One of the great joys of summer is consuming fresh and juicy peaches. Is your pet pal drooling while you enjoy this fruit, and this has left you wondering whether you can share this delicious treat with your dog? This article will answer all your queries.
What happens if a dog eats a peach? Are these being safe for dogs?
Yes, peaches are indeed safe for dogs but with certain precautions as pooches, are carnivores and their digestion work differently than human digestion hence some foods that are fine for us are not fine for dogs.
How do peaches benefit dogs?
Peach is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals that are good for the dog’s health. They contain vitamins A and C and are not only low in calories but are high in fiber. As a source of antioxidants, this fruit is seen to ward off cancer and boost the immune system. Peaches also help to improve the functions of the liver and kidneys. If the peaches are served properly and in moderation, they can be used as a healthy snack that can even be used as a refreshing treat during training sessions.
What are the demerits of feeding peaches to the four-legged pets?
The most dangerous part of the peach for dogs is the ” pit”. The pits of peaches are very hard, are likely to damage the dog’s teeth or jaws. A swallowed peach pit is seen to cause a choking hazard or dangerous gastrointestinal obstruction. The serrated edges of the peach pits tend to damage the mouth or internal organs. Precisely one should not expose the dog to peach pits. If your dog manages to swallow one accidentally, watch for signs of gastrointestinal distress and contact the veterinarian at the earliest.
Another less known side effect of peach pits is the presence of trace amounts of the compound “cyanide”. A dog would have to consume a lot of peach pits before getting sick from cyanide poisoning, but one needs to know this before they expose their pooches to peach pits.
Do not forget to wash the peaches thoroughly to wade off the harmful pesticides or herbicides on it which could make the dog sick. Refrain from feeding the fidos canned peaches and peach flavored foods, as these are filled with excessive sugar and other chemicals that ruin the health of dogs.
Excessive eating of peaches is seen to cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs, and the fruit is not suitable for diabetic paws as they contain more sugar.
There is always a small chance of allergy to peaches in some dogs, which are rarely seen to cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition. If the dog shows signs of an allergic reaction, including coughing, sneezing, swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms, consult the veterinarian right away and add this fruit to the list of non-consumable foods for your dog.
How can be peaches served to the dogs?
The fruit needs to be washed and cleaned well and fed as such to the canines. Three-ingredient home-cooked dog peach treat and peachy keen chewy oatmeal pet cookie recipes are great choices.
Three-ingredient dog peach recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cups of diced peaches
- Tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
How to make:
- Preheat the oven, to 350 F degrees.
- Puree the diced peaches and mix the pureed peaches, honey, and flour together into a dough.
- Roll out the prepared dough to a 1/4-inch thickness pizza base and cut out into desired shapes.
- Place the shaped dough directly onto the baking sheet and remember to poke the treats with a fork, before baking.
- Bake the treats in the preheated oven, for 40 minutes.
- Allow to fully cool and store in an airtight container and treat the pet pals.
Peachy keen chewy oatmeal pet cookie recipe
One of the best cookies treats for us as well as the four-legged pets to beat the soring temperatures in summer.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 3/4 cup water, divided
- 1/4 cup diced peaches, see note
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 1 tbsp molasses, blackstrap
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
How to make:
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Stir together the rolled oats and 1/2 cup of the water in a bowl.
- Puree the peaches, canola oil, molasses, vanilla and 1/8 cup of water in a food processor.
- Stir the peach mixture into the oats. and add the flour, cinnamon and 1/8 cup of water.
- A large fork needs to be used to combine all ingredients. The oats tend to stick together hence one needs to break apart the oats until all the flour is incorporated.
- Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or butter. Scoop the cookies of the required size onto the prepared baking sheet. Prepare a flat round cookie shape by flattening the scooped cookie.
- Bake for 15 minutes and let the cookies cool down completely before serving.
Final thoughts
Peaches aren’t an appropriate substitute for a dog’s normal diet as they neither provide all the nutrients a dog needs nor do they contain the correct balance of all the nutrients.
However, peaches do make for an affordable, healthy alternative to commercial dog treats and are completely okay to occasionally feed the furry friend as a treat.
A pivotal point a pet parent needs to bear in mind is that the pit of a peach should always be removed before offering the peach to the pet as they are proved to be mildly toxic. If the pooch accidentally consumes the pit, it is important to consult the vet as soon as possible.
Sources
- https://www.thelabradorsite.com/can-dogs-eat-peaches/
- https://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/blog/2018/08/21/can-dogs-eat-peaches
- https://dogtime.com/dog-health/dog-food-dog-nutrition/59103-can-dogs-eat-peaches
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-peaches/
