Safety guide
Is Plums safe for dogs?
Use with caution
A little plum flesh is low-risk, but the stone is dangerous, so plums are best avoided.
The flesh of a ripe plum is not toxic and a small amount is unlikely to harm a dog. The real danger is the pit: it contains cyanide, is a choking hazard, and can lodge in and obstruct the gut. Because separating the flesh from the stone is fiddly and the benefit is minimal, it is safest to avoid plums altogether — and never let a dog chew the pit, stem or leaves.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Choking or gagging
- Abdominal pain
- Bright red gums or difficulty breathing (cyanide)
- Straining or no bowel movements (possible blockage)
What to do immediately
- 1Remove any remaining plums and stones
- 2Note whether the pit was swallowed or chewed
- 3Watch for choking, vomiting or breathing changes
- 4Contact your vet promptly if the stone was eaten
When to call your vet
Your dog swallows or chews a plum stone, or shows breathing difficulty, red gums, persistent vomiting or signs of a blockage.
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