Can Dogs Eat Peaches? Are Peaches Good for Dogs?

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Marissa Prizio attended the University of New Hampshire and earned a bachelor's degree in biomedical Animal Science. Marissa has always enjoyed writing; she was even mixing literature classes into her science major in college. During her writing career, she has edited eBooks, written for a variety of websites, and created audio-visual courses for sustainability.

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Updated on: 07/13/2023

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Is there anything better than enjoying some summertime sunshine with a juicy peach? This tasty treat is best enjoyed when shared on a hot day, which leaves many pet parents wondering, “Can dogs eat peaches?” Like many other human foods, peaches are a nuanced treat that can be enjoyed by your pup when properly presented, but can also be dangerous if improperly shared. ^[1] ^[2]

In today’s article, the most important points for sharing peaches with your pup will be covered. This way you can both enjoy this summertime delicacy safely!

Are Peaches Good for Dogs?

Dogs may be omnivores, but a dog’s digestive system is different from our own. They can derive valuable benefits from dog-safe fruits, like peaches, but excessive quantities and improper preparation can be detrimental.

When you feed your dog peaches in a safe way they can be a good treat that benefits your dog’s health. Not only are peaches a delicious treat that adds some novelty to your dog’s diet, but they are also a good source of antioxidants, vitamins that support the immune system, and fiber. ^[1] ^[2] On a hot day, they can also be a refreshing treat or be mixed into your dog’s meal to encourage them to eat other food.

Peaches have their benefits, but like many human foods, they still pose some risks so we can’t consider them to be entirely good for our canine companions. Like any new food, peaches also have a risk of causing an allergic reaction or upset stomach. If you do allow your dog to eat some properly prepared peaches for the first time, start with a small amount and keep an eye on them to see how they react. ^[2]

Why Are Peaches Bad for Dogs?

If dogs can eat peaches, then what makes peaches bad for dogs? Well, there are a few reasons why peaches can be problematic for dogs, but the good news is they can be avoided if you know about the possible risks!

The first problem with peaches is peach stones, or peach pits as they are more commonly called. This is the seed of a peach, and if you have ever eaten one before, you know they are quite large and rough on the outside. When dogs eat peaches, they are not necessarily aware of the pit and may accidentally consume it. This poses a serious choking hazard, and even if a dog manages to swallow the pit, it can cause an intestinal blockage or damage the intestinal tract as it passes through. ^[1] ^[2]

A peach pit also poses a second threat. The pit, leaves, and stem of peaches contain trace amounts of a sugar cyanide compound. If dogs consume enough of this compound they can end up with cyanide poisoning. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include an upset stomach, difficulty breathing, and death if not treated quickly. ^[3]

Cyanide toxicity and choking are major health threats that require you to see a veterinarian immediately, but peaches can also have less severe impacts on your pet’s health. Peaches, especially preserved peaches, have a high sugar content compared to most foods dogs eat. When sugar is consumed in excess, it draws an excess of water into a dog’s digestive system. The result is an abnormal electrolyte balance, diarrhea, upset stomach, and possibly vomiting. ^[4]

It is also worth noting that these risks are all relative to size, so the amount of sugar or cyanide required to affect a small dog is much less than that of a 70-pound dog.

How to Safely Feed Your Dog Peaches

So how can you make peaches into a healthy treat with all of the health benefits and none of the risks? It might be easier than you think.

Let’s start with picking out the right peaches. Fresh peaches are best, and bonus points if they are grown without pesticides. Choosing fresh peaches helps you prevent your pet from consuming the excess sugar or the xylitol that may be hidden in canned or frozen equivalents. ^[1] If you can’t get pesticide-free peaches, be sure to clean them well before cutting them, since pets and people can have negative reactions to pesticides. ^[2]

The next priority is removing all choking hazards. The peach pit is the most obvious choking hazard and should be removed first. Stems and leaves are less likely to cause a choking hazard than peach pits, but they do contain some natural cyanide and should be carefully removed as well.

With the peach pits out of the way, it’s time to determine how many peaches are too many peaches to feed your dog. The general recommendation is a 10/90 rule, suggesting that 10% of your dog’s diet can be treats while the other 90% should remain their normal kibble. ^[2] This helps dogs eat a balanced diet but still allows you to feed your dog the occasional healthy treat.

After considering how much of a peach constitutes 10% or less of your dog’s normal diet, cut it into slices or cubes. Peach slices may be easy for big dogs to consume, but you may have to serve peaches as smaller slices or cubes for little dogs. If this is your pet’s first time eating peaches, extra caution is always recommended since no amount of preparation can guarantee they won’t have an upset stomach or allergic reaction to new foods.

Photo by Rarnie McCudden from Pexels

Can Dogs Eat Peach Yogurt?

Peaches and peach yogurt are completely different foods. Dogs can eat peaches, but having dogs eat peach yogurt may not be such a good idea. The way many companies put that peach flavor in their yogurt is through added sugar and artificial flavors, both of which are not conducive to a dog’s health. ^[4]

Another major concern is artificial sweeteners, like xylitol. Yogurt that is sugar free, but still sweet like a peach likely contains a man-made sugar replacement. This is a big concern because xylitol is toxic to dogs and should be avoided at all costs. ^[5]

READ MORE: Can Dogs Have Whipped Cream?

Peach Slices with Other Dog-Safe Fruits

Now that you know dogs eat peaches as long as the peach pits are removed, you may be wondering what other healthy fruits can be used as summertime snacks. Some fruits are obvious, like blueberries which can be found in a number of dog biscuits. You can also offer your dog strawberries, cantaloupe, bananas, and many other fruits. ^[6]

Much like peaches, other dog safe fruits can contain a hidden choking hazard. Be sure to remove pits, seeds, and other inedible portions of fruits before sharing. Most fruits are a great source of vitamin C with anti-inflammatory properties, but like any other new food they can cause an upset stomach so be mindful of portion sizes.

READ MORE: Can Dogs Eat Pineapples?

Can my dog eat canned peaches?

Canned peaches are not superior to a fresh peach in the dog world. When this summer fruit is canned or frozen, extra sugar is normally added to help it retain flavor in its preserved state. Canned peaches may also contain artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. ^[1] ^[2]

Most dog-safe fruits are well-prepared fresh fruits, so if you are going to feed your dog peaches, stick with fresh peaches. If your dog does somehow get into canned peaches, it may be in their best interest to see a veterinarian immediately, especially if they eat a large quantity or if the peaches contained any xylitol. ^[5]

READ MORE: Can You Give a Dog Tums?

FAQ’s

What happens if my dog eats a peach?

What happens when your dog accidentally eats a peach depends on how they eat the peach. Dogs that eat peaches whole, peach pit and all, are at risk for choking, intestinal blockages, and cyanide poisoning. Dogs that eat the peach meat in excess, but no pit or stem, may feel ill and experience dehydration depending on how big the portion was compared to their body size.

How many peaches can a dog eat?

If you are going to feed peaches to your dog, it is best to follow the 10/90 rule. Be sure to not give a dog more than 10% of their normal daily meal intake in peaches. ^[2] This amount varies greatly depending on breed and body weight. If your dog experiences stomach upset with peaches then 0 peaches may be the best amount for them, and if you fear your dog ate too many peaches contact a veterinarian.

Can dogs eat peaches with skin?

When feeding peaches to a dog, you want to remove any choking hazards or toxic parts. For most dogs, the skin is not a choking hazard, but it can contain pesticides. If you plan to feed your dog a peach slice with the skin still on, wash it thoroughly first. ^[1]

What fruits can a dog not eat?

Dogs should not eat very acidic fruits since they can hurt their stomach. Dogs absolutely can not eat grapes or raisins since they are toxic to dogs. ^[6]

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