Can Dogs Eat Cherries? What Every Dog Owner Should Know
The Risks of Cherries for Dogs
Cherries might look like a tempting treat for your dog, but they come with some serious risks. The most dangerous parts are the pit, stems, and leaves. These contain cyanide compounds that are toxic to dogs if eaten. Swallowing a pit can also cause choking or blockages in the intestines—especially for smaller breeds.
Even though the cherry flesh itself isn't toxic and does have some nutritional value (like vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and low calories), it's rarely worth the risk. The chance of poisoning or digestive upset makes cherries a snack that needs extra caution.
If You Still Want to Share Cherries
If you're determined to let your dog try cherries, you have to be meticulous. Remove every single pit, as well as all stems and leaves. Never offer whole or poorly prepared cherries. Eating the wrong part can lead to:
- Intestinal obstruction (vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, abdominal pain)
- Choking
- Cyanide poisoning (difficulty breathing, bright red gums, dilated pupils, drooling, collapse)
Cyanide toxicity can develop quickly—sometimes within minutes or hours—especially if your dog chews up the pits.
What About Maraschino and Processed Cherries?
You might think maraschino cherries are safe since they're pit-free. Not so fast! They're loaded with sugar and preservatives that aren't good for dogs. These can cause stomach upset now and obesity or diabetes down the road. The same goes for canned or processed cherry products—skip them entirely.
If Your Dog Eats a Cherry by Accident
If your dog swallows a cherry with the pit still inside it, don't panic right away. For large dogs, one pit is unlikely to cause cyanide poisoning—but small dogs are at higher risk of both blockages and toxicity. Watch closely for any signs of trouble:
- Vomiting or constipation
- Painful abdomen or loss of appetite
- Trouble breathing or bright red gums
- Lethargy or collapse
If you see any symptoms—or if your dog ate several cherries—contact your vet immediately. Be ready to tell them how much was eaten and when.
Safer Fruit Alternatives for Dogs
If you're looking for healthy treats without all these risks, try these instead:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries (remove tops)
- Apple slices (no seeds)
- Watermelon (no rind or seeds)
- Bananas
- Pumpkin
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Cucumbers
No matter which fruit you pick, always remove any seeds, rinds, or stems first. Treats—even healthy ones—shouldn't make up more than 10% of your dog's daily calories.
The Right Way to Prepare Cherries (If You Must)
- Select fresh or frozen cherries with no added sugar or preservatives.
- Wash thoroughly.
- Remove all stems, leaves, and especially every pit.
- Chop into small pieces to reduce choking risk.
The recommended safe serving sizes for cherry flesh (de-pitted and de-stemmed) are:
- Extra-small dogs (2–10 lbs): up to one cherry 2–3 times per week.
- Small dogs (11–20 lbs): up to two cherries.
- Medium dogs (21–50 lbs): up to three cherries.
- Large dogs (51–90 lbs): up to four cherries.
- Extra-large dogs (>90 lbs): up to five cherries.
If Your Dog Has a Bad Reaction
Your dog might show signs of intolerance within four to twenty-four hours after eating cherries: vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, pain, loss of appetite, or lethargy. If this happens—stop giving cherries right away and call your vet.
Avoiding Accidents With Cherries at Home
The best way to keep your dog safe is prevention:
- Store all cherries out of reach.
- Tell family members not to feed cherries (or anything containing them) to your dog.
- If you have a cherry tree in your yard—clean up fallen fruit promptly so your pup can't sneak any bites outside.
The Bottom Line on Dogs and Cherries
You shouldn't feed whole cherries to dogs because of serious risks from pits and plant parts. If you're set on sharing this fruit with your pet—only do so after diligent preparation, in tiny amounts—and only occasionally. There are plenty of safer fruits that make better snacks for your furry friend!
