Can dogs eat cherries?

Updated 18/04/2024

Cherries have pride of place in the world of 'people food' - from age-old cherry tart recipes handed down the generations to their spot on the health food scene as a so-called superfood. And as such a healthy snack for us humans, you might have wondered whether you can share their tart richness with your favorite furry friend. So, can dogs eat cherries or are cherries bad for dogs? Well lucky for your pup, cherries are safe for dogs if shared in moderation and with the leaves, stem and pits removed - these contain cyanide which is toxic to both dogs and humans. For more on the best way to serve up this (rather extravagant, we must say) treat to your pooch, take a look below.  

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Are cherries poisonous to dogs?

Now to the most important question - can dogs eat cherries safely, or can they be toxic to dogs if served up in the wrong way? Well the fruit itself doesn't contain any toxic compounds for dogs, but you should always be cautious when feeding your dog new foods, monitoring their behavior afterwards just in case something doesn't agree with their stomachs. The pits, leaves and stems however are poisonous to dogs (and their humans) because they contain cyanide - more on this below.

Cherry pit poisoning in dogs

The cherry pit (as well as the leaves and stem) contain cyanide, which is a toxic substance and makes cherry pits, leaves, and stems poisonous to dogs. That's why it's always important to only serve the cherry flesh itself, without any additional parts, otherwise, your poor pooch could experience some or all of the following symptoms of cyanide poisoning in dogs.

• Reduced or loss of appetite
• Breathing difficulties
• Excessive panting
• Drooling
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Tremors
• Convulsion
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Collapse

If you know your pup has snacked on cherries and you haven’t removed the stone, leaves, or stem, you should get your dog to the vet as a matter of urgency.

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Are cherries good for dogs?

So can dogs eat cherries and get any of the health benefits that we humans can, are they just a tasty treat, or are cherries bad for dogs? Well without the leaves, stem, and pit, cherries can provide some beneficial nutrients for our canine companions. We'll list the nutrients that have awarded cherries their superfood status below, but it's worth mentioning that despite this, fruits like cherries should never be fed in large quantities. In fact, too many and they could get an upset stomach. Instead, consider cherries as the occasional treat for your pup. The majority of what you feed your pooch should be a diet of dog food that's been specially formulated for your pup's age and any health issues they might have. If your pup is on a prescription diet, they shouldn't be touching any so-called 'human' foods.  

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Health benefits of eating cherries for dogs

So as we've mentioned, there are a range of nutrients in cherries that are great for us humans and can benefit our canine companions in small amounts - find a list of these below.

• Fiber.
• Vitamins A, B6 and C.
• Calcium.
• Iron.
• Magnesium.
• Potassium.

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Feeding your dog cherries

So, now we’ve settled the question - can dogs eat cherries - you might be wondering about the best way to feed the fruit to your pup. Well firstly, let's talk portion sizes. Cherries certainly aren't an essential part of your dog's diet, so there's no need for them to have any more than a taste. The number of cherries your pooch can have before being ill however, depends on your dog's size, breed and age. For more specific advice on that side of feeding dogs cherries, have a chat with your vet. Once you're happy with how many cherries you can treat your pup to, be sure to completely remove the pit, stem and leaves as these contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs (just like apple seeds). And of course, don't add any additional sugar or flavorings to the cherries you feed your pup - these could upset their sensitive stomachs.

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Other cherry products

Cherries can be found in a number of recipes we humans love - think cherry jam and cherry compote, plus all kinds of desserts and sweets that call for fresh, canned and even dried cherries. So, can dogs eat cherries if they're cooked into these home favorites? Well as a rule of thumb to keep your pooch safe and healthy, we're going to have to say no on this one. All the additional fat, sugar and not to mention - lactose - is a sure way to upset your dog's stomach and raise their chances of developing dog diabetes.   

Other foods that are safe for dogs

So, now we've answered the question - can dogs eat cherries - you might be curious to know the other foods dogs can eat. Start with the list below to expand your pup's culinary horizons. 

• Cheese
• Oranges
• Salmon

Meet our veterinary expert, Gemma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Gemma Cliffin BSc BVSc MRCVS. Gemma is an experienced small animal vet who combines her love of writing alongside working in practice. Since her graduation from the University of Liverpool in 2014 she has worked in a wide variety of roles including first opinion practice, as a night vet, and as a locum vet. She has also spent time working at a charity clinic in the Cook Islands which was a challenge but also immensely rewarding. She loves all aspects of veterinary work, but she especially enjoys medicine cases and diagnostic imaging. She is passionate about pain management, particularly in her more senior patients. She currently works in a first opinion small animal practice in North Yorkshire where she deals with both routine and emergency cases.