Can Cats Eat Cherries?

Cats can have a tiny amount of plain cherry flesh only, with the pit, stem, and leaves completely removed. 

Avoid maraschino cherries, dried cherries, and cherry pie filling, which often contain added sugar that makes them riskier than a small bite of plain cherry. 

Not really. While a tiny piece of plain cherry flesh is unlikely to hurt most healthy cats, cherries don’t offer much nutritional value that cats actually need. 

Cherry flesh does contain water and some vitamins and minerals, but cats are obligate carnivores, which means they do best when they get most of their nutrition from meat-based foods—not fruit. A complete and balanced cat food already provides nutrients in a form that makes much more sense for a cat’s body. 

Some parts of a cherry can be bad for cats. They can also run into issues if they eat too much.  

Here are a few things to watch out for: 

• Pits, stems, and leaves: These parts of the cherry contain compounds that can release cyanide when chewed or digested, which can be dangerous for cats. The pit can also be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed. 
• Too much sugar: Cherries are naturally high in sugar, which makes them a poor choice for cats with diabetes or cats who need tighter blood sugar control. Even for healthy cats, sugary snacks can add extra calories they don’t need. 
• Too much fruit at once: Eating too many cherries at once can overwhelm a cat’s digestive system and may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or an upset stomach. 

For most healthy adult cats, one very small piece of plain cherry is plenty if you want to let them try a taste.  

All treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily diet, so cherries should stay a very occasional snack rather than a regular habit. 

If your cat has diabetes, obesity, or a sensitive stomach, it’s best to skip cherries altogether. 

If you decide to share a little cherry with your cat, follow these tips to keep them safe: 

• Give them fresh, clean cherry flesh only. 
• Remove the pit, stem, and leaves completely. 
• Cut the flesh into very small pieces. 
• Skip dried, sweetened, or dessert-style cherries. 

If your cat snagged a cherry off the counter, try not to panic. In many cases, eating a small amount of cherry is unlikely to cause a major problem. The bigger concern is whether your cat chewed on or swallowed the pit, stem, or leaves. 

Call your veterinarian if: 

• Your cat chewed on or swallowed a pit. 
• Your cat ate stems or leaves. 
• Your cat got into a large number of cherries. 
• Your cat seems weak or uncomfortable. 
• Your cat is gagging or pawing at their mouth. 

Otherwise, watch for signs such as: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Low appetite 
• Belly discomfort 

If these symptoms don’t resolve within 24 hours, it’s worth a call to your vet. You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) if your cat ate cherry pits, stems, or leaves or you can’t reach your veterinarian right away. They’ll tell you what you should do next. 

Are cherries safe for cats? 

Only partly. A tiny amount of plain cherry flesh likely won’t harm your cat, but the pit, stem, and leaves can be dangerous because they contain compounds that may release cyanide when chewed or swallowed. 

Can cats eat cherry pits? 

No, cats shouldn’t eat cherry pits. Cherry pits can become a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage, and they also contain compounds that can release cyanide if chewed or broken open. 

Can cats eat maraschino cherries? 

No, cats shouldn’t eat maraschino cherries. These bright red cherries are heavily processed and packed with added sugar, which can upset a cat’s stomach. 

Can kittens eat cherries? 

No, kittens shouldn’t eat cherries. Kittens should get all of their nutrition from a complete kitten food until they’re at least a year old.