Can dogs eat cherries? Only the flesh, and only a little. Fresh cherry fruit isn’t toxic, but the pits, stems and leaves contain cyanide-forming compounds, and a swallowed pit can block a small dog’s gut. Because pitting every cherry is fiddly, many vets suggest choosing an easier fruit. If you do share, here’s how to do it safely and what to do if your dog gets into a bowl.
Moderation, pitted only. A few fresh cherries with the pit, stem and leaves removed are safe for most dogs. Never give whole cherries, maraschino cherries, cherry pie filling or cherries in syrup. One sweet cherry has about 5 calories and 1 gram of sugar.
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Can Dogs Eat Cherries Safely?
The flesh is. It’s mostly water and offers a little fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. Everything else on the plant is the issue. The ASPCA lists the cherry plant as toxic to dogs because its stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release cyanide when chewed. PetMD agrees that fresh cherries are fine once those parts are carefully removed.
Which Parts of a Cherry Are Dangerous?
| Part | Risk | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Flesh | Low; natural sugar | Share a few pieces |
| Pit (stone) | Cyanide compounds when chewed; blockage or choking when swallowed | Always remove |
| Stem and leaves | Cyanide compounds | Always remove |
| Fallen fruit from a tree | Pits, mold, fermentation | Rake up regularly |
One accidentally swallowed pit rarely releases enough cyanide to poison a large dog, because a whole pit tends to pass without being crushed. The bigger worry with one pit is a blockage in a small dog. Repeated pits, or pits that get chewed, raise the poisoning risk.
Fresh, Maraschino, Dried and Other Cherries
- Fresh sweet or sour cherries, pitted: fine in small amounts.
- Maraschino cherries: avoid; soaked in sugar syrup and dyes. Store-bought ones are usually pitted, so one stolen cherry is a sugar issue, not a poisoning.
- Dried cherries: concentrated sugar; skip, and check trail mixes for raisins.
- Cherry pie, jam, ice cream, yogurt: sugar, fat and sometimes xylitol; see xylitol poisoning in dogs.
- Cherry tomatoes: not a cherry at all; see can dogs eat tomatoes.
Cherry Nutrition vs Other Fruits
| Fruit (100 g) | Calories | Sugar | Prep effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet cherries | 63 | ~13 g | High: pit and stem every one |
| Blueberries | 57 | ~10 g | Low: rinse and serve |
| Strawberries | 32 | ~5 g | Low: hull and slice |
| Watermelon | 30 | ~6 g | Medium: remove rind and seeds |
Values rounded from USDA FoodData Central. Cherries carry more sugar per bite than most berries, another reason to keep the portion small.
How Many Cherries Can a Dog Eat?
Keep cherries well inside the treat allowance the WSAVA recommends:
| Dog’s weight | Pitted cherries (max) | Approx. calories | Natural sugar |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 1 to 2, quartered | ~5-10 kcal | ~1-2 g |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | 3 | ~15 kcal | ~3 g |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | 5 | ~25 kcal | ~5 g |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | 6 to 7 | ~30-35 kcal | ~6-7 g |
| 100 lb (45 kg) | 8 to 10 | ~40-50 kcal | ~8-10 g |
Our estimates from USDA FoodData Central values for sweet cherries (about 8 g each). Start with one; too many can cause diarrhea.
How to Prepare Cherries for a Dog
- Wash and pull off every stem and leaf.
- Pit with a cherry pitter or knife, and check each one.
- Quarter for small dogs; halve for bigger dogs.
- Bin the pits in a lidded trash can your dog can’t open.
Not in the mood to pit? Blueberries and strawberries give the same berry-sized fun with no pits at all.
My dog ate cherries with pits. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, especially for small dogs or several pits. Don’t induce vomiting unless told to. Watch over the next few days for vomiting, constipation, straining, a painful belly or loss of appetite, which suggest a blockage, and for brick-red gums, dilated pupils, panting or trouble breathing, which point to cyanide poisoning and need emergency care.
Puppies and Special Cases
- Puppies and toy breeds: the blockage risk is highest; choose a pit-free fruit.
- Diabetes: ask your vet; cherries are sugary.
- Cherry trees: fence off fallen fruit and pruned branches.
- Sensitive stomach: cherries can loosen stool; skip them during an upset.
My dog ate a whole cherry, pit and all. One pit often passes in a larger dog, but watch for vomiting, belly pain or trouble breathing. For a small dog or several pits, call your vet right away.
What about maraschino cherries? Skip them. They are packed with sugar and give your dog nothing useful.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Cherries for Dogs: Quick Serving Guide
✓ Do
- Remove every pit
- Take off stems and leaves
- Cut the flesh into small pieces
- Share only a few
✕ Don't
- Give whole cherries with pits
- Share maraschino cherries
- Offer cherry pie or jam
- Let your dog near a cherry tree
Call your vet if your dog ate pits and shows vomiting, belly pain or trouble breathing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat cherries every day?
It’s better not to. Their sugar adds up, and daily pitting raises the chance a pit slips through. A few as an occasional treat is plenty.
Can dogs eat frozen cherries?
Yes, if they were pitted before freezing. Halve them so they aren’t a choking hazard, and serve a couple on a hot day.
Can dogs have cherries without the pit?
Yes, a few pitted fresh cherries with stems and leaves removed are safe for most dogs.
How many cherry pits are toxic to a dog?
There’s no safe number to rely on. Chewed pits release more cyanide, and even one whole pit can block a small dog. Call your vet if any were eaten.
Can dogs eat maraschino cherries?
Not a good idea. They’re loaded with sugar and dye, though one stolen cherry usually isn’t an emergency.
Are cherries good for dogs with kidney disease?
Ask your vet. Cherries add potassium and sugar, which may matter for some kidney diets.
Wondering about other foods? Our A-Z guide to what dogs can eat sorts them into safe, moderation and avoid.
The Bottom Line
Can dogs eat cherries? A few fresh, pitted cherries are fine, but pits, stems and leaves are not, and processed cherry products are best skipped. When in doubt, pick a pit-free berry. Browse more fruit answers in our Can Dogs Eat…? library, check the foods that are toxic to dogs, or start with Start Here. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- ASPCA — View source
- PetMD — Can dogs eat cherries
- WSAVA — WSAVA guidetotreats dogs 251107
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central