues.
What Will the Vet Do If Your Dog Ate Too Many Nectarines?
Your dog’s vet will examine to determine if they have any bowel blockages or obstructions. If your dog has at least two poisoning symptoms, your dog’s vet will most likely take x-rays of your pup’s abdomen to ensure that everything is moving along smoothly.
Suppose your vet thinks your dog has cyanide poisoning from ingesting a pit. In that case, the vet will use Hydroxocobalamin because it is practical, has low toxicity, and will clear the cyanide out of your dog’s system. If your dog has become ill from eating a nectarine, your vet will most likely induce vomiting so your dog can rid their body of the nectarine.
The vet might have to perform surgery on your pup if they have a bowel obstruction. If your dog shows signs of Ethanol poisoning, your vet will do a blood test, urine test, or pH test to confirm the heightened acid levels in its body. Once it is approved, the vet will give your dog IV fluids or medications, depending on the severity of the poisoning.
Is Intestinal Blockage Surgery for Dogs Serious?
Yes, intestinal blockage surgery is serious. It requires anesthesia, and your dog will remain in the hospital for several days after the surgery is completed. When vets perform intestinal blockage surgery, your vet will make an incision near the blockage site. Then, they will remove the pit from your dog’s abdomen.
Intestinal blockages typically happen when your dog consumes the pit of a nectarine. Typically, this surgery is successful in dogs. However, if the pet has been stuck in your dog’s intestines for days, it can cause more issues.
It is crucial to contact the vet immediately if you believe your dog has ingested a pit, so additional complications don’t arise. If your dog were healthy before the surgery, you would probably have nothing to worry about.
Can dogs eat nectarines: Final verdict
Can dogs eat nectarines? Dogs can certainly eat nectarines, as long as the portion is controlled and the pit is removed. You should avoid giving your dog canned nectarines because they are loaded with sugar and preservatives.
If your dog did consume a large amount of nectarine, contact your vet as soon as possible and don’t panic. You should closely watch your dog and see if they show any symptoms of stomach troubles, dilated pupils, vomiting, or diarrhea.
If these symptoms are present in your dog, you will need to contact your vet and bring your dog in to be seen. As long as you are careful about how much your dog consumes and follow these recommendations, your pup can safely enjoy some nectarine.
