Can Dogs Eat Cherries? – Is It Safe For Dogs To Eat Cherry?

No! Cherries contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamins A and C that are beneficial for dogs. But, the cherry flesh can upset your dog’s stomach even though it is safe for dogs to eat.

In addition, the cherry pit, leaves, and stem contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs if ingested in large quantities. So, cherry is not recommended for dogs.

Cherry fruit has a double-layered center, which comprises a hard outer shell and too harder inner seed. They can lead to severe health issues in canines.

The cherry pit can cause intestinal destruction in dogs and cyanide in cherries can pose a severe threat in canines. Cyanide will inhibit oxygen uptake in dogs so that tissues won’t get enough oxygen.

Let’s look at how several parts of the cherry fruit affect dogs.

1. Cherry flesh – Although it is high in fiber, it can cause diarrhea.
2. Hard pit – It will cause damage to your dog’s teeth by creating fractures to the tooth. This will result in immense pain.
3. Razor-sharp ridges – It can tear the delicate lining of the dog’s throat.
4. Spoiled fruit flesh ferments– Sometimes, they can be found in the cherry fruit. They will convert natural sugars into alcohol, which may cause intoxication.

If your dog has eaten a cherry, unfortunately, you don’t need to be panic. And, one or two cherries won’t cause much damage to your dog.

But, cherries can cause allergic reactions in canines. The pits of cherries are particularly dangerous and ingestion of it will lead to cyanide poisoning in your pooch.

The risk of poisoning will be higher the more cherries your dog eats. So, it is always recommended to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure your dog’s health and safety.

In addition, it is vital for the dog owners to keep an eye out for signs of cyanide toxicity in your dog. The symptoms of cyanide poisoning in dogs include

• Bright red gums
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Dilated pupils

In serious cases, dogs can go into shock. If you see any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away. The vet may suggest dog owners induce vomiting in their dogs to prevent cyanide poisoning.

Another major concern about cherries is the gastrointestinal obstruction from the cherry pit. If your dog ingests even one cherry pit, it can cause intestinal blockage, especially in small dogs.

The symptoms of gastrointestinal blockage include

• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting

If you spot such signs in your dog, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

What Are the Steps Should Dog Owners Follow in Case of Cherry ingestion in their Dogs?

It is essential for dog owners to keep an eye out for the symptoms of cherry toxicity in their dogs for at least 24 hours after it has eaten cherries.

If your dog has swallowed a single pit, look out for symptoms such as decreased fecal production, constipation, decreased appetite, vomiting, and intestinal blockage. These symptoms usually take around 24 hours to appear.

But, if your dog consumes multiple cherry pits, cyanide poisoning symptoms might set in which may include dilated pupils, bright red gums, and labored breathing. Please contact your vet if your dog needs immediate medical attention.

Action Plan To Tackle Cherry Ingestion In Dogs 

But, it is wise to set an action plan when you suspect your dog has eaten the cherry. But, before setting the plan, dog owners should

1. Take a note of the vet’s name and phone number as well as the details of the vet clinic.
2. Note down the contact details of the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinarian in your area.

After taking down these details, set the plan by following the below-mentioned steps.

1. Check inside your dog’s mouth to see for any obstruction, such as a cherry pit. You can do this by having eye-level with your dog and open its mouth and then gently push its lower jaw down to see inside.
2. Remove the pit with your fingers if you can. But, don’t force your dog to vomit without consulting your veterinarian. Also, don’t give your dog medication without consulting a veterinarian.
3. Survey the area where your dog was found and look for evidence of whatever it has swallowed or eaten.
4. Save the sample in a sealed bag or container for your vet.
5. Finally, get help from your veterinarian immediately after your dog has dislodged an obstruction.

The vet may do a physical examination to determine whether there is still any danger and provides appropriate treatment for it.

But, dog owners have to make sure to keep the cherries out of their dog’s reach to prevent such toxic effects in dogs.

Dog owners can prevent cyanide poisoning in dogs by inducing vomiting in them.  But, treatment is the topmost priority when your dog ingests cherries in large quantities.

Generally, the vets will make your dog inhale nitrates and administer IV fluids to treat the toxicity in them.

Inhalation of Nitrates

The vet usually makes your dog inhale amyl nitrate and sodium nitrate when your pooch ingests cherries. These nitrates are the effective antidotes of cyanide poisoning in dogs.

Detoxification

He may give thiocyanate and rhodanese through IV fluids to detoxify your dog that has been poisoned with a cherry.

The vet may give sodium thiosulfate to your dog orally. It will prevent more production of cyanide in dogs. And, it also assists to convert the cyanide into a specific type and helps the dog to remove cyanide through urination.

He may also use other antidotes to detoxify cyanide.

Recovery of Cherry Poisoning in Dogs

If your dog is able to receive treatment on time after it is affected by cherry poisoning, it will get recovery soon.

So, you must always keep an eye over your dog, especially if it goes outdoors in the midst of cherry trees.

Also, it is essential to take care of your dog in an effective manner once your dog has returned home. You can take care of your pooch in the following ways.

• Sticking to the schedule and provide the correct dosage of medications to your dog.
• Keep an eye on your pooch for any behavioral changes for new symptoms to be addressed with the vet.

Yes, of course. The cherry pit, irrespective of its size, can cause a choking hazard in dogs when swallowed. And, the cherry pit contains 3.9 mg of amygdalin for every 1g.

The amygdalin will be metabolized into hydrogen cyanide in your dog’s stomach and gut. This obstruction caused by the cherry pits in the dog’s intestine, stomach, or bowel will be painful and dangerous to your pooch.

Sometimes, the rotten pits found inside the fresh fruit can also cause stomach ache and related gastrointestinal issues in canines.

But, a single cherry pit will not cause cyanide poisoning in dogs. So, if you feed cherry to your dog after removing the cherry pit, you don’t need to worry about cyanide poisoning.

However, keep in mind that the only cherry flesh is safe for your dog to eat.

No! Maraschino cherries are often used to garnish drinks or can be served on top of a dessert. And, they don’t have pits and their stems are usually removed.

But, the maraschino cherries are loaded with a high amount of sugar. Consuming too much sugar can cause gastrointestinal issues in the short-term and diabetes or obesity in the long run in dogs.

In addition, the following contents in these cherries will lead to severe effects in canines.

1. Sodium benzoate – It is a preservative in maraschino cherries and will cause an allergic reaction in your dog. Also, it can damage your dog’s organs such as the heart, pancreas, or liver.
2. Citric acid– This ingredient will create bloat in canines.
3. FD&C Red #40– They are one of the most common and recognized artificial food dyes to make the cherries look pretty and colorful. But, these dyes contain cancer-causing contaminants and are linked with your dog’s hyperactivity.
4. Artificial Flavor–  It will promote liver inflammation and dysplasia in dogs.
5. Potassium Sorbate– This additive can cause cancer in your pooch.
6. Sulfur Dioxide– It is a preservative that can cause vitamin B1 deficiency in canines.

So, it’s best to avoid feeding maraschino cherries to dogs.

No, cherries are not actually safe for your dogs to consume. In fact, dogs can consume unprocessed cherries, but extra care is necessary while preparing them.

So, feed your dogs only with cherries without any pits, stem, and leaves.

In other words, it’s better not to feed cherries at all because they are not worth the tremendous effort when other simple safer options like apples are available.

What Are the Alternatives to Cherries for Dogs?

Cherries are rich in nutrients. But, they are not the optimum source for dogs. So, you can opt for the alternatives to cherries for your dog.

You can try out the following alternatives to your dog.

Blueberries – They are a fruity treat for your pup as they don’t contain a pit. Blueberries are also an excellent source of energy and are not as wholesome as apples.

Strawberry – It is the best alternative to cherries for your dog. Enzymes in it will keep your dog’s teeth white!

Blackberries – They are proven safe for doggy consumption.

With all these berry alternatives, there’s no reason to risk feeding your dog cherries.

1. Are Cherries Poisonous to Dogs?

Yes. The pits, stems, and leaves of cherries contain cyanide, which is toxic if consumed in large quantities.

Although the amount of cyanide in one or two cherries probably isn’t enough to do serious damage, cherry is not recommended for dogs.

2. Can Dogs Eat Dried Cherries?

No, it is not safe for dogs. Dried cherries are pitted, but the packaging generally warns you that some may remain.

These cherries may contain added sugars and preservatives that can be harmful to your pet. So, it is better not to feed it to your dog.

3. Is cherry flavored food good for dogs?

No! It is usually full of artificial flavoring, chemicals, and sugar. Even foods that are naturally flavored with real cherries are often quite sugary.

So, it’s best to stick to real foods that have ingredients that you are familiar with and are known to be safe for canines. You can also ask a nutritionist or your veterinarian for further advice on which foods are safe and healthy for your dog.

4. Can Dogs Eat Wild Black Cherries?

No, they are unsafe for your dogs to eat. Wild black cherries are small in size of a peanut but contain less amygdalin.

But, the trace amount of amygdalin is still enough to create hydrogen cyanide in dogs.