Many dog owners want to share their favorite foods with their pets. Cherries, known for their bright color and sweet flavor, often come to mind. But are cherries safe for dogs? The simple answer is: not really. While the fleshy part of a cherry isn’t poisonous to dogs, other parts like the pit, stem, and leaves can be harmful. Because of the risks, cherries are best kept away from dogs.
Knowing the reasons why some parts of a cherry are dangerous can help you protect your dog’s health. In this article, we’ll explain the risks, what to do if your dog eats a cherry, and better snack options for pets.
Can Dogs Eat Cherries?
Is it a good idea to give dogs cherries?
The soft inside of a cherry has some vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that can be good for dogs. However, the dangers from the pit, stem, and leaves make cherries a risky choice for a treat. These parts contain cyanide, which can be toxic or even deadly to dogs. Because there are so many safe fruits you can give your dog instead, most vets say it’s better not to offer cherries at all.
Cherries can also cause choking, especially in small dogs, and pits can get stuck in your dog’s intestines, causing serious problems. Removing all the dangerous parts from each cherry is difficult and easy to mess up. The sugar in cherries might also upset your dog’s stomach. With so many safer options available, cherries are one snack most dog owners choose to skip.
Which cherry types are relevant for dogs?
The most common types of fresh cherries-like Bing, Rainier, and black cherries-are often found at grocery stores or in gardens. No matter which type, all pits, stems, and leaves are unsafe for dogs. Even though the flesh itself isn’t toxic, keeping dogs away from cherries is safest because of the high chance they’ll swallow a pit or stem by accident.
Processed cherries like maraschino cherries, dried cherries, and cherries in jams or pie fillings are also bad for dogs. Maraschino cherries are packed with added sugars and artificial chemicals. Dried cherries have even more sugar than fresh ones. Both types can upset your dog’s stomach or lead to health problems like obesity and diabetes over time. Whatever the form, cherries are not a safe treat for dogs.
Are Cherries Safe or Poisonous for Dogs?
Do cherries contain poison for dogs?
Parts of cherries-specifically the pits, stems, and leaves-do contain a dangerous substance called cyanide. Cyanide interferes with how dog’s bodies use oxygen, which can cause serious illness or even death. The fruit part itself isn’t dangerous, but taking out all the pits and other harmful pieces is tough and mistakes can have serious consequences.
The threat isn’t just a small risk. Chewing even a few pits can release enough cyanide to harm some dogs, especially small ones. Dogs may eat cherries whole, pit and all, without realizing the danger. For this reason, animal experts strongly recommend not feeding cherries to dogs and instead focusing on prevention.
Which part of a cherry is unsafe for dogs?
The most dangerous parts are the pit, stem, and leaves. These contain a substance called amygdalin, which turns into cyanide in a dog’s stomach. Cyanide is the real troublemaker here.
The cherry’s flesh doesn’t have this toxin, but making sure your dog doesn’t ever get to the pit, stem, or leaves is challenging. Even prepared cherries could have some bits left. Cherry pits can also block your dog’s intestines, leading to other emergencies. That’s why feeding cherries to dogs is so risky.
What is cyanide poisoning in dogs?
Cyanide poisoning happens when a dog eats something with cyanide in it, such as cherry pits, stems, or leaves. The toxin stops the body from using oxygen properly, and cells begin to fail quickly. This can lead to damage and, if not treated quickly, death.
Signs of poisoning start quickly-sometimes in just 15 to 30 minutes. Symptoms include trouble breathing, bright red gums, enlarged pupils, drooling, panting, weakness, shaking, convulsions, and in severe cases, collapse or death. Dogs that have eaten chewed pits are at extra risk. Getting help from a vet as soon as possible is very important if you think your dog ate any part of a cherry plant.
Risks and Possible Dangers of Cherries for Dogs
Can cherry pits cause choking or blockages?
Yes. Besides containing toxins, cherry pits can also cause choking. They can get stuck in your dog’s throat, stopping their breathing. If swallowed, the pits can move into the intestines and get stuck, causing a blockage. This can be painful and requires a trip to the vet, sometimes for surgery. Smaller dogs are especially in danger because their digestive tracts are narrow.
Can stems and leaves hurt my dog?
Yes, stems and leaves from cherries are also not safe. They carry the same toxin found in the pits. Even though dogs are less likely to eat leaves or stems, chewing even a small amount can be enough to make a dog sick. If you have cherry trees where your dog plays, always pick up fallen fruit, leaves, or branches to keep your dog safe.
Symptoms of cherry poisoning in dogs
It’s important to know what to look for if your dog has eaten cherries. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, heavy panting, bright red gums, large pupils, drooling, not wanting to eat, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, seizures, tiredness, confusion, or suddenly collapsing. These problems can develop fast and are very dangerous.
If the pit causes a blockage, symptoms include lots of vomiting, not eating, straining to go to the bathroom, belly pain, and acting tired. Both types of problems mean you need to call your vet right away.
How fast do symptoms start?
Signs of cyanide poisoning may appear in as little as 15 to 30 minutes after your dog eats cherry pits, stems, or leaves. Chewing the parts makes the toxin absorb even faster. Bad symptoms can happen within just a few hours.
For a blockage caused by swallowing a pit, symptoms can take longer-sometimes they show up many hours to a day later. Choking happens right away if the pit gets stuck in the throat. Watch your dog closely if you think they ate any part of a cherry.
Can Dogs Eat Cherry Products or Cherry-Flavored Treats?
Are maraschino or dried cherries okay for dogs?
No. Maraschino cherries are usually pitted, but they are full of added sugar, food coloring, and preservatives. All these ingredients are unhealthy for dogs and can upset their stomachs or lead to weight and dental problems. Dried cherries are also bad for dogs because sugar is concentrated during the drying process, and they can raise the risk for obesity and diabetes. Even though they seem safer, avoid giving these products to your dog.
What about cherry-flavored foods and jams?
No, don’t give these to your dog. Cherry-flavored foods and jams are high in sugar, which can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and, over time, major health problems like diabetes and tooth decay. Some products may also include xylitol, a sugar substitute that is extremely dangerous for dogs and can cause low blood sugar, liver failure, or death. Even natural cherry flavoring or colorings aren’t good for your dog and add no real nutrition. Avoid all cherry-flavored human snacks and pick dog treats instead.
If You Still Want to Give Your Dog Cherries
How to prepare cherries for dogs (not recommended)
If you choose to give your dog cherries-something most vets don’t suggest-it’s extremely important to remove all pits, stems, and leaves. To do this, cut open each cherry by hand and double-check that nothing remains. Wash the cherry well to get rid of any dirt or chemicals. Cut the flesh into small pieces before giving it to your dog to lower the risk of choking. Offer only a very small amount and only on rare occasions, watching closely for tummy troubles.
How many cherries could a dog have?
| Dog Size | Maximum Cherries (pitted, no stems or leaves) | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Extra small (2-10 lbs) | 1 | 2-3 times/week |
| Small (11-20 lbs) | 2 | 2-3 times/week |
| Medium (21-50 lbs) | 3 | 2-3 times/week |
| Large (51-90 lbs) | 4 | 2-3 times/week |
| Extra-large (91+ lbs) | 5 | 2-3 times/week |
If your dog gets an upset stomach or any other symptoms, stop giving cherries immediately. Safer treats include apple slices (without seeds) or blueberries, which have many of the same benefits with fewer risks.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Cherries or Cherry Pits
First things to do if your dog eats cherries
If your dog eats a cherry or a cherry pit, try to stay calm but act fast. Remove any leftover cherries from their reach. Check your dog’s mouth for pieces of the cherry and clear them out safely. Pick up any pits or stems you find, so you know how much your dog might have eaten.
Watch your dog for symptoms like difficulty breathing, lack of energy, vomiting, or strange gum color. Take note of how many cherries or pits you think were eaten and when. Don’t try to make your dog vomit unless a vet says so, as it can do more harm than good. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic for help right away.
When to call the vet
Call your vet right away if you think your dog ate cherries, especially the pits, stems, or leaves. The earlier you get help, the better the chances your dog will recover without lasting problems. Tell the vet how many cherries your dog ate and if you think any toxic parts were swallowed.
If your dog is showing any worrying symptoms-especially breathing problems, odd gum color, vomiting, loss of appetite, belly pain, or shaking-get emergency help without delay. Even small signs can worsen quickly, so don’t hesitate to seek advice and get your dog checked out.
FAQs About Dogs and Cherries
Can puppies eat cherries?
No, puppies should not have cherries at all. Their bodies are sensitive-even a small amount of sugar can make a puppy sick. Puppies are more likely to swallow things whole, increasing the risk of choking and blockages. Because they are smaller, even a bit of cyanide can be very dangerous for them compared to adult dogs.
Can a single cherry pit harm my dog?
One pit is not likely to poison a big dog, but it can still be very dangerous, especially for smaller dogs. The pit can choke them or block their gut. If a small dog or puppy eats even one pit, call your vet just to be safe. Even for bigger dogs, eating a pit is never risk-free.
What if my dog eats cherry stems or leaves?
If your dog eats stems or leaves, pick up any leftover plant parts and monitor for any signs of poisoning like breathing issues, drooling, vomiting, or weakness. Contact your vet right away and describe what happened, how much your dog ate, and when. Don’t try to make your dog vomit without talking to the vet first-professional advice and quick action are the best steps for your pet’s health.
