Can Dogs Eat Cherry Pie? Any Risks or Benefits?

Cherries are fruits known to be very healthy when eaten fresh and by themselves. But most people also like to add them in recipes as fillings for pies or as the finishing touch on ice creams or cakes.  They look great in most desserts and I’m sure that most dogs would want a bite of the cherry pie.

Unfortunately, cherries aren’t one of those fruits that are safe for your furry companion. Although they might come with some minerals and vitamins that would be very beneficial to your dog’s general health, they also contain some substances that could do a lot more harm than good.

So can dogs eat cherry pie?

Well, technically, dogs can eat cherry pie. A cherry’s flesh is overall safe for your furry pall to ingest. The issues arise from the stems and stones of the cherries, which contain cyanide. This substance is lethal to dogs, especially when ingested in higher quantities. Another issue will come from the pits, which can get stuck in the intestinal tract.

Due to their smaller tract, smaller breeds and puppies are under a higher risk, due to them having a considerably smaller GI tract. This means that as long as the cherries are cleaned properly before being added to a recipe, they pose little to no threat to the dog’s health.

You might also like my articles on whether dogs can eat bacon bits, nopales, or mandarin oranges.

That being said, cherry pie is a treat that contains a lot of sugar, which can lead to a spike in your dog’s blood sugar levels. This means that in time, regular consumption of cherry pie can cause diabetes.

Does cherry pie contain xylitol?

As a general rule, a normal cherry pie shouldn’t contain xylitol. Sometimes, people might add it when making the well-known ‘paleo’ cherry pie or some other type of pie that contains this ingredient. If you know that a cherry pie contains xylitol, then you shouldn’t give it to your dog, not even in small quantities, as this substance can make the animal very sick and can even prove to be fatal.

Can dogs die from cherry pie?

Unfortunately, yes, dogs can die from cherry pie. Too much cherry pie over time can lead to pancreatitis which in extreme cases can cause organ failure. This will lead most of the time to the death of the animal.

Can dogs eat pie cherries?

Yes, you can feed your dog with small quantities of pie cherries, because the skin is edible, but it is always better to feed it with fresh, properly cleaned cherries.

Is cherry pie filling bad for dogs?

The cherry pie filling isn’t bad for your dog as long as it is made without the use of xylitol. However, remember that it contains considerable amounts of sugar, which in time, can cause the dog’s blood sugar levels to spike which ultimately turns into diabetes.

What can I feed my dog instead of cherry pie?

Instead of a piece of cherry pie, you can treat your dog with sugar-free cherry jam or either a small piece of bread or a plain biscuit. If the dog loves the taste of cherries, you can clean a few and give them fresh.

Here are some other treats that your dog might love, which are safe:

• Peas
• Green beans
• Baby carrots, cooked or raw
• Asparagus
• Cottage cheese
• Peanut butter on a piece of bread or a plain biscuit

Summary

According to some studies (and general knowledge), dogs are among the most popular pets around the world.

With all these dog enthusiasts, it’s clear why there are a lot of people online asking questions about their pets and what to feed them with. There are a lot of foods that might work for humans but not for dogs, just like how there are foods that can be eaten by dogs that humans might struggle with.

When it comes to cherry pie, you can in fact give your dog small quantities of this dessert occasionally, as a treat. Just keep in mind that sugar is bad for your pet and if the pie isn’t home-cooked, then also check the label for ingredients, to make sure there’s nothing that would put your pet’s health in danger.