Can dogs eat cherries? And cats?
The flesh is safe, but pits are a cyanide source and a blockage risk. Pitted only.
Pitted flesh in tiny amounts only; the plant and pits are toxic.
Cherry flesh is safe, but everything around it is not: pits, stems and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds, and pits are exactly the size that blocks a small intestine. A dog that raids a bowl of whole cherries deserves a vet call. If you share, share a pitted cherry or two, not a handful.
Signs to watch for
- Many chewed pits: red gums, labored breathing
- Swallowed pits: blockage in small pets
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control people-foods guidance, Merck Veterinary Manual, Pet Poison Helpline. Verdicts are conservative by design: where evidence is thin we choose the stricter rating.
This is general educational information, not veterinary advice. When in doubt about your own pet, ask your veterinarian.
If your pet just ate something risky, act now: call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (consultation fees may apply).