Are Cherries Bad for Dogs & Puppies to Have?
Are you a dog lover, or do you own a dog? Or perhaps you are a newbie in dog care. If you belong in any of these categories, you must have realized how difficult it is to find the right supplement for your dog.
In this article, you will learn information about cherries as a food supplement for your dog. Find out more below.
Many dog owners and caregivers love to spice up their dog’s diet. Just like humans, dogs too can get tired of eating a monotonous meal at all times. Thus, there is a need to feed them supplements as special treats.
Supplements are of many types; they are mostly fruits such as watermelon, peaches, apples, and lots more. However, it is important to note that not all these fruits are good for your dog to consume.
Even the fruits that are safe for your dog’s consumption (e.g., watermelon) must be served moderately and properly. They must be thoroughly washed with their stems and pits removed. They must also be served in moderate quantity.
Are Cherries Safe for Dogs?
Now, let’s talk about cherries. The general question on every dog owner’s mind is whether dogs can eat cherries as a food supplement just like others (peaches, watermelon, etc.).
The answer is NO; dogs should not eat cherries. However, some dogs may have consumed cherries in the past and still felt fine afterward.
Many fruits, such as peaches, watermelon, etc., are safe and healthy for dog consumption, but cherries, on the other hand, do more harm than good, although they contain some helpful nutrients.
Avoid serving your dog cherries; they are not worth the risk. Instead, you can opt for several other available human foods that are safe for dogs. These foods or fruits are far better choices than cherries.
Like any other human food or fruit you wish to use as a supplement, you must first consult your vet before feeding your dog the food.
Below are the basic things you need to know about cherries and your dog.
Why are Cherries Not Safe for Dogs?
Cherry leaves, stems, and pits contain cyanide, leading to poisoning for your dog if your dog consumes it in large quantities. This is because cyanide is naturally toxic.
The amount of cyanide contained in 1 or 2 cherries might probably not do severe damage to your dog. Still, it would be best if you did not risk poisoning your dog when you have plenty of alternative fruits that you can feed the dogs.
These alternative fruits will give your dog the same health benefit as it will when they eat cherries.
The pits of cherries can also cause your dog problems. Issues like intestinal obstruction may occur. Intestinal obstruction is a serious health issue that can result in severe complications.
Whenever you feed your dog cherries, you risk causing them intestinal obstruction, among other health issues. Even when your dog does not eat the cherry pits, the fruit itself can cause gastrointestinal upset for them.
How About Other Types of Cherries?
There are many other types and sources of cherry that are quite different from the regular ones. So people also ask if these other cherry types are safe for their dog’s consumption.
Here is what you should know about these other cherry types. These other types of cherries include; cherry-flavored foods, cherries without pits, and Maraschino cherries.
Maraschino cherries do not have pits; they are often seen in drinks. Sometimes their stems are also detached. The primary issue is that these cherries contain much sugar, which is not ideal for dogs.
Excess sugar can lead to gastrointestinal issues in the short term and obesity or diabetes in the long term.
In contrast, cherries whose stems and pits have been removed may be a good choice for dogs. This is because cherries are naturally loaded with melatonin, antioxidants, fiber, vitamin A and C, and many other beneficial nutrients.
There are many other food and fruits that have lesser risks than those associated with cherries. These food and fruits do not also require you to remove their pits.
An example of such fruit is apple served without seeds or core but still contains vitamins and fiber. Another example is Blueberries, which contain lots of antioxidants.
The fruits mentioned above contain sugar and can cause stomach upset for dogs, so they should not be served in large quantities. Such fruits are also not for every dog, but they are safer than cherries, and they have greater health advantages as long as they are served moderately and properly.
It is crucial that you consult your veterinarian before serving your dog these fruits and foods.
Similarly, cherry-flavored foods contain plenty of sugar, chemicals, and artificial flavoring that are not ideal for dogs. Also, foods that are flavored with typical cherries are usually quite sugary.
The best thing is to maintain real foods that are considered safe for dogs and whose ingredients you are familiar with. You can consult your vet or a nutritionist for advice on which fruits and foods are healthy and safe for your dog.
What to Do When Your Dog Eat Cherry
As we stated earlier, if your dog eats one or two cherries, it may not cause much damage. It is important that you watch out for cyanide poisoning symptoms because cherries pose a higher risk of poisoning when your dog consumes them.
Signs of cyanide poisoning in dogs are:
- Dilated pupils
- Bright red gums
- It can make your dog go into shock in severe cases
- Difficulty breathing
Besides, your dog may also be down with diarrhea or stomach upset even if they are not poisoned. Consult your veterinarian immediately you notice any of these signs.
When your dog eats one or two cherries, the greater concern is that the cherry pits can cause gastrointestinal obstruction. Signs of gastrointestinal obstruction include vomiting, decreased appetite, and constipation.
You must watch out for these signs for a minimum of twenty-four hours after your dog has consumed cherries. Once you notice a symptom of gastrointestinal blockage, call your vet immediately.
