Certain fruits are healthy and tasty for dogs. But not all fruits are suitable for dogs, and some of them might even be poisonous! Pet owners should exercise extreme caution and always dutifully research if a certain fruit is safe for their pet to consume or risk serious health consequences. If you are here, you ask yourself if you can feed your dog cherries. This red fruit may attract the attention of your furry friend. So, are cherries safe for dogs?
Are Cherries Safe For Dogs?
Does this fruit come to your mind if you eat cherries frequently and wonder if you can share them with your small friend? Or perhaps you have cherries in the garden and are afraid that your pet will eat a few fruits directly from the tree? We will clear all your doubts at once. Cherries are good and safe fruit for humans. But can dogs eat cherries?
Yes, dogs can eat cherries. That’s good news. There are no toxins in the cherry flesh that can be dangerous to our dogs. So cherries can offer your dog an occasional small snack. However, cherries carry a certain risk. Not all parts of the cherry fruit are safe for dogs, especially the stones. Cherry seeds have hard stones that can choke a dog. Besides, the seeds, foliage, branches, and other portions of the tree include toxic materials. They have cyanide that, even in small amounts, can pose a threat to dogs. If you have cherry trees in your garden, prevent your dogs from nibbling off them!
How to Feed a Dog Cherries?
For your dog to safely appreciate the delectable taste of cherries, there are certain steps you can follow. First, rinse cherries with water and remove toxic plant parts. Take the leaves, twigs, and stones from the cherries. Your dog can enjoy fresh cherries with soft flesh. In moderation, cherries actually offer your dog some beneficial nutrients (like fiber and vitamins).
Take caution, though — dogs can eat cherries, but plant products should be only a very small part of the healthy diet of dogs. If a dog is given more fruit, it can lead to digestive issues. Also, because fruit is high in sugar, dogs with diabetes should not eat fruit.
Be careful, too, of processed cherries. These cherries in cherry jam, ice cream, or other products will not harm your dog. However, the other ingredients included in such products, such as sugars or sweeteners, may not be desirable. Be sure to check that the product doesn’t contain xylitol if your pooch gets its paws on your cherry treat. This artificial sweetener is especially dangerous for dogs.
It is also worth considering allergies. Dogs can be allergic to plants, including cherries. In such cases, it triggers a variety of symptoms, like breathing difficulties after eating cherries. You will know this from the heavy, audible breath/cough. In dogs, this symptom of allergic reactions also appears in the form of a skin rash. Then, the owners see their dog scratching too much. Of course, if you see any abnormal symptomatology in your furry after eating cherries, go to the vet.
Summary
Dogs can eat cherries. These plump fruits are free from harmful substances. On the other hand, toxins exist in cherry stones and in other parts of the cherry plant. So we have to make sure that canines do not ingest whole cherries from the tree. This also presents a choking hazard. In addition, fruits should only make up a small portion of dogs’ diets. If you’re unsure about something, we recommend you ask your vet. A specialist will help you create the most beneficial diet for your pooch.
Source
- Jirayu Tanprasertsuk, Devon E. Tate, Justin Shmalberg (2021). Roles of plant‐based ingredients and phytonutrients in canine nutrition and health.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9291198/
