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Many fruits that pet parents like to eat, like blueberries and strawberries, make tasty and wholesome snacks for dogs, too. But are cherries good for dogs? The answer is a qualified no. If accidentally ingested, the cherry’s pit, leaves and stems pose specific dangers to dogs. If your pet consumes several whole cherries by accident, contact your veterinarian or pet poison control immediately.
No, cherries—with or without the pit—can be toxic to dogs. Cherry pits and stems contain cyanide which can be harmful to dogs. And even if the pits are removed, the flesh of the cherry can still be toxic for your pet.
If you think your dog has eaten a cherry or cherry pit, contact your vet immediately. For dogs, eating cherries can result in diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing and can even be fatal in some cases.
Can dogs have cherries? It’s not recommended. Not only are their pits a choking hazard and a potential source of gastrointestinal obstruction, but they also contain trace amounts of cyanide, as do the stems and leaves. While a single pit doesn’t contain enough cyanide to cause severe damage—so don’t panic if you dog gobbles one off the floor—the compound can be extremely dangerous or even fatal if consumed in large enough quantities.
Typical symptoms of intestinal blockage can appear within 24 hours of your dog swallowing the pit. If they accidentally ingest multiple whole cherries, your dog may exhibit signs of cyanide poisoning. Some of the more serious ones include:
Now that you know why cherries are bad for dogs, what should you do if your pup finds a way to eat them? If your canine sneaks a whole cherry behind your back, there is no need to panic. One cherry pit is generally not enough to cause cyanide poisoning. But you should look out for symptoms of intestinal obstruction, constipation and a loss of appetite. Carefully monitoring your pet’s condition can help you identify serious problems early.
Contact your veterinarian or pet poison control immediately, however, if you discover that your dog has eaten several cherries—or you notice any of the cyanide poisoning symptoms above. Communicate that you’ve seen signs of poisoning in your dog and that cherries are the likely culprit. Several approaches can be taken at home or in a vet hospital to help combat the effects of cyanide poisoning.
» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.
Considering that most dogs aren’t picky eaters, there’s a good chance your dog will love these tasty stone fruits if they get their paws on them. But cherries are not an appropriate snack or treat for dogs because the pits can be a choking hazard. They also contain trace amounts of cyanide, as do the leaves and stems. Keep cherries sealed and out of reach of pets to help reduce temptation.
While the flesh and skin of the cherry are fine for your dog. We do not recommend giving your dogs cherries since the pit, stems and leaves contain trace amounts of cyanide and can be a choking hazard.
Many of the fruits you enjoy daily can be enjoyed just as much by your canine. Fruits like apples, pears, watermelon and many others are typically OK for your pet to eat. But since fruits have a much higher sugar content than vegetables, they should be given to your dog on a less frequent basis and the seeds/pits, core and stems must always be removed first.
There are, however, many fruits you need to keep away from your pet. Citrus fruits—like lemon and grapefruit—can cause upset stomachs because of their acidity, and others like grapes and raisins are toxic and can lead to severe kidney damage.
Take a look at other articles in this series, including:
Petco’s ACE team is a passionate group of experienced pet care experts dedicated to supporting the overall health & wellness of pets. The ACE team works to develop animal care operations and standards across the organization and promote proper animal care and education for Pet Care Center partners and pet parents, while also ensuring regulatory compliance.
