A prune is a dried plum, most commonly from the European plum. Not all plum species or varieties can be dried into prunes.

More than 1,000 plum cultivars are grown worldwide for drying; an additional 1,000 or so are grown for plum fruit (different cultivars are created to do better in particular environments). 

Plums are members of the rose family (Rosaceae) in the subgenus Prunus. Like their fruit buddies the apricots, cherries, and peaches, plums are known as stone fruit because their single pit is hard, like a stone. Technically, plums are drupes

The Greeks and Romans were very fond of both variations of the fruit. Wild plums originated in China and were cultivated from sour plums into sweet fruit.

Plums came to the Middle East along the Silk Road, and plum trees flourished all over the Mediterranean basin. The plums were dried in the sun or in bakers’ ovens, transforming them into prunes.

Prunes are a powerhouse of nutrients and adding them to your daily diet can provide you with a plethora of health benefits. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a 100-gram serving of prunes contain 240 kcal, 2.18 grams of protein, 7.1 grams of fibre and approximately 63.88 grams of carbohydrates.

Prunes have also been studied for their ability to lower high cholesterol. A 2017 placebo-controlled study out of Taiwan found that consumption of prune juice lowered total and LDL (harmful) cholesterol in people with slightly elevated cholesterol levels.

Can Dogs Eat Prunes?

Prunes are not considered the most toxic fruit for your dog but they have very high sugar and fibre content which makes it difficult for dogs to properly digest, so giving them a very little amount won’t be a bad idea but it is better you avoid it if you can. Feeding a reasonable amount of prune to your dog can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite.

Dogs need sugar, but they don’t need too much of it because too much sugar can cause diarrhoea, cavities, toxicity, metabolic changes, and ultimately lead to diabetes.  Most of their sugar comes from carbs that are broken down into sugar or glucose. It’s best to avoid giving your dog sweet foods.

Another potential problem is the prune’s pit. While most of the dried plums do have the pits removed, there is a possibility that some dried plums or Prunes may still have the pits intact when you buy them. 

Prune pits can cause a number of unpleasant side effects in your dog. The rough texture scratches and damages the lining of their guts, causing diarrhoea, discomfort, bleeding from the mouth or rectum, as well as potentially fatal blockages if left untreated.

Read also: Can Dogs Eat Banana Peppers? Find Out

Health Benefits Of Prunes

Prunes may contain nutrients beneficial to dogs but that doesn’t mean you should give your dogs prunes, they are not toxic to your dogs but the content may be a wrong choice for your dog’s digestive system. Let’s focus on the benefits of individual nutrients found in prunes.

1. Potassium Benefits

Prunes are also rich in potassium, a mineral that helps your muscles, nerves, and heart function properly. Dogs need potassium for numerous functions ranging from controlling nerve impulses and brain function.

The high concentration of potassium and vitamin A, in prunes, stimulates enzymatic processes. These processes melt down faecal wall wastes and dissolve blockages. Potassium also plays a role in improving bone mineralisation and a serving of prunes contains 375mg of potassium.

Dietary potassium deficiency in dogs causes severe weakness and death without causing rhabdomyolysis or abnormal muscle glycogen metabolism. Potassium deficiency can also cause hypokalemia, a condition known to cause kidney disease, vomiting, muscle paralysis, lethargy, weight loss, and many other severe side effects.

2. Digestive System Benefits

Prunes are high in fibre, which helps prevent constipation. Chronic constipation is common among dogs. Fibre can help to keep a dog’s digestive system regular and can also help ease your dog’s constipation. However, too much fibre isn’t good for dogs.

3. Iron Benefits

Iron is a mineral that is required by your dog’s body to perform important functions like carrying oxygen in the haemoglobin of red blood cells throughout the body so her cells can produce energy.

The daily recommended intake of iron for adult dogs is 0.5 milligrams of iron per kilogram of body weight. Prunes also include iron, which helps your dog fight anaemia. It also aids in the development of red blood cells.

4. Vitamin A Benefits

vitamin A is that it strengthens the immune system by fighting off infection and helping to fight viruses and bacteria. Prunes contain vitamin A known to boost muscle health, nerve health, coating, and eye health in dogs

5. Phytochemical Benefits

Prunes are also packed with phytochemicals known to have immune system health benefits. Phytochemicals can keep your dog safe from cancer and many other diseases

Health Risks Posed By Prune To Dogs

1. Fiber Risks

While some fibre is good for your canine friend, too much fibre isn’t good for dogs. Prunes are rich in fibre and It has more quantity than a dog requires. Fibre is present naturally in many vegetables and fruits.

A dog’s digestive system does not handle too much sugar or fibre. Even though one prune might not affect or hurt your dog, eating too much fibre can cause weight loss, flatulence, bloating, diarrhoea, and vomiting. That’s why it’s important to consult a veterinarian when adding more fibre to your dog’s meal and be sure to monitor their reaction to it.

We don’t recommend that you feed prunes to your dog. However, there are fewer health risks for dogs that have eaten a few pieces on their own (one or two). Anything more than that can introduce serious risks associated with too much fibre in dogs.

2. Sugar Risks

Prunes are packed with sugar, which can do more harm than good. Excessive consumption of sugar can shock the digestive system and cause diarrhoea. Excess sugar can make your dog overweight and increase diabetes risk. It can also cause cavities. A 1-cup serving of prune juice has about 176 calories and 41 grams of sugar. 

3. Cyanide Poisoning

The pit, stem, and leaves of plumes contain a natural toxin known as cyanogenic glycoside. Cyanide toxicity can be deadly in only a few minutes. 

If only a small amount is consumed,  If your dog is having severe clinical signs of cyanide poisoning, namely tremors, hyperventilation, convulsions, difficulty breathing, or mucus, we advise you contact the veterinarian immediately.  

You must get rid of the pit, leaves, and stems of prunes to avoid cyanide poisoning just in case your dog feasts on prunes in your absence.

4. Bowel Obstruction

A bowel obstruction also known as intestinal blockage is a complete or partial blockage in the stomach or intestines that prevents solids or liquids from passing through the gastrointestinal tract. Besides introducing cyanide risks, prune pits can cause intestinal blockage in dogs. If your dog swallows prune pits, visit a vet immediately if they don’t vomit or poop the pits.

Alternative Treat For Dogs

1. Sweet Potatoes

According to the American Kennel Club, “Sweet potatoes provide an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps the digestive system function more effectively. In addition, eating fiber regularly lowers the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.” 

Sweet potatoes provide an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps the digestive system function more effectively. They can be baked, boiled, or mashed, and they can be a good source of carbohydrates for dogs that need them.

2. Green Beans

Green beans are vegetables that grow on vines during the summer and fall months. They are also called string beans or snap beans. Green beans, string beans, or snap beans are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K, and of folic acid and fiber. 

They are tender, mildly flavored vegetable. They can vary in shape, size and color. Some green bean pods can be yellow, purple, or speckled with red. They can be cooked or served raw, and they can be a good source of vitamins and minerals for dogs.

3. Pumpkin

A pumpkin is a vernacular term for mature winter squash of species and varieties in the genus Cucurbita that has culinary and cultural significance.  Pumpkins are often yellowish to orange in colour, and they vary from oblate to globular to oblong.

Plain, canned pumpkin is the healthiest choice for your dog. Both fresh and canned pumpkins are good sources of nutrients and fibre. Feeding pumpkin to your dog is a great way to help with both mild constipation and mild diarrhoea because of its high fibre content.

4. Carrots

 Carrots are an excellent low-calorie snack that is high in fibre and beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A. Carrots are both safe and healthy for dogs, and most canines absolutely love them, it is a great alternative for prunes.

It’s important to note that dogs are different, different breeds and species. Some may have allergies to certain food. Before introducing any new foods into your dog’s diet, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet to make sure it’s safe and appropriate for your dog.

Other Healthy Treat Recipe

1. Pumpkin Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 tbsp natural peanut butter avoid any peanut butter that contains  the sweetener Xylitol
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together eggs, cinnamon, pumpkin, flour, salt and peanut butter. This mixture will become stiff, dry and crumbly really quickly when first mixing.
3. Add a little bit of water to help moisten the ingredients, then you will be able to work and knead the dough. Only add a tablespoon or so as you go. You want the dough to end up being a dry and thick consistency.
4. Flour your countertop and roll the dough out to be about a ½ inch thick. Use your cookie cutters to cut out individual treats and place on a greased baking sheet. You don’t need to separate them a ton, they don’t rise much.
5. You will have left over dough after cutting out the first batch of treats. Quickly knead and roll out the dough left over dough to make even more!
6. Bake for about 35 minutes or until hard. Serve to your fur-baby! They will be living their best doggy life!

Nutrition: Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 785IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

2. Pumpkin Puree For Dogs

Ingredients:

• 20 oz pumpkin ripe
• 3 cups water

Instructions:

1. Remove the skin and seeds from the pumpkin.
2. Cut into chunks and place in a medium saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to simmer. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the pumpkin is soft.
3. Drain and set aside to cool.
4. Process the pumpkin in a blender until smooth.
5. Pour into a jar or container and store in the fridge

3. Easy Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe

• Author: Melissa Griffiths – Bless this Mess
•   Total Time: 35 minutes
•   Yield: 4 dozen medium treats 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• 2.5 to 3 cups whole wheat flour

Instruction

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, eggs, and peanut butter, and stir well.
3. Add 2.5 cups of flour, and stir to combine. The dough should be about the consistency of play-dough: soft and easy to roll out, but not wet and sticky. Add more flour as needed to reach this consistency.
4. Divide the dough into 2 pieces. Working with one piece at a time, roll it out on a well-floured surface until it is ½-inch thick.
5. Cut the dog treats out using a cookie cutter, or you can simply cut them into squares using a knife.
6. Place the cut-out cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Repeat with remaining dough, gathering and re-rolling the scrap dough until all the dough is used.
8. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
9. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for 3 months.

Note:

• The homemade dog treats will still be a little soft at the 20 minutes mark. My pup prefers them like this. Their shelf life is shorter like this, though (this is why you keep them in the fridge or freezer).
• Bake for an additional 10 minutes if you’d like a crisp dog treat. They are more shelf stable when they are cooked longer, but the fridge or freezer will still prolong their usability.
• Let treats thaw at room temp for a few minutes before giving to you dog.
• Make sure your peanut butter doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol — it’s toxic for dogs.

4.  Delightful Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

• Two medium-sized potatoes
• A bowl
• Water
• Pan
• Potato masher
• Knife
• Potato peeler
• Strainer

Directions:

I. Wash and peel your sweet potatoes

For optimal results, soak them first in vinegar before washing them thoroughly. This step helps to draw the dirt out more than water alone will do.

Use a potato peeler or a knife to peel the potatoes.

Once peeled, give them one more wash and slice them into cubes.

2. Boil the cubed sweet potatoes

The best way to do this is to bring some water to a boil in a pot. As a rule of thumb, the water should cover the potatoes entirely.Once it boils, throw in the potatoes, reduce the heat to medium and let them simmer away for 30 minutes.

To know if they are ready, pierce into one cube with a fork or knife. If it goes through with ease, the potatoes are done.Else, cover the pot and give it a few minutes for them to be fork-tender.

3. Mash them up

The final step is to mash the sweet potatoes. Before doing this, drain off the water in the pot using a strainer. Then proceed to mash it up using a potato masher. This is the fun part.

Be sure to work the mash until you get a smooth consistency.

Let the potatoes cool before serving it to your pup.

4. Serve

That’s it! The mashed potatoes are ready to be served.

You can offer it to your dog as is or mix it in his food

.

Ideally, the amount to give depends on the size of your dog. If you have a toy breed, you might want to serve only a tablespoon of the mash.

Otherwise, you can serve as much as 1/4th a cup for giant breeds.

5. Homemade Chicken & Sweet Potato Dog Food

PREP TIME: 10 minutes

COOK TIME: 30 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes

COURSE: Dog Meals

SERVINGS: 4 servings

CALORIES: 248 kcal

Instruction:

• 2 chicken breasts skinless and boneless
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ cup brown rice
• 1 medium sweet potato
• ½ cup sliced apple peeled, pips and core removed

Instruction:  

1. We cook the chicken, rice and sweet potato all at the same time.
2. Add the rice and turmeric to a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil, place the lid on the pan and simmer for 20 minutes until cooked.
3. Drain and set aside.
4. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the chicken breasts and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium. Let simmer until chicken is cooked through, 10 minutes. 
5. Drain and let sit for 10 minutes. Using a fork, shred the c
6. cooked chicken.
7. Peel and chop the sweet potato. Place in a medium saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes until cooked through.
8. Drain and with a fork or potato masher, mash the sweet potatoes.
9. Serve all the cooked ingredients together and top with the apple slices. Add a sprig of parsley if you have it to

6. Cheese And Green Bean Dog Treats

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Gently toss the cheddar cheese and the flour in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, mash the green beans.
4. Stir in the broth, milk, and olive oil to the green bean mixture.
5. Make a well in the centre of the cheese flour.
6. Pour in the green bean mixture and mix thoroughly.
7. Knead the dough in the bowl until combined.
8. Fold out onto a floured surface and continue to knead using extra flour.
9. Knead until you have a firm dough.
10. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out preferred shapes.
11. Place the cut outs on a baking sheet that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
12. Pour 1/4 cup of beef broth into a small bowl.
13. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the broth onto the cut out cookies.
14. Bake for 30 minutes.
15. Storing – These homemade dog treats will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3 weeks. They will be good in the freezer for 6 months.

7. Liver And Green Bean Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 5 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups brown rice flour
• 1 pound chicken livers
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) green beans, no salt added, drained
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and either grease cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor or blender, puree chicken livers then add green beans. Pulse until pureed with only small chunks remaining.
3. In a large bowl, mix flour and egg then pour in chicken liver and green bean mixture.
4. Mix dough (by hand or with a dough hook). The dough will be heavy.
   Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness then cut with your favorite cookie cutters. (Alternatively, pinch off a small piece of dough, roll it into a ball, place it on the cookie sheet, and slightly flatten it with a fork.)
5. Bake treats for about 30 minutes; watch for treats to brown on the bottom.
6. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack before refrigerating or serving

8. Green Beans With Hotdogs

Ingredients

• 28 green beans
• 1 lb hotdogs
• 1 medium red onion
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 medium bell pepper
• 1/2 cup Monterey Jack Colby cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese,
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 clove garlic cloves

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit
2. Slice the hotdogs lengthwise but not all the way through
3. Chop the onions and peppers. Slice the garlic melt the butter add the peppers, garlic, and onions to the butter and sauté.
4. After the onions are softened a bit remove and set aside. Then add hotdogs to the pan browning them.
5. Add the green beans, mixed with peppers and onions to an oven-safe dish. Then layer the hot dogs and mozzarella cheese, the mozzarella cheese goes on before the hotdogs. Then layer cheddar cheese with the rest of the mozzarella cheese
6. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes. Serve hope you enjoy it!

9. Homemade Carrot Cake Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 1 cup applesauce (plain, unsweetened, without any additives)
• 1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter (raw and natural, unsalted and unsweetened, and free of any flavours and xylitol)
• 2 large eggs
• 4 cups oat flour (plus 1/2 cup more if necessary and for dusting)
• 1 cup grated carrots (peeled first)
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes (unsweetened natural)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the applesauce, almond butter, and eggs together until blended.
3. Add in the oat flour, carrots, and coconut flakes until just incorporated. (If you pinch a piece and it crumbles, add a little water. If it’s really sticky, you’ll need to add a little more oat flour, 1/4 cup at a time and not exceeding 1/2 cup. You want the dough slightly tacky, but not overly.) 
4. Transfer the dough to a surface lightly sprinkled with oat flour and knead 3-4 times until it comes together.
5. Using a rolling pin sprinkled with oat flour, roll out the dough to a 1/2-inch thickness.
6. Using cookie cutters, cut out the desired shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
7. Place in the oven and bake until the treats are dry and the edges are golden about 18-20 minutes.
8. Let cool completely.

Notes

1. If you don’t want to buy oat flour, you can easily make it! Using a food processor, grind up 5 cups of old-fashioned oats until your reach a powder-like consistency, much like regular flour.
2. These particular treats were formed at 1/2-inch thickness using a 2-inch cookie cutter. They are fully baked at 18 minutes, but I baked them for 20 minutes to get them a little crunchier. You can increase the crunch factor even further after the 18 minute mark by turning off the oven, opening the door a crack, and leaving the treats inside while the oven cools down for about 30 minutes. Allowing them to cool on a wire rack makes them crispier, too. Also, keep in mind that these treats will get crunchier after they’ve cooled completely.
3. Baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the treats. Serving size will also vary depending on the desired shapes and cookie cutters used.
4. For storage: After baking, make sure they have completely cooled – I mean COMPLETELY. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, the refrigerator for 4 weeks, and in the freezer for up to 4 months. (Always look at the treat before giving it to your dog; if it looks at all soggy, discoloured, or moldy, don’t feed it to him and throw the remainder out.)
5. Nobody knows your dog like you do, and not all dogs digest human food the same. Use your best judgement and as with any treat, feed in moderation

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if my dog just ate prunes?

The short answer is no, dogs can’t eat prunes safely. While prunes are not technically classified as being toxic for dogs, they are too high in sugar for dogs to eat on a regular basis and often result in a number of digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain.

2. Can a dog have prunes for constipation?

Nevertheless, it’s safer to avoid prunes altogether. If you’re considering prunes to treat your dog’s constipation, consider cooked, mashed pumpkin instead. It’s much safer, more nutritious, and more effective.

3. Do prunes soften stool?

The researchers also note that the prune therapy resulted in softer stools, although straining scores were about the same with both treatments. The study participants found the remedies equally palatable and experienced no symptoms such as postprandial fullness or bloating with either treatment.

4. How quickly do prunes relieve constipation?

In a 2022 study, 84 people with chronic constipation took 54 grams (g) of either prune juice or a placebo each day. After 8 weeks, those who took the prune juice had softer stools and more frequent bowel movements than the other group.2 Fe

5. How many prunes a day to soften stools?

It’s important to only stick with one serving, or six dried plums, per day. If you experience chronic constipation, or if eating prunes and drinking prune juice doesn’t solve your problems, contact your doctor for professional advice.

Summary

In conclusion, prunes may not be considered a toxic food for your dog but it’s definitely not a good choice for them. We hope we have been able to answer your question: can dogs eat prunes?

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, dogs can reach things they shouldn’t, which means they can get their paws on a package of prunes while you aren’t looking. This is a call to be very careful of where and how you keep your prunes in your home.

It is also advisable to educate your children about prunes so that they dont feed them in your absence.

If at any point your dog eats a big portion of prunes, please do well to consult a veterinarian as fast as possible.

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