Can Cats Eat Cherries? - Learn More

​As a cat owner, you must look after your cat, especially what they eat. One of the questions you might be wondering as a responsible pet parent is, can cats eat cherries. You might be eating some cherries and noticed your kitty taking an interest and thought to yourself, is it safe to share. Since humans enjoy eating cherries, shouldn't cats too? I am here to answer this question, so let's dive right into this topic.  

Can Cats Eat Cherries?

​The direct response to your question is, "Yes, cats can eat cherries." There are a few precautions and things you should be aware of, such as the seeds, stems, blossoms, and leaves are dangerous to consume in specific amounts. However, the flesh or meaty part of the cherries is entirely safe for your cat to eat.    

If you read other articles on this topic, you may find them asserting that cats can't eat cherries, that you need to seek medical attention right away, and that your cat is in danger of being poisoned. I would take most of that advice with a grain of salt.      
I don't think most people are sitting around with a plate full of cherries, blossoms, or leaves snacking away. Also, it's unlikely people are sticking the whole cherry in their mouth with the stem and seed and chewing away.

Typically, people remove the stem and seed, or in some cases, they spit the seed out before consuming the cherries. I would think that most individuals that are kind enough to share this snack with their cat would take the same care for their pet and remove the stem and pit.  
But, as I get older, the more I learn that anything is possible, so let's go over a few of the dangers associated with giving cherries to your cat.

​What Makes Cherries Toxic for cats?

​Although the flesh of ripe cherries is not harmful to cats, other parts of the fruit are; the cherry pit, the stems, the blossoms, and the leaves. The fact is that cherries contain amygdalin (cyanide) which is dangerous for humans, much less your cat.

A cat that has consumed a large amount of cherry plant material or small amounts of crushed pits will start to show severe signs of being poisoned. Here are some of the symptoms of cherry poisoning that you should be aware of as a cat owner:

•                     Dilating pupils
•                     Going into shock
•                     Having trouble breathing
•                     Bright red mucous membranes
•                     Death

Note:
If your cat swallows the whole pit, it's unlikely its digestive system will break it down, and the pit should pass through its system. The bad news is that the cat's track is small, and the pit could become a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.  

​What do You need to do if a cat eats a Cherry?

​If your cat eats a cherry plant or the pits, you must take them to the vet immediately along with the sample of what they eat to ensure an accurate diagnosis. If your cat may be suffering from cherry poisoning, the vet will have to take a blood sample for testing. In addition, your cat might need to use an intravenous drip or supplementary oxygen to manage the symptoms.

It would be best to never leave cherry plants or cherries around for your kitty to eat. However, if your cat has accidentally snuck a bite, you will have to take action to avoid any consequences.

​Conclusion

​There is no justification why your cat can't eat cherries. Just remove the stems and pits, and don't leave the cherries sitting out. Also, as a reminder, you should follow the general rule that snacks should not exceed 10 percent of a cat's daily calorie intake. You shold make sure your cat is getting their nutritional needs.