Are cherry, plum and apricot trees poisonous to pets?
Call a vet todayCherry, plum & apricot trees are poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of them. The pits contain cyanide compounds, and stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide.
- Dogs Call a vet today
- Cats Call a vet today
What to do right now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
- Note which plant, which part, how much and when.
- Take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.
- Remove what is left and move the plant out of reach.
Don't
- Do not make the pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
- Do not give any human medicine.
Why it can be dangerous
The pits contain cyanide compounds, which are poisonous, and stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide.[1] The pits are more poisonous if they are ground up or crushed, or if the seeds are chewed.[1]
Signs to watch for
- Scientific name
- Prunus
- Poisonous parts
- leaves, seeds, stems, flowers, fruits, bark
What the experts say
“Problems: Frequent Disease Problems, Frequent Insect Problems, Messy, Poisonous to Humans, Problem for Cats, Problem for Children, Problem for Dogs, Problem for Horses, Short-lived”
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
Are cherry, plum and apricot trees dangerous for cats too?
The source lists Prunus as a problem for cats as well as dogs.[1]
Which parts of the plant are poisonous?
The source identifies pits, stems, leaves and seeds as poisonous or containing cyanide.[1]
Are the pits especially concerning?
The pits contain cyanide compounds and are more poisonous if they are ground up or crushed, or if the seeds are chewed.[1]
Sources
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