Can Dogs Eat Cherries?

Dogs enjoy eating many types of fruit, but they do not always know what is best for them! Cherries are a firm favorite in many households, and you might be tempted to share these red berries with your dog. But can dogs eat cherries, or are they harmful to them?

Can dogs eat cherries?

Dogs can eat some parts of a cherry… But it is vital to exercise extreme caution when feeding cherries to dogs.

The reason for this is that many parts of a cherry contain a poisonous compound called cyanide. This is highly concentrated in the pits – or stone – of the fruits, as well as the leaves and stems.

The cherry pits can also become lodged in your dog’s digestive system, causing a serious blockage.

Cherries can only be fed to dogs if the pits, stem, and leaves have all been removed. Only fresh cherries should be fed to dogs, as canned or processed cherries may contain harmful additives or preservatives.

What are the signs of toxicity?

The symptoms of cyanide toxicity tend to occur within 24 hours of the dog eating whole cherries. These symptoms include:

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea. You may see pieces of cherry within your dog’s stool or vomit.
• Constipation or decreased fecal production, as a result of blockages caused by cherry pits
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Dehydration

What to do if my dog ate cherries?

If your dog ate some whole cherries, you should seek veterinary advice. Dogs react to cyanide toxicity very differently – even a small number of cherries could be enough to make a dog sick.

In all probability, just one or two cherries would not pose a risk to the health of your dog, but this is not a risk worth taking. Your local veterinarian will be able to tell you if any medical treatment is required, or they may simply advise you to monitor your dog for signs of cyanide toxicity.

Do not be tempted to induce vomiting if your dog ate whole cherries, as you could do more harm than good. If this is necessary, your veterinarian will carry out this procedure in the safest way possible.

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