My cat ate Cherry – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. The main concern is the cherry pit, because it can contain cyanide.

What to do now

What to do right now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
Note what, how much and when.
Bring the packaging.
Keep your cat calm.
Remove what is left.

Don't

Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Cherry trees and shrubs contain cyanogenic glycosides.^[1] All parts other than the ripe pulp around the seeds are considered toxic and contain cyanide.^[1] The main concern is the pit, or seed.^[1]

Signs to watch for

Death
Difficulty breathing
Dilated pupils
Shock

Where it is found

Cherry trees and shrubs

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

How much Cherry is dangerous?

The main concern is the pit, or seed; all parts other than the ripe pulp around the seeds are considered toxic.^[1]

What signs should I watch for?

Reported signs include death, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils and shock.

How soon should I act?

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now.

Sources

Pet Poison Helpline

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

The same page for dogs →