Can Dogs Eat Prunes?

Prunes are dried plums and many enjoy the sweet flavor with its chewy texture. Unlike fresh juicy Plums, Prunes last longer in the pantry. Those that make Prunes would take the fresh Plums and dehydrate them so they last longer. I was enjoying some Prunes yesterday and my dogs wanted some too. But, can my dog eat Prunes? Here is the short answer. 

Can dogs eat Prunes? No, dogs should not eat Prunes. While Prunes are not toxic to dogs, they’re high in sugar and fiber, both of which can upset your dog’s digestive system. Prunes also contain pits which are not only harmful to dogs since they contain small traces of cyanide but can also be a choking hazard.   

In this article, we’ll discuss are Prunes safe for dogs to eat, are Prunes good for dogs to eat, can dogs have Prunes for constipation, and more! Let’s begin!

Can dogs have Prunes?

No, dogs should not have Prunes. Prunes are dried fruit that is very sweet. If you give your canine friends Prunes, the Prunes acts like candies to them.

Dog owners should avoid purposely feeding their pooch Prunes since this fruit is packed full of sugar and fiber and together, it can cause upset stomachs in dogs which is what we want to avoid.

Let’s dig deeper and see whether Prunes are dangerous or safe for our furry friends. We will also cover the different types of Prunes there are and whether they are safe for doggy consumption.

Are Prunes bad for dogs?

Yes, Prunes are bad for dogs because they are essentially dried plums. There are a few things to be aware of with regards to dried plums or Prunes. They contain high amounts of sugar and fiber and may still have pits in them. We will discuss this in detail next.

Can dogs eat Prunes safely?

If you’re wondering, “are Prunes safe for dogs?” the answer is no. Prunes should be avoided at all costs. The combination of high sugar content and fiber in the Prunes will shock and upset your furry friend’s digestive system. Let’s discuss both of these individually.

Prunes are full of sugar which is harmful to dogs

First, if your pooch is diabetic or pre-diabetic, avoid feeding them Prunes. The sugar-packed Prunes will only worsen your dog’s condition. 

When dogs eat Prunes, they get a sugar rush which can spike their blood sugar level and affect their energy and mood. You probably don’t want your K9 friends to dash around the house like zombies. 

While a slice of Prune or one Prune should be fine if your pooch accidentally ate them, ingesting more than that can lead to dental issues (cavities and tooth decay), weight gain, heart disease, metabolic changes, upset stomach, and even pancreatitis.

Prunes are high in fiber which can cause discomfort in dogs

Fiber is necessary for maintaining a healthy gut balance in dogs. With just the right amount of fiber intake, your dogs will have a healthy colon with regular bowels.  

However, eating more than one Prunes can actually hurt your pooch. That’s because too much fiber can have the opposite effect on dogs. 

After two or three Prunes, your K9 friends may experience the following symptoms: 

• Loss of appetite. 
• Vomiting. 
• Diarrhea.
• Bloating.
• Cramps.

If you suspect your pooch ate a few Prunes and are having these symptoms, you’ll want to call your vet right away. Your vet may suggest a few ways to keep your canine friends more comfortable. 

Next, let’s discuss the pits in some Prunes.

Prunes may still have pits intact which are dangerous to dogs

While most of the dried plums do have the pits removed, there is a possibility that some dried plums or Prunes may still have the pits intact when you buy them. Here’s why pitted Prunes are harmful to dogs.

The pits contain small amounts of cyanide

The plum pit naturally contains compounds that are poisonous to dogs called cyanide. If the Prunes still have the pits in them, your dogs may chew or crush the seeds and this releases the toxic compound and cause cyanide poisoning in dogs. 

Some Prunes may contain broken pits and when dogs ingest them, they are also at risk of cyanide poisoning. 

Symptoms of cyanide poisoning in dogs include: 

• Difficulty breathing.
• Bright red gums.
• Fast or rapid breathing. 
• Salivation. 
• Convulsions.
• Paralysis. 

Cyanide poisoning requires immediate medical attention. If you suspect your furry friends have cyanide poisoning, we highly recommend you call your vet as you drive your pooch to the hospital. This way, the vet and staff will have the supplies ready to go for immediate treatment.

Handy Hint: Papaya seeds also contain cyanide. Proper preparation of the Papaya is crucial before feeding it to your pooch.

The pits could cause a choking hazard

In addition to cyanide poisoning, the pit can also be a choking hazard. It can get stuck in your dog’s throat and prohibits proper breathing. Some pits in the Prunes are broken pieces so they can have sharp edges. Sharp edge broken pit pieces can cause internal injury and bleeding when swallowed. 

If your pooch does manage to swallow the pit, the pit can get stuck in the dog’s intestine and cause intestinal or bowel obstruction.

Both of these types of obstruction also require immediate medical attention. In some cases, this may require surgery to get rid of the pit.

So, are Prunes safe for dogs to eat?

As we can see, Prunes are not safe for dogs to eat. Dog owners should avoid giving their pooch Prunes. Prunes cause more health problems to dogs than health benefits.  

It’s important to note that no two dogs are the same. One dog could have a horrible reaction while the other dog may be fine.

Are Prunes good for dogs?

No, Prunes are not good for dogs even though they aren’t toxic to dogs. Prunes contain high amounts of sugar and fiber and together they can cause upset stomach in dogs. Additionally, some Prunes may still contain pits which are harmful to dogs.

Can dogs eat dried Prunes?

No, dogs should not eat dried Prunes. Although, dried Prunes are not poisonous to dogs they are harmful to dogs. That’s because dried Prunes contain high sugar content so they are not considered a healthy treat for our canine friends. 

If your pooch sneaks in a bite or two of the dried Prunes, they should be fine, but it’s best that owners do not purposely feed their furry family members dried Prunes. 

Doing so or allowing your fur babies to eat dried Prunes regularly can cause weight gain due to the high sugar content and this may put your pooch at risk of many health issues, including diabetes and heart disease.

Can dogs eat pitted Prunes?

No, dogs should not eat pitted Prunes. While pitted Prunes should not contain the pit, there’s always a slim chance that there may be broken pits in them. The broken pits may have sharp edges and this can cause cyanide poisoning or internal bleeding in dogs.  

Although there may not be pits in the pitted Prunes, the high sugar and fiber content in pitted Prunes still makes them unsafe for doggy consumption.

Can dogs drink Prune juice?

No, dogs should not drink Prune juice. While Prune juice does not contain the high amount of fiber that causes upset stomachs in dogs, there’s still way too much sugar in it which is harmful to dogs. 

Too much sugar from the Prune juice can cause a whole host of health issues in dogs as we discussed above.

In general, dogs should avoid all kinds of fruit juices. They are full of sugar and consuming too much sugar is harmful to your dog’s health which outweighs any health benefits your dog will receive from them.

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Can dogs have Prune juice?

No, dogs should not have Prune juice. Prune juice contains way too much sugar and that is not safe for doggy consumption. Instead of Prune juice, stick to cool fresh water to keep your dog hydrated.

Is Prune juice good for dogs?

No, Prune juice is not good for dogs. It contains way too much sugar and that is harmful to your dog’s health. It’s best to keep Prune juice away from your canine friends.

Can dogs eat Prunes for constipation?

No, dogs should not eat Prunes for constipation. Since Prunes have high fiber content, many people resort to eating this sweet dried fruit to treat their constipation. 

So, can I give my dog prune juice for constipation? Absolutely not. You shouldn’t feed your dogs Prune to treat their constipation problem. 

There are other ways to treat your dogs with constipation such as pumpkin puree. It contains just the right amount of fiber for dogs to help with constipation problems without containing too much sugar. 

Your vet is always there to help you. We highly recommend that you consult with your vet and ask for natural ways to help your pooch with constipation.

So, can dogs eat Prunes?

Due to the high amounts of fiber and sugar in Prunes, it’s best to keep this sweet dried Plum fruit away from your four-legged friends. Allowing your dogs to eat Prunes puts them at risk of upset stomach, gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, metabolic changes, dental issues, and even pancreatitis. 

If your canine pals do happen to sneak a slice of Prune or one Prune, monitor them closely and be prepared to call your vet if you notice them experiencing the symptoms we listed above.

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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding dietary needs.

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prune

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/cyanide-poisoning/cyanide-poisoning-in-animals