Nectarines are the lesser known stone fruit cousin to peaches. A distinguishing difference is the smooth exterior of nectarines as compared to fuzzy peaches. Both fruits are nutritious for humans. They contain a lot of health benefits for us. But could the same be said about dogs?
We know that peaches are safe for our furry pooches. But what about nectarines? I mean just because they are relative fruits does not mean that they are the same.
So the question that remains is can dogs eat nectarines? In this article, we will tell you whether nectarines are safe for dogs. We will tell you if this food has health benefits or if it has harmful effects on our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Nectarines?
The short answer is yes. Dogs can absolutely eat nectarine. Nectarine is a safe food for dogs. With some precautions that you’ll find out about below.
Although there are many types of fruits that are not good for dogs such as grapes, apricots, and avocados, nectarines are not one of them.
Nectarines are good food for our furry pooches. It contains a number of benefits for dogs.
Benefits of Nectarines for Dogs
Nectarines are rich in certain minerals and vitamins. It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fiber, potassium, Niacin, and magnesium.
Nectarines are rich in Vitamin A. Vitamin A can help prevent medical conditions caused by irregular blood sugar levels. Vitamin C is great for strengthening a dog’s immune system as well as its bones.
Nectarines contain high levels of potassium. Potassium can keep your dog’s bones strong and healthy. This makes nectarine a good food for older dogs. Fiber assists in a dog’s digestive problems. Foods rich in fiber such as nectarines can help against bowel movement problems.
Nectarines contain high amounts of magnesium which regulates metabolism. It also helps in a dog’s neurotransmission. Potassium can keep your dog’s bones strong and healthy. This makes nectarines a good food supplement for older dogs.
Nectarines also contain Niacin. Niacin supports the overall health of a dog as well as their gastrointestinal health.
However, not all the time or not all parts of nectarines are healthy and good for dogs.
Precautions When it Comes Nectarines and Dogs
Too much fiber can also cause an upset stomach. So it is best to limit how much nectarine you will feed to your dog.
Also it is best to remove the pits of nectarine before feeding them to dogs. The pits can be a choking hazard for dogs. Nectarine pits can cause an intestinal blockage if they are big enough.
Also the pit of nectarines contain a chemical compound called amygdalin. When it is eaten, it turns to hydrogen cyanide in the stomach. This type of chemical compound can cause toxicity, and even death to smaller dogs.
So be sure to just feed your doggo and the flesh of the fruit and keep the pits away from them! So long as you do that, an occasional nectarine is a healthy snack choice for your dog.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
Find the next food put under the microscope in Can Dogs Eat Zucchini?
