Can my dog eat nectarines?
Can dogs eat nectarines?In moderation
Only the flesh in small pieces; the stone must always come out.
Yes, dogs can eat nectarines – but only the flesh in small pieces, without the stone, stalk and leaves. The stone can get stuck in the throat or intestine, and the seed inside it contains amygdalin, from which hydrogen cyanide can form. Because of the sugar and fibre, one to six teaspoons of flesh a day is enough, depending on your dog's size.
How much nectarine can your dog eat?
Enter the weight – the amount updates straight away. You can adjust age, activity and neutering below.
How the calculator works
- Daily requirement: Resting energy requirement 70 × 15 kg^0.75 ≈ 534 kcal × factor 1.6 ≈ 855 kcal.
- Treat allowance: at most 10% of that = 86 kcal for all treats combined.
- Calorie limit: 86 kcal ÷ 44 kcal/100 g = 195 g of nectarines.
- Guide value for dogs 10–25 kg: 3 × teaspoon of nectarine (finely diced) at 5 g each = 15 g (guide value from the source).
- Recommendation: the smaller of the two, rounded down to half portions → 3 × 5 g = 15 g ≈ 7 kcal.
Sources: 10% rule from the WSAVA guide to treats · kcal value: USDA FoodData Central. Daily requirement as in the dog calorie calculator.
Result · 15 kg · Adult
Up to 3
× teaspoon of nectarine (finely diced) on a snack day
(≈ 15 g, 7 kcal)
How often: Only occasionally as a small snack, not every day. All treats together should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
Treat allowance 86 kcal (10% of 855 kcal) · 1 teaspoon of nectarine (finely diced) ≈ 5 g
Limited by: guide value
Here the guide value for dogs 10–25 kg sets the limit (guide value from the source): at most 3 × teaspoon of nectarine (finely diced). In terms of calories, up to 195 g would be possible.
According to PetMD: up to 1 teaspoon (dogs up to approx. 9 kg), 1 tablespoon (approx. 14–23 kg), up to 2 tablespoons (approx. 23–41 kg).
This applies if it's the only snack that day – if your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
The app calculates recipes in grams, kcal and portions to suit your dog's weight, age, activity and allergies.Nectarines for dogs: amount by weight
| Weight | Maximum per snack day | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 1 teaspoon of nectarine (finely diced)≈ 5 g | ≈ 2 |
| 10 kg | 1 teaspoon of nectarine (finely diced)≈ 5 g | ≈ 2 |
| 20 kg | 3 × teaspoon of nectarine (finely diced)≈ 15 g | ≈ 7 |
| 30 kg | 6 × teaspoon of nectarine (finely diced)≈ 30 g | ≈ 13 |
| 40 kg | 6 × teaspoon of nectarine (finely diced)≈ 30 g | ≈ 13 |
- All snacks together no more than 10% of daily calories (WSAVA recommendation). If your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
- Guide value per weight class – small up to 10 kg, medium 10–25 kg, large over 25 kg: According to PetMD: up to 1 teaspoon (dogs up to approx. 9 kg), 1 tablespoon (approx. 14–23 kg), up to 2 tablespoons (approx. 23–41 kg).
What's in it
- Juicy and high in water (around 88% water), with about 44 kcal per 100 g.
- Contains fibre, potassium and vitamins A and C – in the small amounts suitable for dogs, though, it's just an extra, not a source of nutrients.
What to watch out for
- The stone can cause choking or an intestinal blockage.
- The stone, stalk and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides, from which hydrogen cyanide can form. For poisoning to occur, a dog would have to chew and swallow several stones – but a swallowed stone is still a reason to call your vet.
- Lots of sugar and fibre: too much nectarine can cause diarrhoea or tummy ache.
- If your dog has diabetes or is overweight, it's better to leave nectarines out or to talk to your vet first.
- Tinned fruit in syrup and shop-bought dried fruit contain a lot of added sugar.
- Stones thrown away in the bin or on the compost heap are a typical hazard – dispose of them out of your dog's reach.
How to prepare nectarines
How to do it
- Wash the nectarine
- Halve it and remove the stone completely
- Remove the stalk and leaves
- Cut the flesh into small cubes
- Peel it if your dog has a sensitive stomach
- Dispose of stones straight away, out of your dog's reach
Better not
- Whole nectarines or halves with the stone in
- Stones to chew on or play with
- Tinned nectarines or peaches in syrup
- Shop-bought dried fruit with added sugar
How often?
Only occasionally as a small snack, not every day. All treats together should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
Frequently asked questions about nectarines
My dog has swallowed a nectarine stone – what should I do?
Call your vet, even if your dog still seems fine, and don't try to make it vomit yourself. A stone can get stuck in the intestine. Until your dog has been checked, watch for vomiting, gagging, loss of appetite, lethargy, strikingly red mucous membranes or heavy panting.
Is the kernel inside a nectarine stone toxic?
Yes, the seed inside the stone contains amygdalin. During digestion, this releases hydrogen cyanide, which can cause severe poisoning in larger amounts. That's why stones never belong in the bowl – neither whole nor cracked open.
Can my dog eat nectarines with the skin on?
Yes, the skin isn't toxic, but it is a little harder to digest. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, peel the fruit.
Can puppies eat nectarines?
A small piece of flesh without the stone is fine for puppies too. But stone-fruit stones are a hazard, especially for young, curious dogs – never leave them lying around.
Can my dog have nectarine every day?
No, nectarine is an occasional snack. Fed daily, its sugar and fibre content can encourage diarrhoea, and it adds unnecessary calories.
Can dogs eat frozen nectarines?
Yes, in thin slices or small cubes that you let thaw briefly. Large, rock-hard pieces can injure teeth and gums or get stuck in the throat.
What's the difference between nectarines and peaches for dogs?
The nectarine is a smooth-skinned variety of peach. The same rules apply for dogs: flesh in small amounts, yes; the stone, never.
How much sugar is in a nectarine?
Around 8 g per 100 g of flesh. A medium-sized nectarine (about 140 g) contains just over 11 g of sugar and about 62 kcal – far more than a dog needs as a snack.
My dog has eaten too much nectarine without the stone – what now?
The flesh isn't toxic. Diarrhoea or tummy ache are possible. Keep an eye on your dog and call your vet if it vomits, the symptoms persist or it seems lethargic.
Similar foods
- In moderationFruitPeachFresh flesh without the stone, stalk and leaves, in small pieces.See the answer
- In moderationFruitPlumOnly the flesh, stone removed, in small pieces; the stone is dangerous.See the answer
- In moderationFruitCherryOnly a few, without stones or stalks; stones, stalks and leaves are toxic.See the answer
- YesFruitAppleWithout the core, seeds and stalk, cut into slices or small pieces.See the answer
- YesFruitPearRipe flesh without the core, seeds and stalk, cut into small pieces.See the answer
Sources
- Can Dogs Eat Nectarines? – PetMD (vet-reviewed)
- Can Dogs Eat Peaches? Benefits, Risks, and Feeding Tips – PetMD (vet-reviewed)
- Can Dogs Eat Peaches? – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Peach – ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Cyanide Poisoning in Animals – Merck Veterinary Manual
- Bittere Aprikosenkerne können zu Vergiftungen führen – Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR)
- Vergiftung beim Hund: Richtig helfen – aber wie? (Presseinformation 30/2012) – Bundestierärztekammer
- Nectarines, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 169914) – USDA FoodData Central
- Feeding treats to your dog – WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee (10% rule in the calculator)
Reviewed on · DoggoMeal editorial team
This page is no substitute for veterinary advice. Dogs with pre-existing conditions – for example of the kidneys, liver or pancreas, or with diabetes – and dogs with allergies often need their own rules. If your dog has symptoms or you're unsure, ask your vet.
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