Can dogs eat fruit pits?
No. Pits and stones of fruits like cherries, peaches and nectarines should never be given to dogs. They can break teeth, cause choking or block the gut, and they contain a small amount of cyanide. Always remove pits and seeds before sharing fruit.
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Why
Hard pits can fracture teeth, cause choking or obstruct the gut, and pits with rough edges can injure the food pipe as they are swallowed. The pit also contains a small amount of cyanide. Cyanide poisoning from stone fruits is rare, but pets can become ill after a tiny amount, so a broken-open pit is treated as urgent.
Signs to watch for
- Gagging
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Difficulty passing stool
- Belly pain
- Difficulty breathing
What to do
Call your vet right away if your dog breaks open a pit. If your dog swallowed a pit and shows any of these signs, call your vet.
24-hour help by country →Questions and answers
Is the fruit itself okay?
It depends on the fruit; see each fruit's page. In general, seeds, pits, cores, rinds and plant stems should be removed before feeding fruit to a dog.
Which fruits have pits?
Fruits like cherries, nectarines and peaches are called stone fruits. Like cherries, peach pits contain cyanide.
Related foods
All foods: What can dogs eat?Sources
- Summer Fun and Follies — VCA Animal Hospitals, Tammy Hunter DVM & Lynn Buzhardt DVM (updated 2023-08-23)
- Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can't Eat — American Kennel Club, AKC Staff (updated 2026-08-04)
General information from the sources below, not reviewed by a vet and not a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.
How kids practise this in PetPrep
In PetPrep a child looks after a realistic dog: meals at the right times, water, walks and care. Knowing what is safe to share is part of being ready for a real pet.