Can dogs or cats eat cherries?

Sweet, plump cherries – could anything be better? If you love this little fruity snack, then you might be wondering if your pets can share. The good news is that cherries themselves are not toxic to cats or dogs. However, their leaves, stalks and pits/stones could be more problematic.

We’re going to explore whether you should offer your pets cherries, including the best ways of doing this, while also answering all your frequently asked cherry questions!

Can dogs eat cherries?

Let’s start with dogs, as they're the most likely to give new things a try! The flesh of cherries is safe for dogs to eat as an occasional treat.

However, the pits, leaves and stems contain a chemical called amygdalin, which converts in the body to hydrogen cyanide. If ingested in large enough quantities, this could cause cyanide poisoning, with symptoms including:

• Changes in gum colour (may be bright red)

• Collapse

• Death

• Drooling

• Heart rhythm abnormalities

• Vomiting

• Weakness or wobbliness

So, to offer cherries to your dog safely, wash them first and remove any stems and leaves. Then chop the cherry in half to remove the pit before giving the fruit flesh to your pet.

Remember that any extras like fruit and vegetables should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. While they are a rich source of vitamins, fibre and antioxidants, too many cherries could lead to weight gain and dietary imbalances over time.

Can dogs eat cherry yoghurt?

Dogs shouldn’t be given cherry yoghurt. Many cherry yoghurts have added sugar, artificial sweeteners or flavourings. These could be harmful to your pet’s health, as well as adding extra calories to their diet. Plus, some dogs struggle to digest lactose, leading to stomach upsets.

Can dogs eat glace cherries?

While glace cherries are not toxic to dogs, they are coated in sugar syrup. This will contribute additional calories, which could lead to weight gain over time.

Can dogs eat cherries without pits?

Yes, dogs can have the flesh of cherries, provided the pits are removed. You should also take off any stems or leaves too. Just make sure not to overdo it and only offer pitted cherries as an occasional snack.

Can dogs eat cherry seeds/stones/pits?

The odd cherry stone is unlikely to cause an issue and will likely pass through the digestive tract without a problem. However, multiple cherry stones are a bad idea. Not only could they cause a blockage in your dog’s digestive system, but they could also release amygdalin if chewed or crushed.

Can dogs eat black cherry?

Black cherries are just a slightly different variety of cherry. These are fine for your dog to try, provided they are offered safely with the stone and stem removed.

Can dogs eat canned cherries?

While canned cherries won’t be toxic for dogs, they won’t be as healthy as fresh cherry flesh. Canned cherries are often preserved in concentrated fruit juice or sugar syrups. High levels of sugar can cause stomach upsets and will add calories to your pet’s diet.

Can dogs eat Cherry Bakewell?

Any processed or baked cherry snacks are not recommended for dogs. These will contain high levels of fat and sugar. If your dog regularly eats food like Cherry Bakewell, then they will be at risk of gaining weight over time, which contributes to diseases like diabetes.

Can dogs eat dried cherries?

We would suggest care with this one. Dried cherries are not toxic for dogs, but they are often found in dried fruit mixes alongside raisins and sultanas, which can be dangerous. It’s also very easy to accidentally feed your pet too much dried fruit compared to fresh, due to its smaller volume. Dried fruit will also be a very concentrated source of calories and sugar.

Can dogs eat wild cherries?

The flesh of many varieties of wild cherries will be fine to eat, but some can be toxic. So it may be best to give this one a skip.

Can a dog eat cherry pie?

Just the same as Cherry Bakewells, cherry pie is also not recommended for dogs due to its high fat and sugar content.