Vibrant, luscious, and flavorful! Who doesn’t want to gulp a bowl full of cherries? But can dogs eat cherries too? Are cherries safe for dogs?
As pet parents, it becomes very difficult to stop our hands when our furry companions curiously ask for a human food treat. Certainly, no one can avoid those cute little snouts.
But we should be very cautious while offering foods to our dogs that are meant for humans. Fruits are usually a healthy treat for dogs but not all of them.
As far as cherries are concerned, they can be dangerous for dogs. In this article, I will tell you why?
Can Dogs Have Cherries? Why Cherries Are Not Safe for Dogs?
Cherries are not safe for dogs to consume. Cherries can risk a dog’s life. The foremost thing to know is that cherry pits, stems, and leaves have cyanide which can be lethal if a dog consumed a good amount of it.
Moreover, cherry pits can get stuck in your dog’s throat or may clog the digestive and intestinal tract.
1) How Can You Feed Cherries To Your Dog?
Cherries contain Vitamin A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. If you want your pooch to get some benefit from cherries, let me tell you that the red soft flesh of cherry is safe for dogs to eat but it can cause an upset stomach.
Whenever you think about giving your dog a cherry, make sure that the pit is removed and there is no leaf or stem. To keep your doggy healthy, it’s better to refrain from feeding him cherries. You don’t want to risk your dog’s life. Right?
2) What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Whole Cherry Accidentally?
Did you forget washed cherries on the countertop in hurry and your dog has swallowed a couple of them?
Well, don’t get panic. One or two cherry pits won’t cause cyanide poisoning. However, you have to monitor your dog afterward for any symptoms of vomiting or digestive tract clogging.
Your dog might lose his appetite due to intestinal blockage and constipation. Small dogs are more likely to get intestinal obstruction. The symptoms may appear within the next 24-36 hours so, observe your pooch carefully.
If your dog ate an ample number of cherries, you must watch your dog for symptoms of cyanide poisoning which may show up within 15-20 minutes.
3) Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning in Dogs:
- Suffocation or difficulty in breathing
- Bright red gums showing oxygen deficiency released in cells
- Dilated pupils
- Paralysis
It is recommended to call your Vet immediately if you observe such behavior because cyanide toxicity can be deadly within minutes. A vet can help you with the best possible solution like inducing vomiting to prevent poisoning.
4) Can Dogs Eat Maraschino Cherries?
Are you are thinking of feeding your dog maraschino cherries because they already have pits removed?
Though maraschino cherries do not have any pits they are sweetened with a huge amount of sugar. Sugar is actually a sweet poison itself. A lot of sugar consumption affects humans and dogs equally.
Dogs can get overweight too. Also, it can damage their teeth and can cause diabetes. So, it’s not a good idea to consider maraschino cherries for your furry companion.
5) Can Dogs Eat Cherry Yogurt?
Although yogurt is not toxic to dogs their stomachs are unable to digest lactose after puppyhood. So, yogurt with a high lactose content might disturb your dog’s stomach. It can cause gas, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In addition, flavored yogurts like cherry yogurt contain xylitol or artificial sweeteners which are toxic for dogs.
6) Can Dogs Eat Dried Cherries?
Always keep in mind that only flesh of fresh cherries is safe for dogs. Any other kind of cherries like dried or syrup-soaked are not safe or healthy for your dog.
Instead of benefitting your dog, you might risk your dog’s health. Canned or dried cherries contain lots of sugar and preservatives which are quite unhealthy.
Safe Alternatives for Dogs to eat Instead of Cherries?
We see dogs are intrigued by human food. Whenever their owners eat, they show up demanding treats. So, there are enough fruits, berries, and vegetables that you can feed him often as a treat.
All you need to be careful about is to wash and peel them properly and remove any kind of seeds. Also, make sure to cut them bite-sized. Some safe fruits, berries, and vegetables to offer your pooch are:
Fruits:
- Mangoes
- Apples
- Bananas
- Cantaloupes
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Guavas
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Watermelon
- Cucumbers
Berries:
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Vegetables:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Green beans
- Peas
- Okra
Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Bottom Line:
Cherries contain essential nutrients and even if the flesh is safe for dogs to eat, they can cause stomach upset in dogs. While if a dog eats cherries without your supervision, it may consume pits, stems, leaves which contain cyanide.
Cyanide can be lethal to dogs in minutes after consumption. You need to call your vet immediately if you observe any severe symptoms. However, one or two cherries won’t cause cyanide poisoning.
Make sure to opt for healthy and safe alternatives instead of cherries. Cherries in all forms are not a good choice for your dog. Make good decisions, we all want our furry friends to be healthy!
