from the dog health hub
Can Dogs Eat Plums? The Flesh Is Fine, the Stone Is Not
It depends. A little ripe plum flesh is safe for most dogs as an occasional nibble, and some dogs love it. The stone is the real problem: it is a choking and blockage hazard, and its kernel contains cyanogenic compounds. Skip dried plums (prunes) and anything sugary made with them, and always remove the stone first.
Why the caveats matter
Plum flesh itself is mostly water and sugar with a little fibre and vitamin C. In small amounts it is harmless to the vast majority of dogs, though the sugar means it should stay an occasional treat rather than a habit, especially for overweight or diabetic dogs.
The stone is where plums earn their caution. It is exactly the wrong size and shape for a dog's gut, so it can lodge in the oesophagus or intestine, and the kernel inside contains amygdalin, which releases cyanide when crushed. A single swallowed-whole stone is usually more of a blockage worry than a poisoning one, but chewed stones, or several of them, deserve a vet call. Windfall plums fermenting under a garden tree in late summer are a classic way dogs get into trouble.
What to do if your dog has eaten plums
- If your dog has swallowed a plum stone whole, ring your vet for advice rather than waiting. Small dogs and multiple stones are the higher-risk scenarios.
- If the stone was chewed up, or your dog has eaten several, call your vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 with your dog's weight and a rough count.
- Watch for blockage signs over the next couple of days: repeated vomiting, straining without producing poo, no appetite, or a hunched, uncomfortable posture.
How to serve it safely
- Wash the plum, remove the stone completely, and offer a slice or two of ripe flesh.
- Portion by size: a slice for a small dog, two or three for a medium or large dog, and keep it occasional.
- Skip prunes and plum-based puddings and jams. Dried fruit is concentrated sugar, and Christmas plum pudding usually contains raisins, which are genuinely toxic to dogs.
- If you have a plum tree, pick up windfalls before your dog does. Fermenting fruit adds alcohol to the stone problem.
When to ring the vet
ring your vet if
Repeated vomiting or retching after a stone has gone down · Straining without producing poo, or no poo at all · Loss of appetite or a hunched, tucked-up posture · Loose stools after too much fruit flesh
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog ate a whole plum, stone and all. What do I do?
Ring your vet. One swallowed stone often passes without drama in a medium or large dog, but it can also block the gut, and your vet can tell you what to watch for based on your dog's size. Do not try to make your dog sick at home.
Are prunes safe for dogs?
Best avoided. Prunes are not toxic the way raisins are, but they are concentrated sugar with a strong laxative effect, and stoned varieties still turn up with fragments. There are better treats.
Can dogs eat plum jam or plum crumble?
Skip both. Jam is essentially sugar, crumble adds butter and more sugar, and anything from the Christmas end of the plum repertoire (plum pudding, fruit cake) usually contains raisins, which are a real emergency for dogs.
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See the multipack →This article is for information, not diagnosis. If your dog has eaten something worrying, ring your vet or, out of hours, an emergency vet. Every dog is different, and your vet knows yours.