Can dogs eat cherries?
When the trees are full of those delicious red cherries again in summer, your dog will look at you with big puppy eyes, because he would also love to nibble on some of those sweet fruits. But can dogs eat cherries? The answer is: Yes, BUT...
How to feed cherries to your dog properly
Cherries are generally edible for dogs. Just like for you, the red flesh is rich in vitamins and minerals. Cherries are high in vitamin B and C, magnesium, calcium and folic acid. All these ingredients support your four-legged friend's healthy diet and make cherries a delicious and healthy snack for him. Nevertheless, cherries should of course only be fed in moderation, not in excess, as otherwise they can cause stomach aches.
It is important, however, that you (just like with watermelon) remove the pits beforehand. Simply giving your dog cherries and hoping the pits will just pass through is unfortunately not a good idea. Likewise, make sure he doesn't pick up any or too many cherries from the ground.
The reason: excessive consumption of (chewed) cherry pits can be toxic and cause severe poisoning symptoms in your dog. This is because cherry pits contain a very high amount of hydrocyanic acid, which is poisonous for both humans and animals. So always feed cherries without pits and ideally also without stems and leaves!
Get informed beforehand: Some fruits are a healthy snack for your four-legged friend, while other foods are toxic!
My dog ate cherries off the ground – what now?
Is your dog a real vacuum cleaner and everything on the ground has to be inhaled? If your four-legged friend eats a few cherries including pits from the ground, it's usually not a big deal at first. Depending on how many cherries (and pits) he ate and whether he actually chewed them, the pits won't become toxic right away. The cherry pits only release the dangerous hydrocyanic acid when they are chewed.
So if your dog has swallowed the cherry pits whole, then watch his stool. If the pits come out whole again, you usually don't need to worry about it. He might also get constipation. If your dog has a bit of a tummy ache and/or wants to stimulate digestion, he may also eat more grass.
If you are unsure, it's better to treat your dog to a delicious and healthy snack made especially for dogs.
Indulge your pet in a healthy and delicious way – with our snacks
Symptoms of hydrocyanic acid poisoning
If your dog is acting strange or shows the following symptoms, you should go to the vet quickly!
Dog is drooling and vomiting
Breathing is labored
Mucous membranes are reddened and have a bluish tint
Dog's breath smells like bitter almonds
Dog's pupils are dilated
As always: If you are unsure, go straight to a vet. Sometimes a call to the vet is enough.
