Although black cherries have a reputation for being toxic to dogs, this is not the case. The pit, leaves, and stems of the fruit contain cyanide, making it toxic to dogs. This cherry part should be kept out of your dog’s reach at all costs.
After the pit, leaves, and stem are removed, fresh cherries are fine for healthy puppies and adult dogs to eat. Consider that puppies have more sensitive stomachs than adult dogs, making them more susceptible to the effects of the sugar content.
Can Dogs Eat Cherries?
Canines should not consume cherries for the same reason that they shouldn’t consume chocolate. There is, however, the issue of how many cherries and in what form they are presented. The following is an examination of the reasons why it is recommended that you not feed your dog cherries.
The Seeds and Stems of Cherries Are Toxic
Cherry stems and seeds contain cyanogenic glycoside, also known as cyanide. This poison is highly dangerous and should be avoided even in minute doses.
The poison is only activated by gnawing on the plant’s seeds and stems. Cherry consumption (including pits and stems) by a dog can be fatal.
Your dog may swallow them whole, raising concerns that the pits will become lodged in the animal’s digestive tract and cause an obstruction.
They may be just fine, but is it really worth the chance?
Your Canine’s Canines Could Get Damaged
A cherry pit would be tough to chew through for even a dog. Your dog may be in a lot of pain if she eats a cherry because it will rot her teeth.
They Could Get Sick From Mold On The Cherries
Some types of mold can be fatal to dogs. One fruit whose flesh may be perfectly fine despite a rotten pit is cherries.
Avoid feeding your dog cherry pits and instead stick to feeding him only cherry flesh to prevent mold-related illness.
Cherries Are High in Sugar
Although canines have a sweet tooth, the high sugar content of cherries makes them unhealthy. If you want to avoid giving your dog a sugar rush on special occasions, you can give him a small amount of fresh cherries (without the pits and stems).
Your Dog’s Esophagus Could Get Damaged
The esophagus of your dog can be irritated by cherry pits and stems. If a pit gets stuck in the esophageal lining or rips through it, it can cause severe damage.
Some of the symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, gagging, and snorting.
Are Cherries Good for Dogs?
Feeding your dog a small amount of cherries every day can provide them with beneficial nutrients like:
- Antioxidants
- Melatonin
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Fiber
Use only fresh, unprocessed cherries that have been thoroughly washed and from which the pit, stems, and leaves have been removed. It’s recommended to give them in extremely low doses, as shown in the table below.
Can Cherries Be Bad for Dogs?
Due to their high sugar content, cherries should not be fed to a dog. Consistently feeding your dog a sweet diet can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems down the road.
Due to the high sugar content, dogs with diabetes or that are already overweight should not consume cherries.
The cherry pit, stems, and leaves all contain cyanide, just like apple seeds, which is a much bigger problem. Cyanide is toxic to dogs in large enough doses that they can die from it.
The size of the dog and how much it chewed on the pits before swallowing them determine whether or not the dog will become poisoned by cherry pits. The cyanide-containing seeds at the pits’ center may be released upon chewing.
Toxic effects of cyanide include:
- Too much panting
- failure to eat
- Hyperventilation
- Problems breathing regularly or easily
- Drooling
- Tummy hurts
- Flamboyantly red gums that are healthy and vigorous
- Dilation of the pupils
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Convulsions
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Paralysis
- Shock
If you think your dog has eaten a cherry pit, stem, or leaf, you should take him or her to the vet right away.
Cherry pits, stems, and leaves can all cause suffocation or intestinal obstruction.
Can Dogs Eat Cherries Without Pits?
If you take the time to remove the pits and stems, cherries can be given to your dog as a treat. Many people know that cherries are good for you. Cherry’s high fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidant content are just a few of the reasons they’re good for you, but there are also some reasons why you shouldn’t feed them to your dog.
Since cherries are so sweet, only a small amount should be given to your dog at a time. As an added bonus, the cherry fruit itself can obstruct a dog’s digestive tract. If you’re giving your puppy cherries for the first time, keep an eye out for any reactions.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Cherries?
Dried fruits have more sugar than fresh fruits. If you and your best friend are both diabetic, you may want to skip the dried cherries.
You can give your dog a few fresh cherries without the pits and stems if you know she enjoys them and they won’t make her sick.
Can Dogs Eat Maraschino Cherries?
Maraschino cherries aren’t toxic to dogs, but you shouldn’t feed them to your pet on a regular basis either. The high levels of sugar and preservatives in these foods could cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cherry Yogurt?
Cherry-flavored yogurt is toxic to dogs. Sugar, artificial ingredients, and the dog-toxic sweetener xylitol are common in flavored yogurts of all kinds.
Can Dogs Eat Cherry Ice Cream?
There are no exceptions, not even cherry ice cream. There’s far too much sugar for your dog to handle. Aside from other preservatives and additives, it may also contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
What Symptoms Occur From a Dog Eating Cherries?
It is up to you if you want to share some of your cherry treat with your dog. Make sure he doesn’t overdo it on the cherries and that he only eats the cherries, no stems or pits.
If your dog eats more than a few cherries, he or she may experience the following signs of cyanide poisoning:
- impaired by enlarged pupils
- Panting
- Shock
- Difficulties in breathing
- mucous membranes the color of blood
- Salivation
- Seizures and/or paralysis brought on by an extremely high temperature
- As crimson as cherry gums
The cyanide in your dog’s blood will prevent his cells from receiving enough oxygen to function properly. If you notice this, please do not wait to contact a veterinarian; suffocation can occur at any time.
How Many Cherries Can Dogs Eat?
Even with a healthy diet, a dog shouldn’t get more than 10% of its daily calories from treats. The other 90% should come from a premium dog food.
Check out this table to get a ballpark estimate of how many cherries your dog can safely consume. Cherry pits are poisonous to dogs, so even though cherries are small, you should still cut them in half or quarters before feeding them to your dog.
- A single cherry is awarded to the extra-small dog breeds including Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs, and Shih Tzus, which range in weight from 2 to 20 pounds.
- (Beagles, Basenjis, and miniature Australian shepherds are all good examples.) One or two cherries for a small dog (21-30 pounds).
- Medium-sized dogs, such as Basenjis, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, and Siberian Huskies, weigh 31-50 pounds and require 3-4 cherries per day.
- Give your big dog (weighing in at 51 to 90 pounds) five cherries as a treat.
- Any dog weighing more than 91 pounds (including Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, and Great Pyrenees) is equivalent to a modest serving of cherries.
If you think your dog may have become ill from eating too many cherries, keep an eye out for the following:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Insane eating disorder, or anorexia
- Lethargy
- Discomfort or bloating in the abdomen
If you notice any of these symptoms in your puppy, it’s important to see a vet right away.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Cherries
Instead of feeding your dog cherry pie filling or dried cherries, try feeding it fresh, unprocessed cherries that have been washed and cut into small pieces without the pits, stems, or leaves.
Then, you can proceed to one of the many enjoyable methods of cherry feeding for your dog that follow.
Cherry fruit smoothie
Blend some cherry pieces with other dog-safe fruits like banana, strawberry, and blueberry. Then, you can give your dog the concoction on its own as a reward, mix it into his regular food, or keep it in a frozen KONG toy. Overfeeding your dog with smoothie is a surefire way to make him sick, so keep servings to no more than 2 tablespoons for every 10 pounds of dog.
Cherry yogurt or frozen yogurt
Cherry pieces go great with a mixture of plain yogurt sweetened only with xylitol. The recipe can be modified to include any dog-friendly fruits. This can be thought of as a fruit yogurt for your dog if you want to give him or her human food.
If you put fruit pieces in the freezer the night before, you can make frozen yogurt for your dog by blending frozen fruit with plain yogurt in the morning. Dogs should not have more than 2 tablespoons of yogurt per day.
Stuffed KONG toy
The KONG can be stuffed with any of the above for your dog’s enjoyment. If you prefer a cold treat for your dog in the morning, you can either give it to him or her as is or freeze it. Remember that frozen treats are an excellent way to keep your dog occupied for long periods of time. And finally, this may help alleviate the pain that puppies experience when they are teething.
Dried cherries
Dried cherries are easy to make at home with a food dehydrator. Your version of the dried cherries is much healthier because it does not contain the added sugar found in commercially dried cherries.
What Are Some Safe Cherry Alternatives?
If you and your dog like to cool off with a fruity treat on a hot summer day, don’t give up on finding one. Many different kinds of healthy and delicious fruit are not only safe for dogs, but also good for them.
Blueberries
To put it simply, blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse. They offer protection against cell damage in both dogs and humans, and have fewer calories and less sugar than cherries.
They provide a good source of fiber while also being useful for teaching your dog to catch treats in the air.
Apples, pears, and peaches, among others
Peaches not only help you fight off infections, but they also help you stay healthy by providing you with plenty of vitamin A and fiber. In the same way that apple seeds contain cyanide, peach pits should be avoided. There is too much sugar in canned peaches, so you should stay away from them.
Pears, like most fruits, are safe for dogs to eat. There are many healthy nutrients in them, including fiber, copper, and vitamins K and C. You’ll want to cut it up into bite-sized pieces and remove the pit, just like you would with a peach.
Apples are a great source of vitamins A and C. The high fiber content is very beneficial for dogs. Make sure to peel them before slicing them thinly after removing the core and seeds.
Even Tastier Treats
These fruits, with the exception of bananas, should be safe for your dog:
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Cucumber
All fruit should have its pulp, seeds, stems, leaves, and rinds removed before being fed to a dog.
What Other Fruits Aren’t Safe?
In the same vein, here are some other fruits you shouldn’t give your pet:
- Avocados
- Grapes
- Tomatoes
Do not give grapes to a dog. They are poisonous to dogs of all ages, sexes, and breeds. Acute kidney failure is never something you want to risk by eating grapes.