Sweet, fleshy and refreshing, cherries become one of the leading fruits whenever spring arrives. Without a doubt, it is one of the most popular fruits due to its appreciated flavor and its great antioxidant power. For this reason, it is common that, with the arrival of good weather, many caregivers wonder if dogs can eat cherries or not
If this is your case, we recommend that you don't miss the following article on our site, in which we will explain what happens if a dog eats cherries.
Are cherries good for dogs?
Indeed, cherries are on the list of fruits suitable for dogs, which you can consult in this other article: "Good Fruits and Veggies for Dogs." Its nutritional value and its great antioxidant power can offer multiple he alth benefits for our dogs.
However, it is essential to take into account a series of considerations when giving this fruit to dogs, since it Otherwise, its consumption can cause serious damage to your he alth. For this reason, we recommend that you continue reading the following sections in which we will detail the form and quantity in which this fruit can be included in the diet of dogs.
Benefits of cherries for dogs
As we have already mentioned, cherries are suitable fruits for dogs and can provide various he alth benefits, among which are:
- They have a moderate caloric value compared to other fruits, so they can be included as a reward in the diet of dogs, without considerably increasing the energy content of their ration.
- They provide considerable amounts of fiber Although the digestive system of dogs is not capable of digesting fiber, it is a nutrient essential in your diet, since it creates a feeling of satiety, contributes to the maintenance of the intestinal microbiota, regulates intestinal transit and stool consistency.
- They have appreciable amounts of vitamins (vitamin C, thiamin, folate, and provitamin A), so as significant amounts of potassium and other minerals to a lesser extent, such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus and calcium.
- Contain anthocyanins, substances with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
- They provide monoterpenes, specifically, peryl alcohol, a compound with antitumor and antioxidant activity that protects the body against cellular aging caused by free radical attack.
How to give my dog cherries?
Despite the fact that cherries are good fruits for dogs, before offering them it is essential to take into account the following considerations to prevent their consumption from producing unwanted effects on the he alth of our dogs.
The pulp of cherries provides various benefits for dogs, which we have discussed in the previous section. However, the seeds, leaves and stems (stalks or “stems” that attach the cherries to the branches) contain cyanide, a toxic compound that can lead to poisoning in dogs. In addition, the seeds can cause suffocation or damage the gastrointestinal mucosaFor all these reasons, it is important to emphasize that dogs can eat cherries without seeds, but never with seeds or with the characteristic stem that accompanies them.
To safely offer cherries to dogs, the following steps must be followed:
- Wash them with plenty of water to remove possible traces of pesticides or contaminants present on their surface.
- Remove the stem and seed from each of the cherries.
- Cut them into small pieces to avoid choking.
Finally, we must point out that cherries should only be offered fresh, that is, natural. Cherries prepared in the form of jam, syrup or the like should never be fed to dogs due to their high sugar content.
Cherry Dose for Dogs
Although most dogs usually enjoy the taste of fruit, this does not mean that they should consume it every day, due to its high sugar content. Therefore, the he althiest way to include cherries and any other fruit in the dog's diet is sporadically, as a treat.
In the specific case of cherries, as a reference, you can contribute from 2 to 4 units (depending on the size of the dog), once a week.
Side effects and contraindications of cherries for dogs
As we have seen throughout the article, cherries can produce a series of negative effects on the he alth of dogs when they are not fed properly:
- Poisoning: The stems, leaves and seeds of cherries contain cyanide, a compound that produces a pattern of poisoning characterized by gasping, dyspnea, congestive mucous membranes (reddish), mydriasis (pupillary dilation) and shock. We talk more about this in this other article: "Dog Poisoning - Symptoms and First Aid".
- Asphyxia: it is produced by the seeds, or by the fruit itself when it is offered whole, without cutting it into pieces.
- Gastrointestinal ulcers: When the seeds are not removed, they can damage the gastrointestinal mucosa as they pass through the digestive system.
In addition, there are certain situations in which it can be counterproductive for dogs to eat cherries:
- Food allergies or intolerances.
- Gastrointestinal diseases.
- Dogs with a digestive system especially sensitive to changes in diet.
Finally, remember the importance of introducing any new food into your dog's diet in small quantities and monitor the possible appearance of negative effects on his he alth after consumption.
