Normally, fruits are a healthy snack for dogs, but choosing the right fruit is important. Because not all fruits are healthy for dogs. Especially, with cherries, dogs can eat cherries but, there are some dangers that you need to be aware of.
Even though previously, your dog has eaten a cherry or two and felt comfortable afterward, it is still advised not to have eaten. There are many fruits that are healthy and safe for dogs. Although cherries contain some beneficial nutrients, they are more harmful than good. Therefore, aren’t worth the risks. There are plenty of foods that are good for dogs and make for better choices than cherries.
These fruits do contain sugar and may upset some dogs’ stomachs, so they aren’t for every dog and shouldn’t be given in large quantities. But they are safer options than cherries and can have great health benefits when served to dogs properly. You must consult your vet before giving your dog these foods.
Is It Safe to Feed Dogs Cherries?
Dogs can eat Cherries but, the problem of feeding cherries to dogs is that their pits, stems and seeds. Which contain a low concentration of toxins called cyanogenic glycoside, which is cyanide in other words. Cyanide is poisonous and dangerous if consumed in large quantities. Cherry pits can also get lodged in a dog’s digestive tract and cause intestinal blockages. There are plenty of other fruits and berries which your dog can eat without the risks discussed before.
Health Benefits of Eating Cherries
Cherries have some potential benefits, therefore, dogs can eat Cherries, which help reduce hypertension and even pain relief. They also help control blood sugar. A dog will need to consume quite a few cherries in order to reap these benefits. You could feed your dog a fresh cherry, unfortunately, you’d have to remove the pit, stem and any leaves first. That’s really a lot of work, considering your dog won’t eat enough to see any benefits from this fruit. And if it does that’s when the risk far outweighs the benefit. And, of course, consult your vet to get their advice before offering cherries to your pooch.
What to do if Your Dog Ate Cherries or Cherry Pits?
If your dog ate whole cherry or pits when you’re not around, don’t panic. A single cherry pit will not cause cyanide poisoning. But if your dog ate few cherries, look out for symptoms of intestinal blockage, including vomiting, constipation, decreased appetite and decreased fecal production.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning in dogs include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bright red gums
- Dilated pupils
- In serious cases, dogs can go into shock
These symptoms may persist for 24 hours after your dog eat a cherry pit. Puppies are more likely to suffer intestinal blockages from the small cherry pits. it’s a good idea to call your vet immediately, in case of emergency. Your vet may try to induce vomiting to prevent cyanide poisoning.
Can Dogs Eat Cherries Without Pits? What About Maraschinos Cherries?
Maraschino cherries already have their pits removed. But, maraschinos are not a good choice to treat dogs, as they contain a lot of sugar. Sugar is not good for dogs, excess sugar can lead to diabetes, obesity, digestive upset and even cavities. Generally, it is a good idea not to offer any canned product to your dog, especially fruits, which contain a lot of sugar.
The flesh of the Cherries or de-pitted Cherries and Cherries with their stems removed may be a better option for dogs. Cherries contain vitamin A and C, fiber, antioxidants, melatonin, and other beneficial nutrients.
There are a lot of other fruits and foods available, which do not come with the risks that are offered by cherries. In fact, they do not require you to go through the hassle of removing the pits. For instance, it is better to serve apples without the core or seeds, which also have fiber and vitamins. Blueberries contain a lot of antioxidants.
Can dogs eat cherry Yogurt, Ice cream or Blackwell Tart?
Cherry flavored foods or any flavored foods are basically full of artificial flavoring, chemicals, and sugar. They are not good for dogs. Even foods that are naturally flavored with real cherries are often quite sugary.
It’s always the best idea to go for real foods than artificial ones. Provide food that has ingredients that you’re familiar with and is known to be safe for canines. Consult a nutritionist or your vet for further advice on which foods are safe and healthy for your dog.
Finally, Dogs can eat unprocessed cherries, but you must be extremely cautious when preparing them. Always keep cherries that have not been de-pitted well out of reach. Find out more information about what dogs can eat.
Credit: Photos by Alexander Mils and Thomas Vogel Unsplash.
