Fresh fruit is rich in vitamins, tasty, and versatile. But are dogs allowed to eat nectarines, or do the sweet fruits pose a health risk to them?

Are sweet, crunchy nectarines a perfect snack for warm days? They are for humans, but are dogs allowed to eat nectarines?

Yes – in moderation, you can give your furry friend a piece of nectarine because they are considered an ideal source of vitamin A and valuable minerals.

Vitamin A strengthens and improves dogs' eyesight and makes their coats shine beautifully.

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Minerals such as calcium and iron also strengthen the immune system.

However, only the flesh of the fruit is healthy for dogs – the seed is pure poison.

The amygdalin contained in the nectarine seed is broken down into highly toxic hydrocyanic acid (cyanide) when eaten, which can lead to symptoms of poisoning. In addition, a dog could swallow an entire seed, which could lead to intestinal obstruction and choking.

So if you want to share nectarines with your beloved four-legged friend, you should know exactly what to look out for and what to do.

If you want to feed nectarines to a dog, the fruit should have the following characteristics:

• pre-pitted
• fresh
• ripe

Unripe fruit often leads to digestive problems in dogs.

Tip: The nectarine season starts in April. To get ripe and aromatic fruit, you should wait until July. You can then enjoy the most delicious nectarines until September.

The ideal amount of nectarine (with the pit removed!) for dogs is difficult to determine because it depends on the size and individual tolerance of the animal. If dogs are given a nectarine for the first time, it should only be a small piece.

If dogs show symptoms of intolerance/allergy after eating them, nectarines should be completely removed from the dog snack menu.

Possible reactions to a food allergy:

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• itching
• skin rash

If the dog continues to feel well, the ration can be increased to several small pieces. However, nectarines are not suitable for frequent snacking because of the fructose they contain. If dogs eat fruit every day, there is a risk of obesity and tooth decay.

Therefore, nectarines should only be a healthy addition to their normal pet food and should never be the main component of the daily diet.

If a dog swallows a whole nectarine pit or parts of it, the hydrocyanic acid released can lead to poisoning and death. An impending intestinal blockage can also mean the end of a dog's life.

You should therefore consult a vet immediately to have your furry friend examined and treated as quickly as possible!

If a cheeky furry friend eats a large piece of nectarine without a pit, you can stay a little more relaxed. If your dog is suffering from gastrointestinal problems, you should allow them to rest and observe their continued symptoms. If the symptoms do not improve, a visit to the vet is still advisable to make super sure that all is well.

If nectarines have their pits removed and are ripe and fresh, then they can be considered an ideal dog snack, as the flesh is rich in vitamins and minerals. Plus, the taste offers dogs a fresh change of pace!

If nectarines don't make them sick (remember, test a little bit first) and they seem to like the taste, you can feed it to them in moderation so as to avoid obesity and tooth decay caused by fructose.

In other words, if you're careful and feed the fruit as a snack in moderation, then nectarines can be a special "sometimes treat" for your pup!