Can Dogs Have Cherries?
Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Dogs are able to have unprocessed cherries, but you need to take the utmost care when preparing them, and you should always keep cherries that are not pitted well out of reach.
The greatest risk in cherries is that their pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide, which is toxic and possibly deadly if eaten in high enough amounts. Cherry pits also have the potential to be stuck in a dog’s gastrointestinal tract and lead to intestinal blockages.
What about maraschino cherries, which come pre-pitted? Sure, they might be pitted, but maraschinos aren’t a healthy dog treat since they’re generally sweetened with high concentrations of sugar.
What If Your Dog Swallows a Whole Cherry?
Can Dogs Eat Cherries? If your dog manages to get their paws on an entire cherry when you are not present, do not worry. A single cherry pit will not lead to cyanide poisoning. Nonetheless, you should monitor for signs of intestinal obstruction, such as vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, and reduced fecal output.
These signs can occur as long as 24 hours after your dog ingested a cherry pit. Note that small dogs are more prone to intestinal obstruction from a small pit.
If your dog consumes several cherries, you need to observe for symptoms of cyanide poisoning. Symptoms are hard breathing, bright red gums, and open pupils. If you realize that your dogs ingested several cherries without pits, it’s a good call to call your vet as a precautionary measure. Your vet might determine that the best thing to do is induce vomiting to avoid cyanide toxicity.
Most fruits can safely be consumed by dogs as an occasional snack, ranging from apples to watermelon. But is it safe for dogs to eat cherries? The response isn’t quite that simple.
Although the fruit itself is safe to consume in small quantities, stems, pits, and leaves of cherries have cyanide and are poisonous if swallowed. If taken care to extract these parts, fresh cherries can be a rare healthy snack for adult dogs and puppies.
Why Are Cherries Bad for Dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Cherries are dangerous for dogs mainly due to the fact that the pit, stem and leaves are full of cyanide, which is poisonous for dogs. Additionally, the pit can create an intestinal obstruction.
The cyanide contained in cherries is poisonous to dogs when eaten in sufficient amounts. One cherry pit or stem is usually not sufficient to make the dog sick with cyanide poisoning, but there is no need to take a chance. The cherry pits also pose a choking risk or intestinal blockage if swallowed.
Although the cherry flesh has vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants, it has also been known to upset dogs’ stomachs.
Can Dogs Have Cherries of Any Kind
Can Dogs Eat Cherries? You shouldn’t give any type of cherry to a dog. There are several varieties of cherries available, including bing, rainier, black and maraschino. Maraschino cherries may not have a pit, but they are high in sugar, which is not good for dogs.
“Not a good idea to provide your dog with any canned fruits because they contain added sugars and preservatives,” according to Purina Nutritionist Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS. Excess sugar can contribute to obesity, diabetes, dental issues, and digestive problems.
While dogs can eat fresh cherries, the pits, stems, and leaves must be removed beforehand. Since preparing them takes effort and dogs usually won’t consume enough to gain any real nutritional benefit, it may not be worth the trouble.
Can dogs eat cherries?
Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Yes — but only when the fruit is served plain, with all pits, stems, and leaves taken out. Steer clear of canned, maraschino, and other sweet cherries, which contain added sugars and artificial additives that can be toxic to your dog.
What to do if your dog has eaten cherries
Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Now that you have an understanding of why cherries are not good for dogs, what can you do if your dog manages to eat them? If your dog steals an entire cherry from behind your back, do not worry. A single cherry pit is not typically enough to produce cyanide poisoning. But do watch for signs of intestinal obstruction, constipation and lack of appetite. Watching your pet closely will allow you to catch serious issues early.
Phone your vet or pet poison control right away, though, if you find that your dog has ingested multiple cherries—or observe any of the cyanide poisoning symptoms listed above. Explain to them that you’ve observed signs of poisoning in your dog and that cherries are the suspected source. There are a few things you can do at home or in a vet hospital to counter the effects of cyanide poisoning.
Some of the symptoms of cherry poisoning in dogs due to cyanide are:
- Excessive panting
- Loss of appetite
- Hyperventilation
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooling
- Abdominal pain
- Bright red gums
- Dilated pupils
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Convulsions
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Paralysis
- Shock
If your dog has ingested any of the cherry pits, stems, or leaves, or you observe any of the mentioned symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately and bring your dog to the vet clinic.