Can Dogs Eat Nectarine? Everything You Need to Know

Yes, dogs can eat nectarines. These fruits have an excellent nutritional profile that benefits your dog’s health. These delicious fruits have to be fed in moderation due to their high fiber content. In addition, nectarine pits are toxic to dogs as they contain cyanide. Therefore, it is safe to discard the pits before feeding any nectarines to your dog. 

 What are Nectarines? 

Nectarines belong to the fruit family, Rosacea, which also contains peaches and plums. Therefore, nectarines are a type of peach with a characteristic smooth skin and firm flesh. Nectarines are known for their dense and delicious flavor despite their low sugar content, making them sweeter than peaches. Additionally, ripe nectarines are more delightful than unripe ones. Nectarines can have freestone, clingstone, or semi-freestone pits enclosed within yellow or white-colored flesh. 

The table below shows the nutrients in one whole nectarine (140 grams)  

Apart from these, this fruit is also a rich source of:

• Potassium
• Niacin
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

Are Nectarines Safe for Dogs? 

Nectarines can be fed to dogs safely. However, there are some precautions to consider before providing these to your canines.  

• Serve in smaller portions. 
• Discard the pit without fail. 
• Refrain from feeding canned or decayed fruits.

Why are Nectarines Good for Dogs? 

From the earlier-mentioned nutritional information, nectarines carry many nutrients. Some of their health benefits to dogs include:

Why is Nectarine Bad for Dogs? 

Although nectarines nutritionally benefit your dogs, they may be posing some health hazards if not fed with care. Some of the risks your canines might face are:

Choking Hazard 

Nectarines are fruits that come with pits in the middle. Before feeding your dogs, you must discard these pits as they may get stuck in your canine’s throat or small intestines. Hence, it is safe to slice the flesh of the fruit into smaller pieces before serving. 

Symptoms of intestinal blockage in dogs: 

• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Straining during bowel movements
• Diarrhea
• Tarry stools
• Inability to defecate
• Lethargy
• Burping
• Excessive drooling
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Remaining still
• Refusing to lie down

If you notice the symptoms mentioned above, reach out to your vet immediately. 

Gastrointestinal Issues

Nectarines are fiber-rich and contain a higher amount of sugar. Therefore, consuming this fruit excessively can lead to an upset stomach. 

Symptoms of gastrointestinal issues in dogs:

• Vomiting and 
• Diarrhea 
• Licking lips or licking the air (a sign of nausea) 
• Gulping (as a way to combat acid reflux), 
• Loss of appetite 
• Lethargy.

Reach your vet in case of severe signs of illness such as 

• Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea
• Bloody Diarrhea
• Fever

Weight Gain and Diabetes 

Despite its low glycemic index, nectarines have a higher amount of sugar. Additionally, canned nectarines contain a highly concentrated sugar syrup. While sugar by itself is not toxic, prolonged over-consumption may cause severe diseases in your canine. The effect of sugar consumption in dogs may have short- or long-term implications; they include:

Short term effects of sugar consumption: 

The immediate aftermath of consuming sugar is that it disrupts a dog’s digestive health, which leads to restlessness, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Long-term effect of sugar consumption:

•  Obesity
• Stressed joints due to weight gain
• Dental problems due to tooth decay
• Arthritis 
• Diabetes.

Cyanide Poisoning 

Cyanide toxicity in dogs depends on the size of your dog. Cyanide is released when your pet chews or swallows the broken pit. The consequences can be fatal to dogs. Some of the symptoms to look for include:

Symptoms of cyanide toxicity in dogs: 

• Salivation
• Convulsions
• Excessive panting
• Vomiting
• Stomach distress
• Unstableness.

Additionally, cyanide toxicity is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical intervention.

Ethanol

Rotten nectarine fruits contain a type of alcohol known as ethanol. Ethanol is toxic to dogs and the symptoms of its toxicity occur within 30 to 60 minutes of ingestion.  

Symptoms of alcohol toxicity in dogs:

• Vomiting
• Excessive drooling
• Diarrhea
• Decreased coordination
• Tremors
• CNS (Central Nervous System) depression
• Decrease in heart rate
• Difficulty breathing
• Acidic blood 
• Seizures
• Coma

Tooth Fracture

The pits of fruits are generally harder than a dog’s teeth. Hence, when your canine tries to bite on a pit with his fullest strength, his tooth may fracture. Fractured teeth are very painful and may lead to tooth loss. 

How Many Nectarines to Feed Your Dog? 

While buying nectarines, choose to go organic to avoid the trace amounts of pesticides from reaching your pet. 

• Ensure to remove the pit from the fruit. 
• Chop the nectarines into tiny pieces and feed only a smaller portion of them. 
• For example, you can provide a couple of slices for your small breed, whereas four to five pieces will suffice for a larger dog.
• Additionally, they can be served as frozen or dried treats in the following ways:

RECIPE 1: FROZEN FRUIT TREAT

INGREDIENTS

•  Plain yogurt
• Any soft fruit (nectarines, kiwi, mango, blueberries, bananas, peaches, etc.)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Blend the yogurt and fruit and make a smoothie.
• Pour the smoothie into ice cube trays or cute molds.
• Refrigerate and serve when frozen.

RECIPE 2: DEHYDRATED FLAXSEED AND FRUIT TREAT

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups frozen nectarines defrosted
• 1 cup frozen blueberries, defrosted 
• 1 tbsp flaxseed ground

INSTRUCTIONS

• Blend the fruit and flaxseed.
• Spread the puree on your trays and dehydrate for 5-7 hours.
• When it is firm and pliable, trim them into bite-sized pieces and serve.

RECIPE 3: FROZEN FRUITS TREAT

INGREDIENTS

•  4 cups Water
• 1 cup fresh fruit, chopped (Nectarines, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, mango, etc.)

INSTRUCTIONS

•  Chop the fruits and add water.
• Freeze the contents in a container and serve frozen

What if my Dog ate Nectarine? 

If your canine accidentally ingested nectarine pits, some of the warning signs to look forward to before contacting your vet includes:

• Stomach ache  
• Excess panting
• Unsteadiness in the feet 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Can dogs eat White Nectarines?

Yes, dogs can safely consume white nectarines in moderation. This is because white nectarines contain less sweet when compared to yellow and orange varieties.

Can dogs eat raw nectarines?

Yes, dogs can eat raw nectarines in moderation as they do not have any added sugar or preservatives like the cooked or dried nectarines. 

Can Dogs Eat Plums?

Yes, dogs can have plums in moderation. However, they are high in sugar and contain sharper pits. Therefore, they have to be served with caution. 

Can Dogs Eat Peaches?

Yes, dogs can have peaches as they are packed with nutrients. However, their serving must be limited as they have a high fiber and sugar content. 

Final Thoughts: 

Nectarines are enticing healthy treats to dogs. However, they should be cautiously served, considering their high fiber and sugar contents.