FrançaisCan dogs eat apples, cherries, peaches or mango?
The flesh is not the issue: the fleshy parts of fruits generally hold low levels of cyanide-releasing compounds, while seeds and leaves hold more [1]. Pet Poison Helpline considers all parts of the cherry plant toxic except the ripe pulp around the pit [2]. The risks are the pits, seeds and stems, which can release cyanide when crushed, and whole stones, which can block the gut [1, 3].
If your dog has swallowed a pit, chewed fruit kernels, or vomits, drools, breathes with difficulty or seems weak, call your vet or a pet poison line now. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home.
Apples, cherries, peaches, apricots, plums and mango: fruit by fruit
The ASPCA lists apple, cherry, peach, apricot and plum trees as toxic to dogs because their stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides [5, 6]. That warning is about these plant parts, not the ripe flesh [1, 2].
| Fruit | Flesh | Pit, seed or stem risk | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apples | Low in cyanide-releasing compounds, like other fruit flesh [1] | Seeds, stems and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides [5]; seeds of 15 apple varieties held 1 to 4 mg of amygdalin per gram [7] | Rotten, fermented apples: one dog died of alcohol poisoning after eating a large amount [8] |
| Cherries | Ripe pulp is not considered toxic [2] | Cyanide may be released if the pit is chewed and crushed; whole, unchewed pits are not expected to poison [2] | Stomach upset or a blockage, depending on the dog’s size and how many pits it swallowed [2] |
| Peaches and nectarines | Low, like other fruit flesh [1] | The seed inside the stone releases cyanide only if thoroughly chewed, which dogs rarely do [3] | A blockage, especially in small dogs [3]; peach stones are among the objects removed from dogs’ guts [9, 10] |
| Apricots | Low, like other fruit flesh [1] | A whole pit is a low cyanide risk; hulled apricot kernels (bitter apricot seeds) are a high risk [4] | Kernels sold as health foods: call at once [4] |
| Plums | Low, like other fruit flesh [1] | Stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, like other Prunus trees [1, 6] | A plum pit has caused a complete blockage of the small intestine [11] |
| Mango | Mango is not on the Merck list of cyanogenic plants of veterinary importance [1] | The risk is the large, hard stone | A blockage: fruit seeds are among the objects removed from dogs’ stomachs [12] |
Almonds belong to the same Prunus family as cherries and peaches [1]: see nuts and dogs.
Cyanide from pits and seeds: how real is the risk?
The seeds of these fruits contain cyanogenic glycosides such as amygdalin. These stay locked inside plant cells until the seed is crushed or chewed; then plant enzymes break them down and cyanide is released [1]. Cyanide stops cells from using oxygen. The heart and brain suffer first [1].
That is why the way the pit is eaten matters. Pet Poison Helpline states that a cherry pit swallowed whole without being chewed is not expected to cause poisoning, and that cyanide poisoning after a peach pit is unlikely because dogs do not chew their food thoroughly [2, 3]. Cherries sold for people usually hold less cyanide in their pits than wild cherries [2]. Apple seeds contain amygdalin too [7]; a few seeds swallowed whole are covered by the same rule of crushing, but a dog that crunched a whole core or many seeds should be checked.
Some exposures are more serious. Hulled apricot kernels, sold as bitter apricot seeds, carry a high risk of cyanide poisoning [4]. Dogs also have less of rhodanese, the main enzyme that detoxifies cyanide, than other species [1]. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives an acute lethal oral dose of hydrogen cyanide of about 2 mg/kg in most species [1]. Call your vet or a pet poison line whatever the amount.
- When signs start: usually within 15 to 20 minutes to a few hours [1].
- Signs: excitement and fast breathing, then difficulty breathing and a fast heart rate, drooling, vomiting, muscle tremors, collapse and seizures [1, 3].
- Gums: bright or brick red at first, rather than blue [1, 5].
- Pupils: dilated [2, 5].
Cyanide poisoning is an emergency that needs hospital care with oxygen and an antidote given by the vet, without waiting for test results [1].
Stones that get stuck: peach pits and other blockages
For most dogs the bigger danger of a stone is mechanical. A peach pit swallowed by a small dog may block the gut [3], and several whole cherry pits can do the same depending on the dog’s size [2].
- Peach stones: in a 20-year series of 110 dogs with a blocked gut at an Italian university hospital, 14 were blocked by peach stones [10]. In another Italian series of 72 dogs, peach stones made up 7% of the objects removed [9].
- Plum and other fruit pits: in a CT study, 4 of 18 distinct foreign objects were fruit pits, and a plum pit caused a complete blockage of the small intestine [11].
- Fruit seeds in the stomach: in 261 dogs in Bangkok, plant material such as fruit seeds and wood made up 12.6% of foreign bodies, mostly found in the stomach [12].
- Signs of a blockage: vomiting and loss of appetite are the most common; diarrhea, weight loss and lethargy are less common [13].
A blocked gut is an emergency [13]. Vomiting for more than 24 hours was linked to death in the 72-dog series, so do not wait to see if it passes [9].
Which fruit is truly toxic? Grapes, avocado and rotten fruit
- Grapes and raisins: this is the fruit that can damage a dog’s kidneys [17]. See grapes and raisins in dogs.
- Avocado: the flesh is not the main worry for dogs, but the seed can cause an intestinal blockage [19]. See avocado and dogs.
- Rotten or fermented fruit: fallen apples can ferment. A dog that ate a large amount of rotten apples vomited, wobbled, trembled and died 48 hours later with a blood alcohol of 300 mg/dL [8].
- Citrus: the ASPCA states that eating the fruit is unlikely to cause more than minor stomach upset [17].
All the foods to keep away from pets, with the tests for each, are listed in toxic foods for dogs and cats.
What the vet checks, and why
The vet starts with the history (which fruit, whole pit or chewed, how many, when) and the signs, and examines the belly for pain [13]. There is no quick clinic test for cyanide; tests look for a blockage and for the effects of vomiting [1, 13].
- Abbreviation Cl or chloride, in the electrolyte block with sodium (Na) and potassium (K).
- Result 102 mmol/L in this illustrative line: below the interval. Low chloride was the most common change in dogs with gut foreign bodies, found in 51.2% [14].
- Unit mmol/L or mEq/L: for chloride the two numbers are the same.
- Laboratory interval The example uses the dog interval of the Merck Veterinary Manual [18]; each laboratory sets its own.
- Flag L: below the interval. Vomiting stomach acid loses chloride; with a blockage this often goes with low potassium and metabolic alkalosis [13, 14].
| Check | What it looks for | What studies show |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal X-rays | The stone, dilated loops of intestine behind a blockage | A peach stone has a typical look: oval, with a dense shell and an air-filled centre [10]. X-rays gave a clear answer in 70% of vomiting dogs [15] |
| Abdominal ultrasound | The object itself, fluid-filled intestine | Gave a clear answer in 97% of the same dogs [15]; combining X-rays and ultrasound was the most accurate [10] |
| CT scan (some cases) | Exact position of the pit | All 4 fruit pits in one study were identified on CT [11] |
| Chloride, potassium, sodium, blood gas | Losses from vomiting | In 138 dogs with gut foreign bodies: low chloride in 51.2%, metabolic alkalosis in 45.2%, low potassium in 25%, low sodium in 20.5% [14] |
| Lactate | A marker often raised with a blockage | High in 40.5% of the same dogs [14] |
| PCV and total solids | Dehydration | Often high with a blockage (hemoconcentration) [13]; see the CBC for dogs |
| Whole blood cyanide, serum thiocyanate | Cyanide exposure, if suspected | Sent to a specialist laboratory; the cherry-red colour of blood alone does not prove it [1] |
Low potassium after vomiting is explained in potassium in dogs and cats.
Will the pit pass? Care and outlook
Some objects pass on their own. In 68 dogs in which the vet tried medical management of a discrete foreign object, it passed through the colon in 47% [16]. If the dog is stable, the vet can follow the object with repeated X-rays; if it has not passed within 36 to 48 hours, stops moving, or the dog gets worse, it is removed [13].
Stones in the stomach can often be removed with an endoscope through the mouth [12, 13]. Removal of gut foreign bodies has a high survival rate [13]: in the 72-dog series, all dogs survived removal from the stomach and 94% survived surgery to open the intestine, but only 33% when part of the intestine had to be removed [9].
Related articles
Other foods explained: grapes and raisins, nuts and tomatoes.
En français : noyaux, pépins et chien.
Questions to ask your veterinarian
- Can you see the pit on the X-rays or ultrasound, and where is it?
- Is it likely to pass on its own, and when should we repeat the X-rays?
- Are my dog’s chloride, potassium and lactate normal after the vomiting?
- Is there any sign of cyanide poisoning, or was the pit swallowed whole?
- Can the pit be removed with an endoscope, or is surgery needed?
Get your dog’s emergency blood work explained.
AI DiagAnimals reads electrolytes, lactate, the blood count and chemistry together with your laboratory’s intervals, and prepares the questions for your vet. The service opens soon: leave your email to be told first.
Frequently asked questions
My dog ate apple seeds. Is this okay?
Apple seeds contain amygdalin, 1 to 4 mg per gram in one study [7], and cyanide is released mainly when seeds are crushed or chewed [1]. Seeds swallowed whole are less of a concern than a crunched core or many seeds. Call your vet or a pet poison line whatever the amount, especially if your dog drools, vomits or breathes fast.
What apples are safe for dogs to eat?
The variety does not change the seeds: all 15 varieties tested had amygdalin in their seeds [7]. What matters is the part: the flesh is low in cyanide-releasing compounds [1], while seeds, stems and leaves contain them [5]. Avoid rotten, fermented windfall apples, which have caused alcohol poisoning in a dog [8].
What fruit can’t dogs eat?
Grapes and raisins are the fruit that can damage a dog’s kidneys [17]. For apples, cherries, peaches, apricots and plums, the danger is the pits, seeds, stems and leaves [5, 6]. Large stones such as peach and plum stones can block the gut [3, 11], as can an avocado seed [19].
What do I do if my dog eats a peach pit?
Call your vet now. Cyanide poisoning is unlikely because dogs rarely chew the pit thoroughly, but the pit can block the gut, especially in small dogs [3]. Peach stones have a typical look on X-rays [10]. Do not make your dog vomit at home unless the vet tells you to: the vet decides whether the stone should be removed.
Sources
- Radke S. Cyanide Poisoning in Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, full review June 2026. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/cyanide-poisoning/cyanide-poisoning-in-animals
- Pet Poison Helpline. Cherry. petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/cherry
- Pet Poison Helpline. Peach Pits. petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/peach
- Pet Poison Helpline. Apricot. petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/apricot
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Apple. aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/apple
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Cherry. aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/cherry
- Bolarinwa IF, Orfila C, Morgan MR. Determination of amygdalin in apple seeds, fresh apples and processed apple juices. Food Chem. 2015;170:437-442. doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.08.083
- Kammerer M, Sachot E, Blanchot D. Ethanol toxicosis from the ingestion of rotten apples by a dog. Vet Hum Toxicol. 2001;43(6):349-350. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11757994
- Di Palma C et al. Endoscopic and Surgical Removal of Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in Dogs: An Analysis of 72 Cases. Animals. 2022;12(11):1376. doi.org/10.3390/ani12111376
- Meomartino L et al. Imaging of gastrointestinal foreign body obstructions in dogs and cats. Eur J Radiol Open. 2026;16:100753. doi.org/10.1016/j.ejro.2026.100753
- Koo J et al. Computed Tomographic Features of Bezoars and Other Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in Dogs and Cats: A Comparative Analysis. Animals. 2025;15(9):1260. doi.org/10.3390/ani15091260
- Laiket L et al. Prevalence and characteristics of foreign body-induced upper gastrointestinal obstruction in dogs. J Adv Vet Anim Res. 2025;12(2):601-609. doi.org/10.5455/javar.2025.l924
- Winkler KP. Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Small Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, full review August 2025. merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diseases-of-the-stomach-and-intestines-in-small-animals/gastrointestinal-obstruction-in-small-animals
- Boag AK et al. Acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies. J Vet Intern Med. 2005;19(6):816-821. doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2005)19[816:aaeaid]2.0.co;2
- Sharma A et al. Comparison of radiography and ultrasonography for diagnosing small-intestinal mechanical obstruction in vomiting dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2011;52(3):248-255. doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2010.01791.x
- Carrillo AJ, McCord MA, Dickerson VM. Clinical features and outcomes of dogs with attempted medical management for discrete gastrointestinal foreign material: 68 cases (2018-2023). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2024;262(9):1251-1258. doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.01.0050
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Serum biochemical analysis reference ranges. merckvetmanual.com/reference-values-and-conversion-tables/reference-guides/serum-biochemical-analysis-reference-ranges
- Pet Poison Helpline. Avocado. petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/avocado
Laboratory methods and reference intervals vary. This article explains; it does not diagnose. For a decision about your pet, use the original report and talk to your veterinarian. Our editorial policy.