Can dogs eat cherries?
No — cherries are not recommended for dogs. The pit, stem, and leaves contain cyanide compounds, and the pit is a major choking and obstruction risk. The flesh itself is also high in sugar.
Fruits · 50 kcal per 100 g
Benefits and risks
Benefits
- Cherry flesh contains some vitamins A and C
- Provides antioxidants and melatonin
- Low in calories at 50 kcal per 100 g
Risks
- Pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides (cyanide)
- Cyanide poisoning causes dilated pupils, panting, red gums, shock
- Pits are a serious choking and intestinal blockage hazard
- Cherry flesh is high in sugar and offers no unique benefit
- Maraschino cherries are loaded with sugar and dye
⚠ Toxic threshold
Cyanide toxicity can occur from chewing or crushing as few as 2-3 pits, depending on dog size. Symptoms appear within 15-30 minutes and include difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, bright red gums, and shock. This is a veterinary emergency.
Recommended serving size
Adjust portions based on your dog's weight, age, and activity level. Treats and snacks should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
| Dog size | Weight range | Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Small dog | Under 20 lbs (9 kg) | Avoid entirely |
| Medium dog | 20–50 lbs (9–23 kg) | Avoid entirely |
| Large dog | Over 50 lbs (23 kg) | Avoid entirely |
How to prepare and serve
Preparation
Don't feed cherries to dogs. If you absolutely must offer one as a rare treat, remove the pit, stem, and leaves completely and offer only a single piece of flesh — but blueberries or watermelon are far safer options.
Frequency
Avoid — there's no nutritional reason to feed cherries.
Key nutrients
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Melatonin
- Antioxidants
Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately. The level of risk depends on your dog's size and how many pits were chewed versus swallowed whole. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning appear within 15-30 minutes and include difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, bright red gums, and weakness. Even without cyanide poisoning, the pits can cause an intestinal blockage that requires surgery. Don't wait for symptoms — call your vet right away with the number of cherries eaten and your dog's weight.
- Pitted cherry flesh removes the cyanide and obstruction risks, but the flesh is still high in sugar and offers no unique nutritional benefit you couldn't get from a much safer fruit like blueberries. Most veterinarians recommend avoiding cherries entirely because the risk-to-benefit ratio is poor. If you really want to share, offer one tiny piece of pitted flesh as a one-off — but build your dog's fruit habit around safer options like watermelon, apple slices, or strawberries.
- Maraschino cherries are an especially bad choice. They're soaked in sugar syrup, dyed with artificial coloring, and often contain preservatives — sometimes even alcohol in the syrup. Even though the pits are removed, the sugar load alone can cause GI upset, weight gain, and dental damage. The artificial dyes and preservatives offer zero benefit. Keep maraschino cherries (and the cocktails they come in) far away from your dog. There are no upsides and several real downsides.
Related fruits
Apples
SafeCrunchy, fibrous treat that helps clean teeth — just remove the core and seeds first.
Apricots
UnsafePit, leaves, and stem contain cyanide compounds — best avoided despite the safe flesh.
Bananas
SafeSweet, soft, easy-to-digest treat — excellent natural source of potassium but high in sugar.
Blackberries
SafeLow-sugar antioxidant powerhouse — like raspberries, contains trace xylitol but is safe in moderation.
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