Can dogs eat cherries? What do you want to know?

 

Content

• Dogs can eat cherries
• Cherry Nutrition Facts
• Benefits of eating cherries for dogs
• Disadvantages of dogs eating cherries
• Cherry pits and stems are potentially dangerous
• Intestinal obstruction
• Cyanide poisoning
• Cherry foods to avoid feeding your dog
• Cherries and Dogs
• Final Thoughts

We're guessing you've landed on this article for one of two reasons: either your dog has scarfed down a few cherries, or you want to add fresh food to their diet. Either way, you want to learn if your dog can eat cherries. And the good news is, your baby can safely enjoy the fleshy parts of cherries.

But keep in mind—only the flesh of cherries is edible for dogs. They cannot eat the stems or pits of this wonderful little fruit. Read on to learn how to safely feed your dog cherries.

Dogs can eat cherries

The cherry fruit itself is perfectly fine for your dogs. This fruit contains many valuable vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

If you feed your cherries raw, be sure to remove the pits and stems as these parts contain a certain level of toxicity that can give your dog an upset stomach.

Cherry Nutrition Facts

Nutrients per serving:

• Calories: 97
• Protein: 2 g
• Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugars: 20 g
• Vitamins and minerals.
• Vitamin B6.
• Vitamin C
• Potassium.
• Magnesium

Benefits of eating cherries for dogs

When dogs eat cherries, it can give them antioxidants and other nutrients that benefit their bodies. Along with a dose of fiber, cherries will help digest and increase your dog's good gut bacteria.

Cherries also have excellent anti-inflammatory properties to keep all of your dog's tissues, muscles and cartilage in tip-top shape. It is even hypothesized that cherries regulate the body's sleep-wake cycle because they contain the right amount of melatonin.

Disadvantages of dogs eating cherries

Although this little red fruit has a lot to offer, you have to be careful. Cherries are high in sugar. Dogs are attracted to sweet foods, so you need to be careful not to give your dog too many sweet treats.

Cherries can also cause gastrointestinal upset and discomfort in large amounts. If your dog eats too much, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, or general discomfort.

Cherry pits and stems are potentially dangerous

Like many other fruits, cherry pits and stems can cause problems for your dog. If you plan to serve them a sweet cherry snack, make sure you remove any pits or greens.

Intestinal obstruction

If your dog eats too many cherries, the pits can build up in their intestines, causing an intestinal obstruction. If the blockage is severe enough, it may require surgery (which can be very expensive).

Cyanide poisoning

Cherry pits contain a compound called amygdalin. When the pit is chewed and crushed, the body converts amygdalin into cyanide. Although a single cherry pit will not cause much damage, many pits together can cause poisoning.

If you know your dog has eaten cherries with pits or stems, take them to your veterinarian right away, even if they aren't showing any symptoms.

Cherry foods to avoid feeding your dog

If you want to give your dog cherries, it's best to feed them natural, organic fruit.

Try to avoid foods such as:

• Cherry pie
• Cherry ice cream
• Cherry candies
• Cherry pastry
• Chocolate covered cherries

Not only are human foods bad for us to eat, they can also contain other harmful ingredients that you may not even suspect. Better to avoid these foods altogether and stick to the real thing.

Cherries and Dogs: Final Thoughts

So, now you know cherries are perfectly safe for your dog to allow with their stems and pits removed. It is best if you give your dog cooked cherry flesh in digestible portions.

Try to avoid sweet human treats for your dog that are cherry flavored. Most of these products contain artificial sweeteners and other harmful ingredients that you may not even know about. As always, moderation is key—so don't let your dog in the wa