Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Cherries? No — The Pits Contain Cyanide
No, cherries are not recommended for dogs, because the pits, stems and leaves contain cyanide-releasing compounds that can poison them, and the pits can also cause a blockage. If your dog has eaten cherries with pits, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply. The soft red flesh is not the problem, but separating it safely is so fiddly that skipping cherries is the sensible choice.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read2 sources
Why cherries are dangerous for dogs
The ASPCA lists the cherry plant as toxic to dogs. Its stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that release cyanide when the plant material is chewed and digested. Cyanide stops cells from using oxygen properly, which is why the signs of poisoning center on breathing and gum color.
The AKC adds a second problem: the pit itself. A cherry stone is hard and about the size of a small marble, and even one can lodge in the gut of a small dog. So a bowl of whole cherries carries two risks at once, poisoning and obstruction.
How much risk one cherry carries
A single cherry swallowed whole is unlikely to poison a dog, according to the AKC. The risk rises with how many were eaten, whether the pits were crushed and how small the dog is. A Chihuahua that chewed through a handful of cherries is in a very different position from a Labrador that swallowed one.
Because you rarely know exactly how many were eaten, the safe rule is to treat any pit-and-all cherry feast as a reason to phone for advice. There is no safe number of pits to aim for, and nothing a dog gains from cherries is worth that uncertainty.
What to do if your dog ate cherries
Stay calm and work out what was eaten: how many cherries, whether pits and stems went down, and when. Then call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home unless you are told to.
Your vet may decide to induce vomiting if the cherries were eaten recently, or may ask you to watch closely at home. Keep the packaging or a photo of what was left in the bowl. That helps them judge the amount quickly.
If you like to share small snacks, a lick mat or a treat ball makes a little go further and slows a fast eater down.
Signs of cyanide poisoning and blockage
Signs of cyanide poisoning listed by the ASPCA and AKC include bright, brick-red gums, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting and, in severe cases, shock. These can appear within hours of eating a lot of crushed pits or stems and need emergency care straight away.
A blockage looks different and usually develops over a day or so: vomiting, losing interest in food, straining, constipation or passing very little stool. If you see any of these after your dog got into cherries, your dog needs to be seen by a vet that day.
Maraschino, dried and cherry-flavored foods
Maraschino cherries have no pits, but they are preserved in syrup and loaded with sugar, so they are not a good treat either. Cherry pie filling, cherry yogurt and cherry candy add more sugar, and some sugar-free products contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Dried cherries are usually pitted but very sweet. A dog that steals one or two is unlikely to come to harm, but check that no pits slipped through and keep the bag closed and out of reach.
Puppies and small dogs
Puppies and small breeds are the most at risk from cherries. A pit that a big dog passes without trouble can be a full obstruction in a dog under 20 lb, and their smaller body size means fewer crushed pits are needed to cause signs.
If you have a puppy and a cherry tree, rake up fallen fruit, leaves and twigs, and do not let the puppy chew on prunings. Wilting leaves are noted by the ASPCA as particularly toxic, so storm-damaged branches are a real hazard.
Safer fruit to give instead
If your dog likes sweet fruit, blueberries are the closest swap: small, soft, pit-free and ready to serve. Seedless watermelon, apple slices with the core removed and peeled banana are other options, all kept within the 10 percent treat allowance.
Other stone fruit carries the same pit problem, so treat peaches, plums and apricots with the same caution as cherries. If in doubt, leave it out and ask your vet what suits your dog.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can dogs eat cherries without pits?
The flesh of a fresh, pitted cherry is not toxic, and the AKC says small amounts are possible. Because missing a single pit or stem brings back the risk, most owners find safer fruit easier to share.
How many cherries are toxic to dogs?
There is no safe number to aim for. One swallowed cherry is unlikely to poison a dog, but risk rises with more fruit, crushed pits and a smaller dog. Call your vet or a poison line if you are unsure.
What happens if my dog eats a cherry pit?
A single pit often passes, but it can cause a blockage in small dogs. Watch for vomiting, poor appetite or straining over the next day, and call your vet if any of those appear.
Can dogs eat maraschino cherries?
They have no pits, but they are soaked in sugary syrup and offer nothing a dog needs. One stolen from a drink is unlikely to cause harm, but they should not be given as treats.
Are cherry tree leaves poisonous to dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists cherry stems, leaves and seeds as toxic because they contain cyanide-releasing compounds, and wilting leaves are especially dangerous. Keep dogs away from fallen branches and prunings.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
