Generally fruits and vegetables are healthy not only for humans but also for dogs. Now, with that being said, some fruits and vegetables could cause more harm than good to your pooch and the cherry is one of them. Cherries are filled with beneficial nutrients but are also composed of three elements which are toxic for dogs. Let’s find out more shall we?
Before we get started, it’s really important to keep in mind that anytime you wish to introduce human food into your dog’s diet, you must speak to your veterinarian first. They will be able to tell you if the food is good or bad and how much you should feed your pet.
Let’s get back to our cherries, here’s everything you need to know about dogs and cherries.
Can dogs have cherries?
The short answer is no! Dogs shouldn’t eat cherries because the pits, stems and leaves contain cyanide. This is toxic to dogs and if consumed in large quantities, it can cause poisoning in dogs.
The flesh of a cherry is safe for dogs. It is packed with Vitamin A and C, fiber and antioxidants, all these nutrients that are good for dogs. However, the cherry flesh could cause an upset stomach so it’s best to avoid giving cherries to your dog.
Last but not least, cherry pits could be harmful to your dog. Not only because it contains cyanide, but also because if swallowed, it could cause an intestinal blockage which could lead to serious health issues.
What happens if a dog eats cherries? And what to do if a dog eats cherries?
If your dog eats one or two cherries, that’s ok, it shouldn’t cause him any harm. Your pooch might have a mild reaction such as an upset stomach or diarrhoea. However, it’s important to monitor your dog, even if it only had one or two cherries. Watch out for signs of intestinal blockage (symptoms may appear up to 24 hours after your dog swallowed a cherry):
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Now, if your dog has eaten a handful of cherries, then it’s really important to look out for any signs of cyanide poisoning. These symptoms are the following:
- Trouble breathing
- Excessive convulsions
- Bright red gums
- Dilated pupils
Even if your dog has swallowed one or two cherries or a handful, it would be a good idea to call your vet for precautionary measures.
How many cherries can a dog eat?
Ideally your dog shouldn’t be eating any cherries, but if your pooch eats one or two he would be fine. However, if your pet eats more than two cherries, then you should watch out for signs of either cyanide poisoning or intestinal blockage.
There are plenty of other fruits and foods which are safe for dogs and don’t come with the risks associated with cherries. Apples for example (served without the core or seed) are an excellent source of vitamins and fiber. Another great fruit to give to your dog is blueberries, they also contain a lot of antioxidants.
Just keep in mind that whatever fruit you wish to incorporate into your dog’s diet, make sure you’ve discussed this with your veterinarian first.
Are cherries without pits good for dogs?
Cherries that have had their pits removed may be a better option for your dog because as we said earlier cherries are packed with Vitamin A and C, fiber and antioxidants. However, cherries even without pits could cause an upset stomach to your dog, so it’s best to avoid giving any cherries at all.
You also have maraschino cherries, which don’t have any pits and sometimes their stems are also removed. This variety of cherries is usually served in drinks. The problem with this variety is that they are loaded with sugar, which of course isn’t good for dogs. Indeed, too much sugar can cause obesity and diabetes in the long term and gastrointestinal problems in the short term.
What fruits are bad for dogs?
There are many fruits that are bad for dogs. It’s important to keep this list in mind in case you wish to diversify your dog’s diet and treats. Here is a list of fruits you shouldn’t be giving to your dog:
What fruits can dogs have?
There are some fruits which are bad for dogs, but on the other hand, there are some fruits which are excellent for your pet’s health. Here is a list of fruits safe for your dog to eat:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Mango
- Oranges
- Raspberries
Fruits are an excellent source of many nutrients we humans and dogs need in order to be healthy. Now, not all fruits are safe for your dog and cherries are one of them. It’s best to avoid giving any cherry to your dog as it could harm him.
If you wish to introduce human food into your dog’s diet, make sure you discuss this with your veterinarian first.
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Fruits that dogs can and can't eat
