Can Dogs Eat Plums? Only the Flesh — the Pit Is Toxic

Why plums are risky for dogs

The ASPCA lists the plum as toxic to dogs and cats because its stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that release cyanide, and notes toxicity is especially high as the plant wilts. The seed sits inside the hard pit, which is the part dogs are most likely to swallow.

The ripe flesh is a different matter: it is mostly water and natural sugar and is not toxic. That is why plums sit in an awkward middle ground. A few pitted pieces will not hurt a healthy dog, but a whole plum, eaten pit and all, is a real problem.

Pits, fallen fruit and prunes

A plum pit is a double hazard. Chewing it can release cyanide-forming compounds, and swallowing it whole can block the throat or intestines, especially in dogs under 20 lb. The pointed ends and rough surface can also scrape the gut. The AKC applies the same warning to cherry and peach pits.

Backyard plum trees are the common source, because fallen, wilting fruit and leaves are within easy reach. Prunes are dried plums and are high in sugar and fiber, so they can cause diarrhea. Plum jam, plum sauce and plum cake add sugar, and some sugar-free products use xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs.

What to do if your dog ate a plum or a pit

If your dog ate pitted flesh only, watch for loose stools over the next day. If a pit was swallowed whole or chewed, call your vet or a poison line the same day with your dog's weight, roughly how many pits, and when. Do not make your dog vomit at home unless told to, because a pit can lodge on the way up.

A dog that has eaten a lot of fallen fruit, leaves and stems needs advice promptly, even if it seems fine. Your vet may recommend an exam or X-rays to check whether a pit is moving through or has stopped.

Signs to watch, and when to see a vet

The ASPCA lists brick-red gums, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting and shock as signs of plum poisoning. These can come on within minutes to hours of chewing pits or eating a lot of wilting leaves, and need an emergency vet immediately.

Blockage signs tend to show over one to three days: repeated vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, lethargy, belly pain and straining without passing stool. Any of those after a swallowed pit means a vet visit that day. A single soft stool after eating flesh is usually just too much fruit.

If you do share plum, how to prepare it

Wash a ripe plum, cut the flesh away from the pit and throw the pit, stem and any leaves into a closed trash can. Cut the flesh into cubes sized for your dog: blueberry-sized for a 10 lb dog and grape-sized for a 40 lb dog. Never hand over a whole plum.

Keep it very small and occasional. For healthy adult dogs: under 20 lb, one or two small cubes; 20–50 lb, two or three cubes; over 50 lb, a few cubes, all within about 10% of daily calories. Dogs with diabetes, weight problems or sensitive stomachs should skip it.

If you like to share small snacks, a lick mat or a treat ball makes a little go further and slows a fast eater down.

Puppies and plums

Puppies are best kept away from plums entirely. They are the most likely to swallow a pit whole, their small intestines block more easily, and a pit is a larger dose for a smaller body. There is no benefit in plum that a complete puppy food does not already give.

If you have a plum tree, pick up fallen fruit, pits and leaves daily while it is fruiting, and supervise a puppy in that part of the yard. Call your vet straight away if you think a puppy has swallowed a pit.

Safer fruit for dogs

Blueberries, seedless watermelon flesh, banana slices and cored apple are all easier and safer to share than plums, because there is no pit to remove. Peaches, nectarines, apricots and cherries carry the same pit, stem and leaf risks as plums and need the same care. Introduce any new fruit one piece at a time so you can tell what caused an upset stomach.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.