Can Dogs Eat Prunes? How The Cons Overweigh The Pros

Quick Summary

• Although not harmful in small quantities, there are only few health benefits that dogs can get from them.
• When eaten in big amounts prunes can cause a number of health issues to dogs such as diarrhea and weight gain.
• Aside from high sugar levels, prunes also have a hard and rough skin that can cause damage to your dog’s digestive tract.

Prunes are dried plums that have been soaked in water and pitted. They are high in sugar and fiber, which makes them a popular treat for people, but the question is, can dogs eat prunes? It is not safe to purposefully feed prunes to dogs, though they do have a few nutritional benefits. It would be helpful to important to first talk to the vet before giving it to the dog. I personally love prunes, but would I share it to my dogs? Not really read my explanation below.

Health Benefits of Prunes for Dogs

Prunes come with a few health benefits for people, like antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin K. These are not as important to dogs or registered at the same levels, however. A single prune is not likely to cause your dog any harm, but if your pooch eats a lot of them, there will be trouble.

They can develop gastrointestinal issues and excessive weight gain in the process. As always, it is advisable to contact the veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your dog’s diet.

Risks of Dogs Eating Prunes

Are prunes bad for dogs? When you feed your dog prunes for the first time, they develop a sugar rush that spikes the blood sugar levels and affects their overall mood. This is not a good idea, especially since you would not appreciate your pets crashing into everything.

Prunes also pose physiological problems to dogs. They may not be toxic to dogs, but prunes have prussic acid, which acts similarly to cyanide—prune pits especially. This chemical is dangerous, especially if consumed in significant quantities, and it should not be given to the dog as a treat in excess.

Pitted prunes are also gastrointestinal hazards. The skin of the prunes is rough, which can cause damage to the digestive tract, and that could result in bleeding, inflammation, and an upset stomach. Prunes also have high fiber and sugar content levels, which is more than the dog typically needs. One prune has 3.9 grams of sugar, which is past the tolerance level. When a dog eats prunes in high quantities, their blood sugar will rise significantly, leading to hyperglycemia. The insulin resistance will then cause prediabetes and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes in dogs is a serious matter.

Prunes also have insoluble fiber, which may lead to diarrhea in dogs [1]. Prunes are, in fact, seen as natural laxatives as they can loosen your dog’s stool. It may seem like a good thing for constipated dogs, but the converse of the situation is unhealthy bowel movements. You may be surprised then by the messy experience not just for the dog but also for you. It will not be fun to clean up after the dog repeatedly.

Prunes can also end up giving your dog flatulence and lead to bloating. This might not be immediately apparent, but this is a sign if the dog starts passing nastier than usual gas. The other possibility is the dog may become laxative dependent. Laxative dependency means the dog has difficulty with bowel movements unless it takes prunes. It might even be impossible to pass healthy stools unless they have prunes in their system.

Lastly, the high iron levels in the prunes can give your dog dark color or spots in their stool. Though it may not be dangerous or a sign of an ongoing issue, this could prevent you from detecting if there are problems such as blood in the fecal material.

Can Your Dog Drink Prune Juice?

Now, if prunes are to be given sparingly, if at all, the same caution should be considered with prune juice. The problem is that they have high sugar levels, which leads to obesity and diabetes in dogs. Even the diet version of prune juice still has too much sugar for the dog, so I don’t recommend this.

The high fiber levels are not enough of a benefit to overrule the negative effects of prune juice, unfortunately. This comes as a surprise to dog lovers as there is an assumption fruit juices are as good for dogs as they are for human beings. The fact is that people have a higher tolerance for sugar which is easily broken down into glucose. However, it is accumulated in dogs leading to health issues.

FAQs

Can dogs eat dried prunes?

Dog owners should not give dogs prunes because of the high sugar levels. They can take a bite or two, but that should be the limit. High sugar consumption in dogs leads to weight gain, obesity, and diabetes.

Can dogs eat prunes to help with constipation?

Prunes have tough skin that is hard for your dog to digest, leading to more digestive problems. The level of fiber is negligible, so there are other options you can try. Water, for example, is good, and you can add some flavored electrolytes as an incentive to your dog.

Can dogs have prune juice?

It is not recommended for the dog to take prune juice because they have high levels of fructose. Because your dog’s digestive system cannot handle large amounts of fructose, this can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity.

Can dogs eat canned prunes for constipation?

Other alternatives work better compared to prunes for canine constipation. Also, there’s a possibility that they may develop a laxative dependency, which means they need prunes for bowel movement.