Nectarines (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) is a delectably sweet fruit, especially during the summer.
They are technically a variety of peach (Prunus persica) but have shiny, rather than fuzzy, skin.
If your dog has enjoyed peaches, they’ll likely take to nectarine. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can dogs eat nectarines?”, this article is for you.
Dogs can eat nectarines in limited quantities. It discusses the various nectarines and whether they are good for or bad for your pet.
Are Nectarines Good for Dogs?
Dogs can consume a variety of things because they are omnivores. Their digestive systems can process protein from fish, vegetables, and mammals. They can also digest fats and carbs, allowing them to consume various foods.
Fruit can be a valuable addition to your dog’s diet, and many canines like the texture and flavor of the fruit. But on the other hand, our canine companions can safely eat strawberries in moderation.
Nectarines in little quantities make a tasty addition to your dog’s regular snack menu. They are sweet and juicy, and they are also nutrient-rich.
Therefore, the answer to the question “Can dogs eat nectarines?” is YES!
Nectarines include several nutrients that are beneficial for your dog, including:
- Dietary fiber – Fiber is incredibly beneficial for a dog’s digestive system. It encourages healthy colon function and assists in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria in the bowel.
- Magnesium – Magnesium aids in the proper functioning of the neurological system and aids in the absorption of essential nutrients and vitamins.
- Potassium – Potassium aids in maintaining regular renal function in your dog. Additionally, it supports healthy digestion, muscle health, and heart health.
- Vitamin C – A vital antioxidant is vitamin C. It lessens inflammation and cognitive aging.
- Vitamin A – This is beneficial for your dog’s vision. Additionally, it aids female canines’ growth, fetal development, immune system, and cell function.
- Sugar – We and our dogs both enjoy the sweet flavor of fruits. The drawback is that if too much sugar is consumed, it can cause health issues and give the food a pleasing taste. Foods that are heavy in sugar might irritate your stomach and make you throw up and have diarrhea. It’s also believed that dogs, like people, can experience a sugar rush, making them appear hyperactive. A high-sugar diet can induce tooth decay and dental disease in dogs, as well as obesity and diabetes over the long term.
Are Nectarines Safe for Dogs?
“Can dogs eat nectarines?” Yes, because the fruit itself is safe. However, the pit contains minute levels of cyanide. So one of the things you need to be concerned about is the high sugar levels of fiber and nectarines.
Too much sugar, especially fruit, can lead to weight gain and dental problems. In addition, nectarines contain a lot of fiber, especially in the skin, which could upset your dog’s stomach or cause loose stools.
While most dogs can eat a modest quantity of fruit without experiencing any side effects, you should start with tiny quantities and work your way up to larger ones.
Giving a dog a large piece of nectarine could cause an upset stomach or diarrhea in some dogs who may be more sensitive to eating strange fruits.
Fresh fruit may cause problems if a dog’s digestive system isn’t used to handling it. Some dogs’ digestive systems can also ferment the fruit, causing gas and flatulence.
Any canned fruit will be loaded with sugar because it is usually part of the preservation process. However, most preserved fruit also contains sugar, preservatives, and maybe colors. These are all harmful to dogs.
How Can I Safely Give Nectarine to My Dog?
To feed your dog nectarines, prepare the fruit following these steps:
Wash your fresh fruit. Rinse your fruit to remove pesticides and preservatives before preparing the juicy fruit for your dog. Give your dog only ripe, fresh fruit, and look for decay. Cut off rotten pieces.
Furthermore, because decaying fruits release ethanol, which harms dogs, rotten nectarines can be unhealthy for your pets. Both toxicities include ataxia, loss of muscle control, and repeated vomiting.
Washing the outside is crucial, even though your dog shouldn’t have any issues with the nectarine’s skin. Unfortunately, harmful pesticides are frequently present on fruits’ exteriors after a short and thorough wash.
Then, just as you would probably do for yourself, cut the nectarine in half, remove the pit, and chop it into chunks or thin slices before serving it to your dog!
Last, it would be best if you never let your dog come in contact with the nectarine pit. Under no circumstance should you give your dog a full nectarine or allow them to chew on the pit. These pits put your dog in danger of intestinal blockage in addition to being a choking hazard.
They risk breaking their teeth by chewing on the pits, resulting in more expensive dental work or possibly tooth loss. Your dog might, at the very least, experience avoidable abdominal pain.
These pits have sharp edges and are the perfect size to get stuck in the digestive tract. Your dog will require surgery to get it removed if that occurs.
“Can dogs eat nectarines?” You can give your pet nectarines you purchase from the grocery store as a nutritious treat. But always remember to remove the pits before giving your dog nectarines.
As previously mentioned, nectarine pits contain cyanide much as peach pits do. A little kernel inside the pit is made of the substance amygdalin. This substance, when consumed, causes the stomach to produce hydrogen cyanide.
Although it might not be sufficient to kill a large dog, it could be harmful and cause poisoning. A single pit may have enough cyanide residues to produce a significant reaction in tiny dogs, possibly even death.
Cyanide poisoning symptoms include:
- Drooling
- Watery eyes
- Vomiting
- Voiding of urine and feces
- Muscle spasms
Unfortunately, dogs can swiftly progress to convulsions and even die, so it’s critical to bring them to the clinic immediately. Remember that it will take less cyanide to cause problems for a smaller dog than a larger one.
Can Dogs Eat Nectarine When Cooked?
Nectarines can be prepared in various ways to generate treats fit for human consumption. These foods are rated according to how risky they are for your pet.
- Dried nectarines may create cavities in your dog’s teeth if they become lodged there. They are not suitable dog treats.
- Nectarine extract is a safe ingredient to use in homemade dog treats, but it shouldn’t be given to your dog on its own.
- Nectarine Ice Cream: A small amount is safe for dogs who are not lactose intolerant.
- Nectarine Jam: Although this jam has too much sugar to be a suitable treatment, dogs can still eat it.
- Nectarine Juice – Due to the excessive sugar content, dogs should never consume any juice.
- Frozen treats – To prepare a quick and simple frozen summer treat for your dog, puréed nectarines and freeze them in ice cube trays. Summers can be incredibly sweltering. This could be a useful strategy for keeping your dog cool.
- For a fancier dish (maybe for a dog party), combine the purée with some plain yogurt and add pieces of other fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and blueberries. Your own homemade “pupsicles” can be manufactured using this mixture frozen in ice cube trays or even little cups.
How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Nectarines
“Can dogs eat nectarines?” Absolutely Yes, but Nectarines should only be served to your dog neatly and not retrieved from the dining room table, kitchen counters, or trash can! Retrieved Nectarines can cause gastrointestinal obstructions, choking, and poisoning.
Here are some suggestions about how to prevent that from occurring:
- Avoid letting your dog consume human food. If you feed your dog from your plate, they will only be more likely to help themselves while you aren’t looking! Try to prevent the entire family from engaging in this behavior.
- Effective training methods. Train your dog to obey the instruction to “leave it” and to refrain from stealing food off the kitchen worktops. There are several helpful training books available that can assist with this.
- Make sure your dog isn’t starving. Because they contain a lot of protein and healthy carbohydrates, premium dog meals help dogs feel satiated for longer. Avoid filler-filled, less expensive foods that won’t satisfy your dog for very long. This will prevent them from collecting leftover human food.
- Keep your dog apart from food waste. Keep leftover human food in a garbage container that has a tightly fitting dog-proof cover. Also, if necessary, use a head halter to direct your dog away from food that has been left on the pavement.
