can dogs eat cherries

Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Risks, Concerns, & Tips

Can Dogs Eat Cherries? Risks, Concerns, & Tips

It is essential for you as a dog owner to have a working knowledge of the kinds of fruits and vegetables that are appropriate for your canine companion to consume. Cherries contain a high level of antioxidants and are associated with a number of health benefits. But can dogs eat cherries? Are cherries safe for dogs?

In short, no, dogs should not eat cherries. The pit, the leaves, and the stems of the cherry are all potentially toxic to dogs if they consume them by accident. In the event that your dog accidentally consumes several whole cherries, you should get in touch with a veterinarian or a pet poison control center right away.

bunch of fresh cherries

Why Are Cherries Not Safe For Dogs?

High Sugar Content

Your dog probably enjoys sweet flavors, and cherries could be one of his or her favorites. However, given that there are 18 grams of sugar in one cup of whole cherries (approximately 1 gram of sugar per cherry), fresh cherries without stems or pits should only be given as a treat on rare occasions.

Toxins

Dogs can eat cherry as long as it does not contain any stems or seeds. On the other hand, there is a trace amount of a toxin known as cyanogenic glycoside in the stems and seeds. Chewing the seeds and stems of the plant is necessary in order to break them down, which is necessary for the toxins to be released and for the plant to become toxic to dogs.

If the seeds and stems are able to make it through the digestive tract in their entirety, it is possible that the dog will not experience any adverse effects from ingesting them. I can only speculate that Daisy quickly ingested the cherries with very little chewing, which is why she did not consume a lethal dose of cyanide.

Potential Intoxication

If your dog gets loose in a cherry orchard or if you have a lot of trees in your yard, you could be in for a big surprise. A dog that eats rotting, fermenting fruit that it finds on the ground may experience intoxication from the alcohol. In spite of the fact that it may sound funny, alcohol is dangerous for dogs.

cute dog looking for food

Are There Any Health Benefits Of Cherries For Dogs?

Cherries are a good source of vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin for dogs because it contributes to maintaining the health of all parts of their body, including their fur, their nerves, and their eyes. Cherries also contain a high concentration of antioxidants, which helps to maintain the health of their cells and provides anti-inflammatory properties.

They also contain fiber, which will help your dog maintain regular bowel movements and a healthy digestive tract. However, due to the cherry's diminutive size, your dog will need to consume a significant quantity of them in order to reap the many health benefits. And by that time, they've probably already consumed far too many to be of any particular benefit to them.

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Cherries

If you turn your back for a second and your dog manages to get his paws on a whole cherry, you shouldn't freak out. There is not enough cyanide in a single cherry pit to cause poisoning. However, you should be on the lookout for symptoms of intestinal blockage, such as nausea and vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation, and a reduction in the amount of feces produced.

Your dog may not show any of these symptoms for up to twenty-four hours after ingesting a cherry pit. Keep in mind that smaller dogs have a greater risk of suffering intestinal blockages from a small pit because of their smaller size. If your dog consumes a large number of cherries, you should be on the lookout for signs of cyanide poisoning. These include shallow or labored breathing, gums that are bright red, and pupils that are dilated.

In the event that you discover your dog has consumed multiple cherries without the pits, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian as a precaution. It's possible that your veterinarian will conclude that the most effective way to prevent cyanide poisoning is to make your dog throw up.

bowl of cherries on a table

Review: Can Dogs Eat Cherries?

When it comes to cherries, the flesh shouldn't be given to our four-legged friends without exercising extreme caution because of the possibility that it could be toxic to them. And the primary reason for this is that cherries present an inherent risk to our animals because the pits, stems, and leaves of cherries all have cyanide in them.

Cherry-flavored foods are typically loaded with artificial flavors, chemicals, and sugar, so pet owners should exercise caution before giving them to their canine companions. Cherry-flavored drinks and treats should also be avoided. In point of fact, even foods that are naturally flavored with real cherries will frequently have quite a bit of sugar added to them. This is because sugar brings out the natural cherry flavor.

Cherries have been linked to a variety of potential health benefits, including the regulation of blood sugar levels, the reduction of hypertension, and even the alleviation of pain; however, a dog would have to consume quite a lot of cherries in order to experience these benefits; at that point, the potential dangers more than make up for the potential rewards. Before giving your dog cherries or any other food meant for humans, you should always make sure to get the all-clear from your dog's doctor first.

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