09/15/2026
🐾 TIP TUESDAY: WATCH THE FALLEN FRUIT
That fruit dropping from your backyard tree may look harmless—but what happens after it lands can create several risks for dogs.
🍎 FERMENTATION
Fruit left on the ground can begin to ferment and produce alcohol. A dog that eats enough may appear unsteady, sleepy, disoriented or unusually quiet.
🦠 MOLD
Rotting fruit may develop mold capable of producing toxins. Depending on the toxin and amount consumed, signs can include vomiting, agitation, tremors, poor coordination or seizures.
🪨 PITS AND CORES
Peach, plum, cherry and other fruit pits can become choking hazards or cause an intestinal blockage. Chewed pits may present additional toxicity concerns.
🐝 INSECTS
Fallen fruit attracts wasps and other insects, creating another risk for curious noses and mouths.
A few simple precautions:
• Pick ripe fruit regularly
• Clear fallen fruit from the ground each day
• Block access to composting or rotting fruit
• Supervise dogs around fruit trees
• Don’t assume unusual behavior is simply tiredness
If your dog eats rotting or fermented fruit and begins acting unusually, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service promptly.
Cleaning up beneath the fruit trees isn’t just yard work—it’s part of keeping your dog safe.
