Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Everything You Need to Know Before Feeding Them

The topic of whether our dogs can consume fruits is frequently a controversial and disputed matter.

Fruits are often thought of as a great healthy snack by humans, but dog owners are well aware that some fruits, such as grapes, are toxic to dogs.

Cherries belong to the prunus family, which also includes plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. For example, can dogs eat cherries?

Can Dogs Eat Cherries?

Cherries are a healthy fruit that is high in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, fiber, and melatonin.

Guess what…

The flesh is safe for dogs to eat, but as you can see, there isn’t much flesh on each cherry!

Other parts of the cherry contain cyanide, a poison. YES.

Cyanide is found in all types of cherries, including black cherries. It can be found in plants’ stems, pits, and leaves. 

Fresh cherries in the store always have cherry pits in the center and usually have stems and a few leaves.

Are Cherries Safe for Dogs? – Cherry Poisoning

Cherry fruit may look pretty and juicy but…

It contains cyanide, which is a carbon and nitrogen-containing chemical compound. It exists as a gas or as salt crystals, both of which are extremely toxic.

It is found in some plants, cigarette smoke, and some plastics when well as cigarette smoke and some plastics when they are burned.

Well, it gets worse…

When your dog eats cherries, the fruit lets out chemicals known as cyanogenic glycosides then combines it with an enzyme to convert the cyanide to an active form which is harmful for your dog.

Symptoms and Signs of Dog Cyanide Poisoning

If your dog has eaten a few cherries and has diarrhea, it is likely to exhibit the following cyanide poisoning symptoms:

• Having difficulty breathing

• Mucus membranes and red gums

• pupils that are dilated

• Tremors

• Shock (rapid heartbeat and breathing, fall in body temperature) (rapid heartbeat and breathing, fall in body temperature)

• Convulsions and seizures

Take your dog to the vet if he exhibits any of these symptoms.

and be careful…

Smaller dogs get affected by these symptoms in the worst way possible. This is why you shouldn’t feed cherries to smaller dogs especially puppies.

Can Dogs Eat Any Kind of Cherries?

A dog should not be fed any kind of cherry. There are numerous varieties of cherries available, including Bing, rainier, dried cherries, black, and maraschino cherries.

That’s not it…

Although maraschino cherries do not have a pit, they are high in sugar and are not suitable for dogs.

You could give your dog a fresh cherry to make up for dog treats, and not let them eat unprocessed cherries but make sure you remove the pit, stem, and leaves first.

That’s a lot of work, especially since your dog won’t eat enough of the fruit to reap any benefits.

Cherries and Intestinal Obstruction

Even if your dog eats multiple cherries, dried cherries or one or two cherry pits, they can cause your dog’s digestive tract to block.

This can occur up to 24 hours after consumption.

Tiny-sized dogs and pups can easily become clogged and are more vulnerable to this. This happens either because of too much sugar or the cyanide toxicity of the cherry pit.

And guess what…

Constipation (inability to poop), refusal to eat and vomiting are all symptoms of intestinal obstruction in your dog.

What to Do If Your Dog Consumes an Entire Cherry?

Accidents happen, so it’s not unreasonable to believe your dog could consume an entire cherry (or more).

Fortunately…..

One or two cherries, pit and all, are unlikely to harm them. They may have a mild reaction, such as nausea or diarrhea.

If your dog ate one or two cherries, keep an eye out for signs of intestinal blockages, such as constipation, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

A single cherry pit is more likely to cause an intestinal blockage in a small dog, but large dogs should also be monitored.

You don’t have to panic…

Just keep in mind if your dog eats a handful or whole cherries, you just have to keep an eye out for symptoms of cyanide poisoning, such as difficulty breathing, red gums, and dilated pupils.

Are Cherry Flavored foods Bad for Dogs?

De-pitted cherries with stems removed may be a better choice for dogs.

Cherries contain vitamins A and C, fiber, antioxidants, melatonin, and other nutrients that may be beneficial.

However, there are many other fruits and foods available that do not pose the same risks as cherries and do not necessitate the time-consuming process of removing the pits before you feed cherries to your dog.

There are always alternatives…

Apples with no core or seeds, for example, are high in fiber and vitamins. Blueberries are high in antioxidants.

Because these fruits contain sugar and may upset the stomachs of some dogs, they are not suitable for all dogs and should not be given in large quantities.

Artificial flavoring, chemicals, and sugar are commonly found in cherry-flavored foods. These are harmful to dogs. Even foods naturally flavored with real cherries are frequently quite sugary.

It’s best to stick to real foods with ingredients you know and that are known to be safe for dogs.

Conclusion

While cherries are not a good choice for dogs, there are plenty of other fresh fruits and berries that your dog can eat without the risks listed above.

Blueberries, mangoes, and apples without the core and seeds are all excellent choices.

When in doubt, stick to traditional dog treats, which your dog will likely find just as exciting and tasty as fresh fruit.

Read more information on cherries and other fruits you can give to your dog for food and nutrition.

FAQS

Can dogs eat cherries without pits?

Yes, absolutely!

If you remove the stem, pit, and leaves from cherries, you can give them to your dog without fear of cyanide poisoning.

How many cherries does a dog eat in a day?

Fortunately, one or two cherries, pit and all, are unlikely to harm them. They may have a mild reaction, such as nausea or diarrhea. 

Even if he only eats one or two cherries, keep an eye out for signs of intestinal blockages such as constipation, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

Can dogs have fresh cherries?

Yes, dogs can eat fresh unprocessed cherries, but you must exercise extreme caution when preparing them, and keep un-pitted cherries out of reach.

How many cherries are toxic to dogs?

The cherry contains cyanide, which is toxic to dogs and can kill them. A few pitted cherries here and there won’t hurt your dog, but they shouldn’t be a regular treat.