Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Risks, Safety, and Health Effects Explained

Protect your pup from hidden toxins by choosing healthier, pet-friendly treats.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 8, 2025

Protect your pup from hidden toxins by choosing healthier, pet-friendly treats.

Can Dogs Eat Cherries? What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Cherries are a beloved fruit among humans, celebrated for their vibrant color and sweet flavor. If you share your home with a canine companion, you may wonder: Can dogs eat cherries? The answer is nuanced. While the flesh of cherries is not outright toxic, cherry pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides, chemicals that can convert to cyanideâa substance highly poisonous to dogs. This article delves into the risks, symptoms of toxicity, safe feeding tips, and alternatives, ensuring youâre informed before offering cherries to your pet.

Are Cherries Safe for Dogs?

Cherries are not an ideal or recommended treat for dogs. The flesh itself, when separated from pits, stems, and leaves, is not highly toxic, but the hazards associated with other parts make cherries a risky choice overall.

Letâs break down the primary dangers:

Cyanide Poisoning: Cherry pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds. When chewed and ingested, these can release cyanide, swiftly interfering with oxygen absorption and causing poisoning symptoms. The severity depends on how much was eaten and the size of the dog.
Choking and Intestinal Blockage: Cherry pits are a choking risk, especially for small dogs. If swallowed whole, they can get lodged in the throat or block the digestive tract, potentially requiring emergency intervention.
Digestive Upset: Even pitted cherries contain high sugar content. Consumption of multiple cherries may result in gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, diarrhea), blood sugar spikes, and complications for diabetic or overweight dogs.

How Many Cherries Are Toxic to Dogs?

The level of toxicity depends on your dogâs size, the number of cherries consumed, and whether the dog chewed or swallowed the pits, stems, or leaves.

A single cherry pit is unlikely to cause cyanide poisoning but can create a blockage in small dogs.
Multiple pits or chewed stems/leaves dramatically increase the risk of cyanide poisoning.
The smaller the dog, the fewer pits it takes to pose a serious risk.

Why Are Cherries Bad for Dogs?

Despite their vitamin and antioxidant content, cherries pose several risks for dogs. Hereâs what makes cherries hazardous:

Pits, Stems, and Leaves: Cyanogenic glycosides break down into cyanide, a rapidly acting poison. Dogs exposed to significant quantities may experience life-threatening symptoms.
Pit Obstruction: Pits can lodge in the gastrointestinal tract, blocking digestion and causing pain, vomiting, and constipation.
High Sugar Content: Cherries are naturally sugary and can cause GI upset or dangerously spike blood sugar in sensitive dogsâespecially those with diabetes.

Cherry Component	Toxic Risk	Additional Hazard
Flesh	Low (if pit/stem/leaf removed)	Sugar may irritate stomach
Pit	High (cyanide risk)	Choking/blockage risk
Stem/Leaf	High (cyanide risk)	Nausea, poisoning
Maraschino Cherry	Low (no pit)	Excess sugar, preservatives

Symptoms of Cherry Toxicity in Dogs

If your dog has eaten cherry pits, stems, or leaves, know the signs of cyanide poisoning. Immediate veterinary attention can be life-saving.

Labored or rapid breathing
Dilated pupils
Bright red gums
Excessive drooling
Loss of coordination
Vomiting or diarrhea
Weakness or confusion
Seizures

For intestinal blockage (from swallowed pits), symptoms can include:

Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Constipation or decreased fecal output
Abdominal pain
Lethargy

Signs may appear within 15 to 30 minutes if pits or stems were chewed, but some symptoms (blockage) may take up to 24 hours or longer.

If you observe these symptoms and suspect cherry ingestion, contact your veterinarian immediately.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Cherries?

Quick action is vital if you suspect your dog has consumed inappropriate cherry parts.

Stay Calm: A single pit is unlikely to cause cyanide poisoning but can cause digestive blockage.
Assess the Situation: Determine if your dog ate stems, leaves, or chewed multiple pits.
Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for heart rate changes, drooling, red gums, or vomiting.
Contact Your Vet: If you notice any symptoms above, or your dog is small and swallowed a whole pit.
Do Not Try to Induce Vomiting Without Veterinary Guidance: Some methods can be dangerous.

Emergency Advice

If your dog appears sick after eating cherries, call your veterinarian or a 24-hour emergency clinic. Early action can prevent severe illness or death.

Are Maraschino Cherries Safe for Dogs?

Maraschino cherries, often found on desserts and drinks, are pit-free but still not recommended for dogs.

They contain excessive amounts of sugar.
Often include artificial colors and preservatives.
Sugar and artificial ingredients can lead to obesity, diabetes, and stomach upset.

For these reasons, skip maraschino cherries as a treat.

Are There Any Benefits to Feeding Cherries to Dogs?

Cherries contain vitamins (such as vitamin A and C) and antioxidants, which are beneficial to humans. For dogs, however, the risks with cherries far outweigh these nutritional positives

If looking for fruit-based treats:

Offer safe fruits such as blueberries, apples (without seeds), or bananas (peeled).
Ensure all fruits are cut into bite-sized pieces and seeds are removed.

Safer Alternatives to Cherries for Dogs

Want to give your dog a healthy, fruity snack? Try these safe alternatives:

Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants, safe and tiny.
Apple Slices: Remove seeds firstâthey contain cyanide too!
Banana: High in potassium, soft texture, easy to digest.
Watermelon: Seedless and peeled. Hydrating and low-calorie.
Strawberry: Small, low-sugar, and easy to handle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can one cherry pit hurt my dog?

A single cherry pit rarely results in cyanide poisoning but may cause choking or gastrointestinal blockageâespecially in small breeds.

What should I do if my dog eats cherry leaves or stems?

Monitor for poisoning symptoms and contact your vet immediately. Cyanide toxicity can develop quickly if enough is consumed.

What are the symptoms of cherry poisoning in dogs?

Look for rapid/difficult breathing, bright red gums, drooling, vomiting, seizures, lack of coordination, and loss of appetite.

Are all cherries equally risky?

Wild cherries and cultivated cherries both contain cyanogenic compounds in pits, stems, and leaves. Commercial varieties may have less, but the risk remains.

Are dried cherries safe?

Dried cherries may be pit-free but can contain high sugar, preservatives, and artificial coloring. Not advised as treats.

Final Advice on Dogs and Cherries

Keep all cherry-containing foods (including pies and jams) out of reach to prevent accidental exposure.
Educate family members not to share cherries with dogs.
Remember: If in doubt, contact your veterinarian for safe snack alternatives.

Summary Table: Dangers of Cherries for Dogs

Cherry Component	Toxicity	Health Hazard	Recommended?
Fresh Cherry Flesh	Low	Sugar/gut upset (in excess)	No
Pits	High (cyanide)	Blockage/choking/cyanide	No
Leaves & Stems	High (cyanide)	Cyanide poisoning	No
Maraschino Cherry	Low toxicity	Excess sugar/additives	No
Dried Cherry	Low toxicity (pit-free)	Sugar/preservative risk	No

References

American Kennel Club (AKC): Can Dogs Have Cherries?
DansPetCare: Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Risks, Symptoms & Safe Feeding
Hide and Scent Pets: Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Safety, Benefits & Risks Explained
Purina.com: Can Dogs Eat Cherries?
Garden State Veterinary Specialists: Are Cherries Bad for Dogs?

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb