Dogs love gulping down whatever we eat but not all foods are good for your pooch and some foods can even make your dog sick. So, can dogs eat cherries? Read on to know everything about dogs and cherries. Let us begin.
Can Dogs Have Cherries?
It is better not to feed your dog cherries. They can eat cherries but your dog may likely be more harmed than benefited by them. Their seeds are toxic to dogs.
Are Cherries Good for Dogs?
Cherries do contain some beneficial vitamins and minerals. Cherry flesh contains antioxidants like beta carotene, choline, etc.
Cherries also contain minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, etc. They are also low on calories and contains a lot of fiber. Cherries also contains vitamins a and c along with vitamin k.
The Dangers of Giving Your Dog Cherries
The major problem with cherry is the cherry pit (seeds of cherries). Along with the seeds, cherry stems and leaves are also harmful for dogs. The seeds, stems, and leaves contain cyanide, a potent toxin.
Cyanide is poisonous to humans and dogs alike. While dogs can eat unprocessed cherries in a limited amount like one or two cherries but you should be careful to remove the leaves, stems, and seeds.
If dogs consume these parts of cherry tree in large quantities, then it can cause cyanide poisoning.
Cherries may be low on calories but they contain a lot of sugar. One cherry contains around 1 gram of sugar and a cup of cherries contains 18 grams of sugars.
If your dog gobbles down cherry pits, leaves, etc. without chewing them, then they can cause intestinal obstruction. For small dogs, pits can be a choking hazard.
Cherry seeds have a hard covering and it is difficult to break it even for your dog. If your doggy tries to break them, it can cause tooth damage.
If you have a cherry garden, your dog can run to the garden and may end up consuming fermenting and rotten cherries. These rotten cherries contain alcohol. It is no brainer to know that alcohol is bad for dogs.
What Types of Cherries Are Safe for Dogs to Eat?
All types of cherries like rainier, bing, black, red, Morello cherries contain cyanide. Because of the toxin, cherries are not really safe for your dog. It is better if you avoid giving cherries to your dog.
What Happens if My Dog Eats Whole Cherries?
It is okay if accidentally your dog eats one or two cherries including the pits. However, as responsible pet parents, you need to keep an eye on your puppy for any symptoms of intestinal blockage, diarrhea, etc.
However, for smaller dogs even one cherry pit can cause an intestinal blockage and is enough to cause cyanide poisoning.
Can Dogs Eat Cherries in Different Forms?
It is better to avoid giving foods even the ones that are naturally flavored with real cherries. These cherry flavored foods have a high sugar content and most of these commercial foods contains added sugars and preservatives like xylitol.
Hence, it may cause a lot of problems to your dog’s digestive tract. Don’t give cherries in other forms like dried cherries, or cherries in syrups, etc. to your dogs.
Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning in Dogs
Symptoms depends on an individual dog’s resistance and immunity and the amount of cherries they have consumed. Eating one to two cherries with seeds may disturb the dog’s digestive tract and cause the following symptoms.
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
However, if your dog consumed multiple cherries, then the symptoms can show up as early as 15 to 20 minutes. The signs of cyanide poisoning are as follows:
- Red gums
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Dilated pupils
- Seizures and convulsions
- Collapse
- Death
In acute cases, the dog dies within 2 hours. So, it is essential to call your veterinarian immediately to get help for your pet. Your vet may then try to induce vomiting to prevent cyanide from harming your pet.
If your dog consumed whole cherries and you see no symptoms of poisoning in your dog, then keep an eye on your woofer for a day or two as the symptoms can appear up to 24 hours.
Can Dogs Have Other Fruits?
Yes, your dogs can have many fruits like blueberries, mangoes, apples, pears, pineapple, cucumbers, etc.
There are several vegetables also like carrots, eggplant, pumpkin, broccoli, sweet potato, etc. that your dog can happily have them. They all have beneficial nutrients that help your dog lead a happy and healthy life.
What About Maraschino Cherries, Which Already Have the Pits Removed?
Maraschino cherries are the cherries without pits and most of the times their stems are also removed. However, the major problem with these cherries is the content of sugar.
These cherries contain a lot of sugar and dogs like sweet things. But it is not good for them. It can cause a lot of health problems like obesity, diabetes, and other gastrointestinal issues.