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Can Dogs Eat Plums?
Written By Alex Olsson
Published: 11/18/2016Updated: 08/15/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Can dogs have plums to eat?
Plums, with their vibrant colors and sweet flavors, are a popular favorite among many fruit-loving humans. However, when it comes to our furry friends, the question arises: can dogs have plums? The answer isn’t technically an outright ‘no’, but it’s not a straight ‘yes’ either. While the flesh of the plum might be harmless in small quantities, the pit and other parts of the plant are very dangerous — meaning that avoiding the fruit altogether might be your best bet.
Let's delve deeper into the risks and symptoms of plum poisoning in dogs, so you can keep your pet safe.
Plum poisoning: why your pup should skip this snack
In short, plum poisoning happens when a dog ingests the toxins hidden inside the plum’s pit.
The long version? Plums grow on large shrubs or small trees adorned with beautiful white flowers similar to apple blossoms. The fruits can range from yellow to black, depending on the species, and can grow up to six inches in diameter.
Each fruit contains a single large seed, known as a pit or stone, which harbors several toxic compounds: hydrogen cyanide, amygdalin, prunasin, and cyanogen. When a dog chews on the pit, these toxins are released, posing a serious health risk to your furry friend.
But will one plum pit kill a dog? Technically, even a single pit can release enough cyanide to cause severe poisoning.
Hydrogen cyanide, in particular, is extremely toxic to dogs. This compound, along with the other toxins present in the plum, can cause severe health issues. Even the foliage and roots of the plum plant contain enough hydrogen cyanide to cause digestive problems and potential breathing difficulties if ingested by your dog.
So are plums safe for dogs?
While the flesh and skin of a plum may not be inherently toxic, it's best to avoid giving your dog plums altogether. Some pet parents consider the risk of them ingesting the pit, or even small parts of the foliage, too high. If you’re wondering ‘can dogs eat plums without the pit’, the official answer is: yes, but it might not be worth the risk.
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Symptoms of plum poisoning
If your dog has ingested any part of a plum plant, especially the pit, you need to be on high alert for symptoms of poisoning. The toxins in plums disrupt cellular respiration, leading to asphyxiation (suffocation) at the cellular level. Here are some common symptoms of plum poisoning in dogs:
- Reddened gums, tongue, and mouth
- Difficulty breathing
- Dilated pupils
- Heavy panting
- Tremors and seizures
- Rapid breathing
- Agitation and foaming at the mouth
- Collapse and shock (confusion, dizziness, fainting)
- Respiratory collapse
These symptoms can escalate quickly, often within an hour of ingestion - immediate veterinary intervention is very important to make sure your pup is okay.
Types of plums
The plum genus, scientifically known as Prunus, belongs to the Rosaceae family. The most common species are Prunus domestica and Prunus americana, with numerous cultivars under each species. Some popular subspecies include:
- Imperial Gage
- Damson
- Yellow Egg
- Blue Rock
- Maynard
- Jefferson
- Lombard
- Czar
Despite there being so many different types of plums, they all share the same risk: their pits and other parts contain harmful toxins for dogs.
Avoid the poisonous human food and opt for some new favorites — discover some of the best budget-friendly dog food options and bring home a new, safe meal your pup will love.
Causes of plum poisoning
Understanding the specific toxins causing plum poisoning can help illustrate why this fruit is hazardous to dogs:
- Amygdalin: A cyanohydrin that releases cyanide slowly into the bloodstream.
- Cyanogen: One of the fastest and most potent natural toxins.
- Hydrogen Cyanide: Released from cyanogenic glycosides when chewed.
- Prunasin: A precursor to cyanide, though not well understood.
Diagnosis of plum poisoning
If you suspect your dog has ingested a plum pit or any other part of the plant, seek vet assistance immediately. Time is of the essence in these cases. The vet will likely confirm plum poisoning by examining your dog's gums, which may appear bright red or pink due to the high oxygen content in the blood.
During treatment, your vet will likely conduct a thorough physical examination, including checking vital signs, weight, reflexes, breath sounds, abdominal palpation, and oxygen levels. Laboratory tests such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), complete blood count (CBC), packed cell volume (PCV), urinalysis, and serum biochemical profile will help confirm cyanide poisoning.
Treatment of plum poisoning
Veterinary treatment for plum poisoning is aggressive and immediate. The primary goal is to remove the cyanide from the dog's system before it has time to cause irreversible damage.
- Detoxification: First, intravenous (IV) administration of sodium nitrite or methylene blue promotes the formation of methemoglobin in the blood, which binds with cyanide to form cyanmethemoglobin, effectively removing the cyanide. If necessary, thiosulfate may be used to promote the formation of rhodanese-catalyzed thiocyanide, further aiding detoxification.
- Observation: Afterwards, hospitalization for at least 24 hours is essential to monitor your dog's condition and manage any complications. Continuous observation, along with the provision of oxygen, fluids, and other necessary care, will be critical during recovery.
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Recovery from plum poisoning
The prognosis for a dog with plum poisoning depends on several factors, including:
- Number of pits consumed
- Timeliness of the treatment
- Effectiveness of the therapy
If treated promptly, many dogs recover well — great news! However, your dog may require several days in the hospital and careful monitoring at home afterward.
It's also important to note that plum pits are not digestible and can cause gastrointestinal obstructions, which may require surgery to remove any lodged pits.
Can Dogs Eat Plums? Average Cost
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Can Dogs Eat Plums? Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
German Shepherd
Seven Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My dog ate a plugot which is a plum and apricot crossed together Im scared because she ate the whole seed
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this platform isn't set up for urgent emails
The concern with peach or apricot pits is that they may cause an intestinal blockage. If your dog is vomiting, having diarrhea, is lethargic or not eating, then it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Oct. 10, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Jack Russell Terrier
Approx 10 yrs
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Balance, Various Stroke Type Symptoms, Has Had Seizures
He ate a plum seed on Thurs noon time and was eating and drinking yesterday and then he stopped late last night and started symptoms around 4 am with possible stroke or seizures not sure which
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
I hope that he is feeling better. If he is still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pet, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them if needed.
Oct. 17, 2020
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Chihuahua mix
Four Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Nothing
My dog ate 1 plum seed at 10:20 am but he is act normal until now almost4 pm
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I would be concerned in a small dog about a blockage, and if your dog is having any signs of vomiting or diarrhea, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 20, 2020
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Westie
Six Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
No Symptoms
my dog just swallowed one very small plum pit, smaller then my finger nail without the whit portion...he is 20 lbs
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I hope that your pet is okay. There is a concern for GI upset or an obstruction with that pit. If they are having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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English lab
Two Years
13 found this helpful
13 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Clingy And Sleepy
My dog had a plum seed and a little plum will she be ok
Aug. 7, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
13 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Your dad is a fairly good-sized dog, so that plum seed may pass uneventfully. The risk is that it will form a foreign body and it will not pass through intestines. It would be best to watch her for the next day or two for any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite. If she shows any of those signs, she needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. I hope that all goes well for her.
Aug. 7, 2020
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Pug
Freddie
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My parents were over and made themselves a fruit salad, a plum being included in this fruit salad. While my dad was making it the plum stone fell on the floor and my pug instantly ran over and gobbled it whole. I googled it to see what I needed to do and came across this article. Which has contributed to saving his life. We live very close to our vets and so took him within 15 minutes and they administered a drug to make him sick, and he brought it up. The vet had advised it was likely it would come up if was dealt with within 3 hours and it was lucky he hadn't chewed the stone and that we hadn't left it as it would of started to break down releasing the toxins. We are in the UK and the bill was £140 - for the check over, the injection to make him sick, as well as another injection to stop the sickness.
He had no symptons as we had it seen to before any could develop, the vet had told us before the sickness drug was administered that if it didn't work they would have to operate to remove the stone.
Can Dogs Eat Plums? Average Cost
From 200 quotes ranging from $1,200 - $6,000
Average Cost
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