Can cats eat cherries?

Updated 12/05/2023

Famed for their antioxidant qualities and pedestalled as super foods of the human world, can other animals enjoy the decadent red fruits? More specifically, can cats eat cherries? Well it turns out that lots of the food us humans enjoy (and reap the benefits from), are really unsafe for our feline friends. Let’s find out if we can say the same for cherries.

Are cherries poisonous to cats?

The simple answer is yes, cherries are toxic to cats. While the flesh of a ripe cherry wouldn’t do your kitty any harm, the pit and other parts of the cherry plant, such as the leaves and the stalk, are toxic to cats, so it’s just not worth the risk in our books. Afterall, you can never be completely sure that the cherry flesh is ripe enough, and that no fragments of other parts of the cherry (like the stem, leaves and any cherry blossoms) are present.

So, why are cherries toxic to cats? Well cherries contain an element called cyanide. If ingested by your cat, it can cause cells in your cat's body to stop taking in oxygen successfully. In some severe cases, the result of ingesting a cherry can be fatal. If you’re worried your cat has eaten a cherry and may be having a reaction, here are the symptoms to look out for:

• Breathing problems
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Muscle spasms 
• Dilation of pupils
• Shock
• Collapse

What to do if your cat eats cherries

If you suspect your cat has eaten cherries, it’s worth a trip to the vets so that the level of cherry poisoning can be gauged. If possible, take a sample from the cherries that your kitty was nibbling on for reference at the vets. Your kitty’s vet will then be able to carry out various tests to see whether they’ve been poisoned. The following appropriate steps will then be decided by your vet.

Can cats eat cherries without seeds?

Granted, the pit of a cherry is incredibly toxic to cats, but so are other parts of the cherry including the stem and leaves. While you may attempt to remove the stem, there’s no guarantee that it’s all completely gone. Plus, only the flesh of ripe cherries are safe for cats, and who’s to say when the cherry is ripe enough to not poison your kitty? It’s just not worth the risk!

Can cats eat black cherries?

No, all cherries should be avoided at all costs for your feline friends. And remember, even though the flesh of a ripe cherry isn’t toxic to cats, it’s best to avoid the fruit altogether.

Can cats eat cherry jam?

No, your cat shouldn’t be eating cherry jam. Potential cherry poisoning aside, jam is full of sugar and other ingredients that may be unsafe for our feline friends. Stick to feeding your cat good-quality cat food for peace of mind and a healthy cat.

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

Other foods that aren’t safe for cats

So, there are in fact a number of our favorite foods that we shouldn’t be feeding to our felines. What are the others? Check out our blog on what cats can and can’t eat.

• Raisins and grapes 
• Chocolate
• Garlic
• Onions 
• Tomatoes
• Ice cream
• Citrus fruits
• Raw meat, fish and eggs
• Milk and dairy products