Can Dogs Eat Nectarines?

Yes, dogs can eat nectarines! They are perfectly safe and can be a tasty addition to regular dog meals. Nectarines are healthy, juicy, and refreshing, making them a great choice for your dog’s fruit bowl.

Table Of Contents

Are nectarines good for dogs?
Benefits of nectarines for dogs
Busting the myth: If dogs eat nectarine pits, they will get cyanide poisoning
- Nectarine pits have tiny amounts of cyanide
FAQs

Just be careful when feeding your dog nectarines. It’s better to wash and chop them before giving them to your dog rather than letting them eat them whole, as the pits are quite rough. Like with other fruits, such as peaches or exotic ones like lychee and persimmons, there’s a risk of your dog hurting their teeth or gums or even choking on the pits, so it’s better to remove them.

Are nectarines good for dogs?

Nectarines are healthy, nourishing, and hydrating, which makes them a good fruit. However, I wouldn’t say they are particularly necessary for dogs, as dogs don’t really need much fruit in their diet. So there’s no need to include nectarines in their menu intentionally.

That said, it’s good to know there are some health benefits for dogs, but as with all fruit, don’t overdo it. Dogs can’t handle too much fiber, and they don’t really need extra vitamin C since they can synthesize their own in the liver! So, nectarines can be a refreshing treat for dogs, but they shouldn’t be a regular part of their diet.

Benefits of nectarines for dogs

Hydration

Nectarines are full of water, which makes them a great way to keep your dog hydrated. This is especially helpful on hot days or after a lot of activity when your dog needs some extra fluids. The juicy bite of a nectarine can be just what they need to cool down.

Tasty treat

Nectarines are naturally sweet and tasty, so they’re a treat most dogs will love. Since they’re low in calories, you can feel good about giving them to your dog as a snack without worrying about adding too many extra calories to their diet. It’s a better choice than processed treats.

Fiber for constipation

Nectarines have fiber, which can help keep your dog’s digestion on track. If your dog’s dealing with a bit of constipation, the fiber in nectarines might help get things moving. Just be careful, as too much fiber is not good for dogs. It will cause other digestive issues, and it can mess up their regular bowel movements!

Good choice for overweight dogs

If your dog is watching their weight, nectarines can be a smart snack. They’re low in calories but still have a sweet, satisfying taste. It’s a great alternative to higher-calorie treats, so it’s something you can give to your dog as a treat, but without worrying about them getting fat.

Busting the myth: If dogs eat nectarine pits, they will get cyanide poisoning

It’s true that nectarine pits contain a compound called amygdalin, which can release cyanide when digested. However, the idea that a dog will immediately suffer cyanide poisoning after eating a single nectarine pit is a bit of a myth. While cyanide is dangerous, it actually takes a significant amount of pits—far more than just one—to reach a level that would be toxic to a dog.

Nectarine pits have tiny amounts of cyanide

The cyanide content in nectarine pits is relatively low compared to other fruit pits. For example, nectarine pits contain about 0.1 mg of cyanide per gram of seed, which is quite small. To even begin to reach a toxic level, a dog would need to consume a large number of pits and thoroughly chew them up, which releases the cyanide. Most dogs aren’t likely to chew through enough pits to cause serious harm.

Read this text in the Guardian about a detailed analysis of cyanide poisoning. Apple seeds contain a substance called amygdalin, which can turn into hydrogen cyanide when the seeds are chewed or broken down. But the amount of cyanide is really tiny, and you’d need to eat a whole lot of seeds to actually get poisoned.

Cyanide poisoning happens at doses between 0.5–3.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, with fatal doses starting at 1.5 milligrams per kilogram. Since each apple seed has about 3 milligrams of amygdalin per gram, and not all of it converts to cyanide, the risk is pretty low. So, while it’s true that apple seeds have cyanide, it’s not something you need to stress over unless you’re eating seeds by the handful—which isn’t likely!

However, it’s still important to remove the pits before giving nectarines to your dog. The bigger concern is the risk of choking or causing an intestinal blockage, which can be serious. So, while cyanide poisoning from a single pit is unlikely, it’s best to avoid giving your dog any pits at all.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Here are the most popular questions about whether dogs can eat nectarines! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment, and I’ll be happy to reply!

Can dogs eat white nectarines?

Yep, dogs can definitely eat white nectarines! Just like the regular kind, they’re safe for dogs to munch on in moderation. They’re juicy and hydrating, so they make a nice little treat. But, of course, always take out the pit first—it’s a choking hazard and has a tiny bit of cyanide, which isn’t something you want your dog eating.