Can Dogs Eat Cherries?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new foods, especially “people foods.” What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet unless your veterinarian tells you it’s fine to do so. 

Many fruits are safe for dogs to have as an occasional snack, from apples to watermelon. But can dogs eat cherries? The answer isn’t entirely straightforward.  

While the fruit itself is safe in small amounts, cherry pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide and can be toxic if ingested. When these parts are carefully removed, fresh cherries can be an occasional healthy treat for adult dogs and puppies. 

Can Dogs Have Cherries?

Yes, dogs can have fresh cherries with the pits, stems, and leaves removed. Avoid canned, maraschino, and other flavored cherries, which have added sugars and artificial ingredients that can be harmful to your dog. 

Instead of fresh cherries, you can also give your dog cherry-flavored dog treats. Here are some top-rated options: 

Are Cherries Good for Dogs?

When prepared safely and fed in moderation, cherries can provide a few health benefits for dogs. Here are some of the potential nutritional advantages they may offer: 

• They’re a good source of nutrients. Cherries contain antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber. 

• They may help reduce inflammation. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in cherries can reduce inflammation and support joint health, especially in older dogs. 

• They can support immune health. The vitamin C and other antioxidants in cherries can help support your dog’s immune system. 

• They might help with weight management. Cherries are low in calories and fat, making them a healthy, occasional treat for dogs on a controlled diet. 

• They offer natural hydration. Because of their high water content, cherries can provide a small hydration boost, especially on hot days. 

Are Cherries Bad for Dogs?

Of course, just because cherries can offer some health benefits doesn’t automatically make them a risk-free treat. So are cherries safe for dogs? That depends entirely on how they’re prepared and how much is given. 

Here’s a list of concerns with feeding your dog cherries: 

• High sugar content: Cherries have a high sugar content, and they can give your dog an upset stomach. Feeding your dog too much sugar over time can worsen health problems like diabetes and obesity. Because of this, dogs with diabetes or those who are overweight shouldn’t have cherries. 

• Choking hazard: The pit, stems, and leaves of a cherry can become a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage. Whole cherries can also be a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs. 

• Potential for cyanide poisoning: The much bigger concern is cherry pit toxicity in dogs. The pit, stems, and leaves all contain a compound called amygdalin, which gets metabolized to cyanide, just like the seeds in an apple. The number of cherry pits it takes to harm a dog depends on the size of the dog and whether they chewed on the pits. Chewing the pits releases amygdalin from the seed inside, which can lead to cyanide poisoning.  

Some signs of cherry poisoning in dogs from cyanide include: 

• 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 eaten any cherry pits, stems, or leaves, or you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately and take your dog to the vet clinic.  

How Many Cherries Can Dogs Eat?

All treats for dogs combined—even the healthy ones—should only make up 10% of their daily diet. The other 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food diet.  

And although cherries are small, it’s safest to cut them into halves or quarters when feeding them to your pup—especially for smaller-breed dogs.  

If you’re nervous that your dog ate too many cherries, watch out for the following symptoms of an upset stomach: 

• Diarrhea 

• Vomiting 

• Lack of appetite 

• Lethargy 

• Painful or distended stomach 

If you notice any of these symptoms in your pup, contact your veterinarian.  

How To Safely Feed Cherries to Dogs

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-silicone-dog-cat-lick-mat/dp/389613?utm_source=petmd.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=dog&utm_term=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chewy.com%2Ffrisco-silicone-dog-cat-lick-mat%2Fdp%2F389613&utm_content=/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-cherriesWhile cherries can be a sweet, occasional treat for your pup, it’s important to prep and serve them properly. Here’s how to prepare cherries safely for dogs: 

• Choose fresh, ripe cherries. Only feed fresh, unprocessed cherries; and avoid canned, maraschino, or sugary varieties. 

• Remove the pit, stems, and leaves. Cherry pits, stems, and leaves can contribute to cyanide poisoning. The pits can also be a choking hazard or lead to an intestinal blockage, especially for smaller dogs. 

• Wash thoroughly. Wash the cherries well to remove any dirt or pesticide residue. 

• Cut into small pieces. Smaller pieces are easier for your dog to chew.  

Once you’ve safely prepped the fruit, here are some dog-friendly cherry recipes and other fun ways to feed cherries to your dog:  

• Cherry fruit smoothie: Blend up some cherry pieces with other dog-safe fruits like strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. Give this mixture by itself, use it as a food topper, freeze it in your dog’s KONG toy, or spread onto a lick mat and freeze.  

• Cherry yogurt: Blend cherry pieces with plain, sugar-free, and xylitol-free yogurt and feed a little to your pup. You can also freeze the fruit pieces the night before, then blend the frozen fruit with the plain yogurt to make a dog-friendly frozen yogurt treat. 

• Stuffed KONG toy: Take any of the mixtures above and stuff them into your dog’s KONG toy. Your pup can lick it out as is, or you can freeze it overnight for a refreshing cold treat later.