Better to skip them
Use caution. The flesh of a pitted cherry is not toxic, but cherry pits, stems and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds, and pits can cause intestinal blockage. Most vets recommend skipping cherries.
| Can dogs eat it? | Caution |
| Calories | About 5 kcal per pitted cherry |
| Main benefit | Pitted flesh contains antioxidants |
| Main risk | Pits, stems and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides |
| Puppies? | No |
A small amount is unlikely to cause serious harm in a healthy dog. Remove any remaining food, offer fresh water and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, a painful belly or lethargy over the next 24-48 hours. Call your vet if your dog ate a large amount, is small, young or has health problems (such as pancreatitis), or if the food contained onion, garlic, chocolate or xylitol.
These are safe for dogs in treat-size amounts:
Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.
Use caution. The flesh of a pitted cherry is not toxic, but cherry pits, stems and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds, and pits can cause intestinal blockage. Most vets recommend skipping cherries.
One pit rarely causes cyanide poisoning, but it can cause a blockage in small dogs. Call your vet and watch for vomiting, constipation or loss of appetite.
Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing and bright red gums. This is an emergency.
They have no pits but are very sugary. Avoid them.
No. Puppies are smaller and more vulnerable than adults, so it is best avoided entirely.
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This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.
Caution
Use caution. The flesh of a pitted cherry is not toxic, but cherry pits, stems and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds, and pits can cause intestinal blockage.