Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Are Cherries Safe For Dogs?

Can dogs eat cherries? In short, no. Dog’s shouldn’t be fed cherries by their owners. Have you already fed cherries to your dog? Do not worry, 1 or 2 cherries will not have serious consequences, but you should monitor your dog for any abnormal behaviors. Although there are plenty of nutritional benefits of cherries, there are also plenty of reasons not to. There are a wide variety of other fruits and human food alternatives as tasty treats or light snacks. Read more to find out!

Busy? Get Your Hands Paws On The Answers Quickly…

• Are Cherries Good For Dogs?
• Can Your Dog Eat Maraschino Cherries, Pipless Cherries Or Any Other Cherry Flavored Foods?
• What Are The Symptoms If Your Dog Has Eaten A Cherry?
• What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats A Cherry?
• What Nutritious Fruits Can Your Dog Eat?
• FAQs

ARE CHERRIES GOOD FOR DOGS? 

The outside (flesh) of the cherry is, in fact, ok for dogs to eat. It contains vitamins A and C as well as fiber and antioxidants. Even though the flesh of the cherry is edible, it is still not recommended for dogs to eat as there may be traces of cyanide. Cyanide is a chemical compound that is highly toxic and has serious consequences when consumed by dogs. The pips and stem of cherries are what contain the highly toxic chemical.

CAN YOUR DOG EAT MARASCHINO CHERRIES, PIPLESS CHERRIES OR ANY OTHER CHERRY FLAVORED FOODS?

Maraschino Cherries
Maraschino cherries are bright pink looking cherries that you tend to find on top of cakes or inside alcoholic beverages. Although these cherries are usually de-pitted and have the stems removed, it is not a good idea to feed these to your dogs as they contain high levels of sugar and additives. 

Pre Bought Pipless Cherries
In theory, your dog will be able to eat cherries that have the stem and pips removed. However, some cherries may contain traces of cyanide that could still affect your dog and cause them to have similar symptoms. 

Cherry Flavored Foods
Similar to the above. Any foods containing cherries or cherry flavors may have traces of cyanide. There are plenty of other foods or fruits that your dogs can eat without any risk. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS IF YOUR DOG HAS EATEN A CHERRY?

Foods containing cyanide are; cherry pits and stalks, peach & apricot pits and apple seeds. If you’re led to believe that your dog has eaten something containing cyanide, then you will need to keep a close eye on them. Your dog may show signs of the following symptoms; 

• Increased breathing rate
• Vomiting
• Dilated pupils
• Lips increased in size and changing color
• A dog becomes incompetent and slow to respond

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOUR DOG EATS A CHERRY?

As previously mentioned, 1 or 2 cherries may not have any effect on your dog. However, all dogs are different and react in different ways; 1 cherry could be life-threatening to one dog but not another. If you think your dog has eaten a cherry, you should keep a close eye on them to see if they show any of the above symptoms. If they do, you must take them to the emergency vets as it could have serious implications. 

WHAT NUTRITIOUS FRUITS CAN YOUR DOG EAT?

Cherries may not be an option, but there are still plenty of other fruits dogs can eat. The table below shows a wide range of fruits and their nutritional information that make ideal treats for your dog. You can also view our other “Can dogs eat” blogs for more treat ideas. 

The only fruits your dog should not eat are cherries, raisins and grapes. Citrus fruits are also not recommended as they can cause your dog to have an upset stomach. 

FAQS

Can dogs eat cherry yogurt?
Not a good idea. Firstly there may be traces of cyanide from the cherries which is toxic for your dog. Also, after puppyhood, dogs find it very difficult to digest lactose foods such as yogurt. If you are feeding your dog yogurt, make sure it does not contain artificial sweeteners or xylitol as they are also toxic. 

Can dogs eat ice cream?
No. As said above, any lactose foods that a dog consumes may cause them some distress. Diarrhea and vomiting are a few symptoms that a dog may get after digesting any lactose foods. As an alternative to ice cream, you may want to consider freezing foods in ice cube trays as a treat on a hot summers day. 

Can dogs have ice cubes?
Yes, without a doubt. Ice cubes are a great treat or an ideal solution to help cool your dog down by putting them in their water bowl. Freezing toys is also a great idea to help puppies during their teething periods. 

Is cheese bad for dogs?
Cheese is, in fact, an excellent treat for dogs. As long as your dogs are not lactose intolerant cheese can be given to them. Remember, cheese can be high in fat, therefore don’t overfeed your dog and save it for that special treat. 

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Disclaimer: Each dog is different, and every circumstance is different. All efforts have been made to provide accurate information. However, it is not provided by a qualified Veterinarian, Veterinarian Surgeon, or Behaviorist. The information provided is purely educational. The information should not be used as an alternative or substitute for medical care. If you have any health or medical concerns, contact a qualified Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinarian immediately.