Can Dogs Eat Plums?

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

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.