Can Dogs Eat Cherries?

Cherries are small stone-like fruits that have a variety of flavors and colors. No matter what color, cherries can be both tart and sweet. Everyone loves cherries for their tart and sweet flavor. Have you ever tried giving cherries to your dog? If yes, then you must know the answer to the question- can dogs eat cherries? The answer is definitely no. For once you can give your dog the flesh of the cherry as it contains vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants which are beneficial to dogs. But there is a problem with that also as it could cause problems like stomach upset.

Nutrition Facts For Cherries

Nutrition	Value as (per a cup)
Calories	95
Protein	1.6 g
Fat	0.3 g
Carbohydrate	24 g
Fiber	3.2 g
Sugars	19.2 g
Calcium	20mg
Iron	0.5 mg
Magnesium	17 mg
Potassium	333 mg
Vitamin C	10.5 mg

What Are The Dangers Of Feeding Cherries?

Your dog can not eat cherries as all the parts contain a harmful liquid called cyanide. Cyanide is present in the cherry pit, stem, and leaves. A single cherry pit can cause cyanide poisoning and it can also cause choking hazards and intestinal obstruction. Cyanide present in the cherry pits is poisonous to both humans and dogs and can be potentially fatal if consumed in large quantities. So, if you are so tempted to give your dog cherries, then make sure that you separate the stem, leaves, and pit before giving it to your dog.

Along with the cyanide poisoning, the cherry pit can easily become stuck in your dog’s digestive tract which can pose a serious threat and even lead to the sad demise of your dog if left untreated. The smaller breeds are more prone to intestinal blockages from the small cherry pit. So, if you have a puppy, then you need to take special care of him as he is in more danger with both cyanide poisoning and intestinal blockages. Also, you are recommended not to feed any human food to dogs without consulting your vet.

You might be thinking of giving cherries to your dog that are pitless such as sweet maraschino cherries but there is another problem that can cause life-threatening diseases. The problem with these cherries is not the pits but the amount of sugar added to sweeten them. As you know that added sugar is always harmful to dogs and can cause problems like diarrhea, vomiting and eventually leading to more serious diseases like pancreatitis, diabetes, and obesity.

What If Your Dog Eats Whole Cherries?

If your dog accidentally ate a full bowl of cherries when you were not there to supervise him. There is no need to panic. First, try to figure out that how many cherries have been eaten by your dog, and don’t forget to consider the weight and size of your dog. One cherry pit won’t cause cyanide poisoning but there may be a risk of intestinal blockages. One cherry pit can damage the tissues of the esophagus and cause obstruction in the stomach further.

You need to examine your dog for at least 24 hours and look for the symptoms such as vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, etc. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning may present themselves in 15- 20 minutes. In such a case, you should immediately call your vet and meanwhile, you can check the symptoms of cyanide poisoning that may include red gums, difficulty in breathing, and dilated pupils. 

Conclusion

Do your dog loves eating cherries? Dogs are always ready to eat anything they find off the floor, right? But dogs cannot eat cherries due to the presence of a harmful liquid called cyanide that can cause even cyanide poisoning. Cyanide is present in every part of a cherry such as a stem, leaves, and cherry pit. One cherry is not enough to cause cyanide poisoning. But on the safer side, you should know the symptoms of cyanide poisoning so that you can take immediate action. The symptoms may include red gums, difficulty in breathing, and dilated pupils. Besides, the cherry pit can cause intestinal blockages.   

If your dog ate too many cherries then do not panic. You need to examine your dog for at least 24 hours and look for the symptoms such as vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, etc. All these symptoms require immediate veterinary attention as any delay in treatment can make you lose your pet.

If you want more options to feed your pet dog then take a look at guide to fruits for dogs.

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