While they’re a delicacy for humans to enjoy, they could be unsafe for your cats. While the flesh of the cherries itself isn’t harmful, it's the other parts; like the stem and seeds that can cause health hazards for your feline companions.
Can Cats Eat Cherries?
Cherries are one of the most praised superfoods for humans. But can our furry friends enjoy them too? Sadly, the short answer is no. But here is a list of fruits that a cat can have.
5 Health Benefits of Cherries For Cats
While cherries are harmful to your cat, they contain a few nutrients that are important for your cat’s diet. Let's go through the benefits of these nutrients.
Vitamin A: A vitamin is known to improve vision, promote healthier skin, and aid in growth as well. Besides it also helps your cat maintain healthy gums and teeth.
Vitamin C: If your cats fall ill quite often, you should add more vitamin C to their diet. Vitamin C is known to strengthen the immune system and prevent any infections.
Vitamin K: This vitamin helps the cat’s body clot blood regularly and normally which is helpful for older cats.
Potassium: An important electrolyte, potassium maintains the good health of muscles and organs. This aids the older cats that are losing electrolytes due to frequent vomiting.
Choline: One of the most important nutrients for your cat, choline deficiency affects your body’s ability to send signals between the neurons. Choline deficiency can cause death.
Now that there are so many obvious benefits of nutrients from cherries for cats, why shouldn’t cats have them?
While cherries contain nutrients that are healthy for a cat, the risks outweigh the benefits. Feeding cherries to your cat is a health risk. All these listed nutrients can be given to your cat with different foods or supplements. Taking a risk with cherries is just not worth it.
Risk Of Feeding Cherries to Cats
One of the most common and dangerous concerns with feeding cherries to cats is cyanide poisoning. All parts of a cherry except the skin contain cyanide, and cats are at the highest risk of being fatally ill by consuming it.
Symptoms To Look Out For:
Heavy breathing
Dilated pupils
Confusion
Cyanide attacks the ability to breathe normally making it extremely dangerous for your cat. If you notice any of these symptoms, speak to your vet right away.
If you suspect your cat has eaten one or two cherries, monitor them closely, but there is no need to panic. If your cat has eaten a lot of cherries, consult a doctor immediately.
While poisoning is a concern, there are other potential risks too such as choking hazards, and bowel discomfort.
Can Cats Eat Only Cherry?
While the pit of the cherry is dangerous for the cats, you cannot guarantee the rest of the parts aren’t toxic. Only completely fresh and ripe cherries can be fed to cats, but unfortunately, there is no way to know if the cherries you bought from the store are ripe enough to be safe for them.
Can Your Cat Eat Black Cherries?
No, you should avoid feeding your cat any kind of cherry. While the flesh isn’t toxic, it is best to refrain from letting your cat eat cherries.
Can Your Cat Eat Cherry Jam?
Besides the fact that cherries aren’t healthy for your cats, cherry jam is loaded with artificial flavours and lots of sugar which is a big no-no when it comes to cats. If you feel like feeding some jam to your cats, you should stick to purees that are made for pets, or more specifically for cats.
Conclusion
The answer to the question ‘Can cats eat cherries’ is an absolute no and every cat parent should be advised to protect their furry friends from any preventable health hazards. But if you do see signs of cherry poisoning such as heavy breathing, pupil dilating, etc., you should rush your cat to the vet. Depending on the severity of the situation, your vet may take a few blood samples and run a few tests.
When it comes to cherries and cats, it's best to avoid them at all costs. You can always treat them to animal-based proteins and cat treats that are specially made for them. Something they will thoroughly enjoy and likely not feel sick from.
*Jan 2019 to Aug 2024 administrator claims data.
Ward, Hayley. "Can cats eat cherries?" Trusted Housesitters, 05 Dec. 2023, https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/pets/can-cats-eat-cherries/.
Billingsley, Brooke. “Can Cats Eat Cherries? Vet-Reviewed Risks & Precautions,” Catster, 5 Sept. 2024, www.catster.com/nutrition/can-cats-eat-cherries/.
Woodnutt, Joanna. “Can Cats Eat Cherries?” Cats.com, 12 Apr. 2023, cats.com/can-cats-eat-cherries.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
