Of course, dog owners want to make sure that every bite of food they’re sharing with their fur babies is safe and beneficial. Prunes are a delicious and healthy human snack, but you may be wondering if dogs can have prunes as a treat. Here is what the article goes on to explore: Is it safe for dogs to eat prunes, the possible consequences, and safer substitutes.
What Are Prunes?
Prunes are nothing but plums that have been dried. Prunes have many benefits for humans: they relieve constipation and provide antioxidants. However, what is good for us is not necessarily good for our pets and prunes might have some disadvantages for dogs.
Are Prunes Safe for Dogs?
The answer in short is: not exactly. Prunes are not safe for your dog—they are not toxic but not recommended as well. The natural sugar and fiber content in prunes are difficult for a dog to digest, typically causing an upset stomach, gas, or diarrhea. Alongside pits that raisins do not have, prunes can also pose a choking hazard and even can cause an internal blockage. In general, the drawbacks of feeding prunes to dogs surpass the advantages.
Prunes and Health Risks for Dogs
So, in case you are wondering about treating your dog with prunes, here are a few dangers to notice:
Digestive Issues
While prunes are famous for their fiber content and aiding in human digestion, dogs have more difficulty digesting food than we do, so prunes can really overstuff a doggy stomach. Dogs have sensitive tummies, so adjusting their diet needs to be done slowly and gradually. Common symptoms associated with eating a high-fiber snack such as prunes include gas, bloating, or diarrhea. As a result, this becomes a painful process for both the dog and the owner.
Choking Hazards and Blockages
The more basic problem is that prunes often have a hard pit inside, which, if ingested by your dog, can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening issues. If eaten whole, these pits can choke a dog or become stuck in a sumo wrestlers rubginbonds — resulting in needing to surgically removed. But even when you take out the pits there is always a possibility that shrapnel may cause problems. Also, the pits can harm the dog’s teeth or gums causing more issues.
Elevated Risk of Becoming Obese and Developing Pancreatitis
Natural sugar: Prunes are high in natural sugar and can lead to weight gain and obesity in dogs. Too many sweets over time can cause pancreatitis, which is a painful, and potentially deadly, inflammation of the pancreas. Low-calorie dog treats and prunes can be eaten by small dogs or dog breeds with a tendency to obesity and should be avoided at all costs – the dogs then are often overweight, which is bad for their general health.
In September 2023, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety put out an announcement on suspected toxicity related to products made with prunes.
Fresh prunes are one of the most challenging foods for dogs, while unlikely products made from prunes (such as prune juice or packaged prunes) are even more horrendous. Such products often have added sugar, artificial flavors, or preservatives which can be harmful to dogs. Specifically, prune juice is devoid of the fiber whole prunes have, and it is chiefly sugar—which dogs also cannot process.
What to Do if Your Dog Ate Prunes
If your canine does manage to munch on a few of these, do not fret; accidents want to happen. These are some of the things you can do:
- Watch for Symptoms: Monitor your dog for possible gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain).
- Inspect for Pits: See if the prunes your pooch helped himself have pits, which elevate the chances of a blockage.
- Electrolytes: Give your dog sufficient water to allow the body to deal with the excess fiber and sugars.
- Call Your Vet: If your dog is showing signs of serious distress, is very dehydrated, or has eaten a fair bit, contact your vet for advice. Sometimes a vet will want to do more testing or treatment.
More Nutritious Foods Than Prunes for Dogs
There are so many safe, delicious and healthy dog-friendly fruits and veggies that I would suggest you offer instead of prunes! Better options that still provide comparable nutritional benefits without the dangers.
Dog-Friendly Fruits
- There are also some fruits that are safe for dogs to consume and are indeed healthy giving your furry friend some of the sweetness he loves but with less risk. Try offering these:
- Apples — Low in calories, apples are filled with fiber and high in vitamins. Just be sure to remove seeds as well as the core, which can be toxic.
- Blueberries — They are full of antioxidants and make a great immune system booster for your dog.
- Bananas – These have potassium and also fiber and a good for aiding digestion in moderation. As bananas are sugar laden → keep them to a minimum.
Pumpkin for Digestive Health
Pumpkin is also a great fiber-rich food to aid in digestion for your pup. As it is a low calorie and high-fiber food, it is gentle on a dog belly and may even offer relief for mild digestive issues. DO NOT use canned pumpkin pie filling; serve pumpkin plain without any added spices or sugars.
Carrots and Green Beans
Offer your pooch carrots or green beans as a crunchy and calorie-light snack. Both have a low sugar content, and can provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals without any danger. These veggies also contribute to your pup’s dental health as chewing on them helps clean your dog’s teeth.
How to Specifically Introduce Novel Foods to Dogs
These tips can help you avoid unintended side effects when adding any new food to your dog’s diet:
So to begin,
- Start small: you can give a small portion for your dog to see how he/she responds to the food. Keep an eye out for any signs of discomfort or allergic reaction it be itching, swelling, or digestive upset.
- Be moderate: Although the fruits and vegetables are friendly, they are not a substitute for your pooch’s primary dog food kibbles, so do not let them over eat. Feeding too much of any food (even those that are sugary or fiber-rich) can wreck a dog’s diet.
- Talk to the vet: If you are not sure about any food item or your dog has some kind of food restriction then always ask your vet.
Conclusion: Are Prunes Safe for Dogs?
So, can dogs eat prunes? Prunes won’t poison your pet, but shouldn’t be an option either. The gastrointestinal consequences are twofold: The fiber and sugar are never great for digesting them, and the pits can lead to choking and blockages. It’s best to keep fruits and vegetables to those that are known to be safe such as apples, blueberries, and carrots as well.
While dogs enjoy treats, there are plenty of healthy, safe options available that can keep their health in check. That way, you will keep your furry companion happy and safe — and he or she is going to love you even more for it!
