Whether fresh cherries in season or preserved: cherries taste delicious. And they are not only enjoyed by humans but also by our loyal four-legged friends. What about the sweet-sour red fruit – can dogs eat cherries? The dog guide clarifies the question.
There are many foods that are toxic to dogs. However, cherries are not among them.
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Cherries
Cherries are not only tasty but also a valuable source of nutrients. They contain plenty of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B, calcium, and magnesium. These also support the health of dogs.
But there are some things to consider:
- It is particularly important not to feed the dog cherries with pits. Because cherry pits contain amygdalin, which can be converted into cyanide in the body, and this can poison the animal. Stems should also be removed.
- The animal should not eat too many cherries, as excessive consumption can lead to digestive problems, for example.
Cyanide from cherries can poison dogs
Cherry pits do not contain cyanide, as many believe, but amygdalin, which releases cyanide during digestion, and this is toxic. Especially in smaller and very young dogs, toxic doses are quickly reached.
However, it is true that cyanide is only reached in toxic doses when the pits are cracked. Humans usually don’t do this, but dogs may, especially because they have a much stronger jaw than humans and can easily bite the pits. Therefore, there is a risk that poisoning symptoms may occur even after consuming a small number of cherry pits.
If a dog swallows a cherry pit whole, there is no health risk due to cyanide, as the cherry pit is excreted undigested. However, since it is impossible to prevent the dog from cracking the pits, it is better to pit the cherries before feeding them.
Dogs are allowed to eat cherries in small quantities
As mentioned above, cherries are also healthy for dogs. In addition to vitamins and minerals, they contain fiber and secondary plant substances, so a variety of substances that benefit the health of dogs.
The quantity is crucial because too many fruits can have unpleasant or even painful consequences, such as:
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Digestive problems.
Dogs may eat a small handful of cherries a day. This should really be the absolute maximum. You can offer your dog a few cherries as a treat, preferably as a reward in a game or during training. However, a dog should never gorge itself on them!
