Can Cats Eat Cherries? Everything you need to know
Cats can eat cherries, but only if they’re fresh. Pick them up in the season and store them in the freezer for a month or two for cats to enjoy all year long.
You may have heard that cats cannot eat cherries because of a toxic chemical called amygdalin. Many people also believe that cats can eat cherry pits, but this is not true either.
- Can Your Cat Eat Cherries?
- Health Benefits of Cherries For Cats
- Health Concerns Of Cherries for Cats
- Should You Get Your Cat To Eat Cherries?
- Are Cherry Cat Treat Recipes Safe?
- What is Cherry Poisoning?
- Symptoms of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
- Causes of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
- Diagnosis of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
- Treatment of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
- Recovery of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
- Can Cats Eat Cherries: Tips on Feeding
- Can cats eat cherries without seeds?
- How many cherries can a cat have in a day?
- Can cats eat cherry stems?
- Can cats eat cherry pie filling?
- Better Choices for Fruits and Vegetables
- Can cats have cherry yogurt?
- Can cats have cherries without the pit?
- Can cats eat maraschino cherries?
- Are sweet cherries toxic to cats?
- Are glace cherries toxic to cats?
- Related articles on cats eating Graham crackers.
Can Your Cat Eat Cherries?
Cats can eat cherries, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Cherries and other cherry foods have health benefits for cats.
Cherries are rich in melatonin, which can help with stress relief and skin diseases.
Health Benefits of Cherries For Cats
Can cats eat cherries? Yes, they can, and here are some reasons why:
Cherries are high in important vitamins like vitamins A, C, and K.
Vitamin A helps maintain healthy vision, bone growth, and reproductive function, as well as promotes healthy skin.
Vitamin C promotes a healthy and strong immune system, which helps cats fight off infections.
Potassium is an important electrolyte that helps the muscles and organs function properly. It’s especially vital for senior cats or cats who have been sick, losing electrolytes through vomiting or diarrhea.
Magnesium helps with bone-building and the operation of enzymes, which affect many parts of the body.
Calcium plays an important part in controlling the fluid in your cat’s body as well as contributing to muscle function and electrical signals in the brain and body
Choline is an extremely important nutrient for cats that aids in brain development.
| Nutritional element | Importance to cats |
| Vit A | – Maintain healthy vision – Bone growth, and reproductive function – Promotes healthy skin |
| Vit C | – Healthy and strong immune system – Collagen production – Tissue growth and maintenance |
| Potassium | – Helps in heart function. – Regulates nerve impulses – Helps with muscle contraction |
| Magnesium | – Aids bone formation – Assists in hormone secretion – Helps in enzyme function |
| Calcium | – Regulate fluid secretion – Aids in bone and teeth formation – Helps in blood clotting. |
Health Concerns Of Cherries for Cats
Cyanide is a poison found in cherries and can be lethal to cats.
Cherries are unhealthy for cats if they are old or diabetic, and can cause choking or obstruction of the bowel.
Cats may experience symptoms such as:
- Dilation of the pupils
- Panting
- Confusion
- Shock
- Red mucus membranes in the mouth (such as in the gums).
Should You Get Your Cat To Eat Cherries?
If your cat has had an allergy to cherries in the past, they may be allergic to them now.
If your cat is acting unusually after eating cherries, it’s best to call your veterinarian.
Cherries are technically safe for cats if consumed in moderation.
However, they should only be given to cats that have not had an allergy to them in the past.
Cherries can cause intestinal blockages in cats and may lead to death if not treated quickly.
Cats that eat cherries should also have their weight checked and receive supplements to help prevent obesity from developing.
Are Cherry Cat Treat Recipes Safe?
Cherries are safe for cats to eat.
Cherries can improve sleep and digestion, manage arthritis, and be calmer attitude-friendly snacks for cats.
There are risks associated with cherry cat treat recipes (e.g., cherry poisoning), but these are outweighed by the benefits of feeding cherries to your cat.
Keep in mind that treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat’s diet and adjust accordingly based on your pet’s weight and activity level.
What is Cherry Poisoning?
Cherry poisoning is a condition that is caused by the ingestion of large amounts of cherries. The condition results in the accumulation of a toxic substance in the body called cyanide.
Cyanide is a poison that can cause a number of serious health problems.
Cherry poisoning is caused by consuming any portion of the cherry tree or shrub that is not the ripe pulp that we consume as a food product.
All other parts of the cherry plant are considered toxic including the seeds, blossoms, stems, leaves, and cherry pits.
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Treatment involves giving oxygen, fluids, and methylene blue intravenously.
Symptoms of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
Cherry poisoning in cats generally causes a mild to moderate level of toxicity.
Cherry poisoning will cause symptoms of:
- Your cat’s blood will turn bright red in response to cherry poisoning. (Check for bright red gums)
- Difficulty breathing
- Dilated pupils
- Shock that can lead to eventual death.
If you catch your cat eating, licking, or chewing any of the toxic parts of the cherry plant, you can suspect cherry poisoning.
The severity of symptoms may be influenced by the amount of cyanide exposure through ingestion.
Depending on the differential diagnosis, your vet may need to take a blood sample before making a definitive diagnosis.
Causes of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
Cherry poisoning in felines occurs when they feed on any other part of the cherry plant except the pulp.
Cyanide is found in the leaves, stems, and cherry pit of the cherry plant.
Cherry poisoning in cats generally causes a mild to moderate level of toxicity.
Serious cases can lead to death.
Diagnosis of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
To diagnose cherry poisoning in cats, the veterinarian will conduct a physical examination, review the feline’s medical history, and consult with the pet owner.
The easiest way to rule out nitrate poisoning is to take a sample of your cat’s blood and examine its color.
A decreased oxygen supply is a common sign of cherry poisoning in cats.
Cherry poisoning is a condition that affects cats and can be deadly.
Signs of cherry poisoning in cats include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and coma.
Treatment of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
Cherry poisoning is a serious condition and can be fatal if not treated quickly.
The best way to treat cherry poisoning in cats is to remove all cherry trees from their environment or keep them confined when you are not home.
Treatment may include:
- Oxygen supplementation
- Flushing the cyanide from the body with fluids
- Methylene blue treatment.
- supportive care such as fluids and rest.
Cats may require hospitalization if their condition is severe or if they develop signs of kidney failure.
Prevention of cherry poisoning in cats is through vigilance against picking up sour cherries and eating them.
Recovery of Cherry Poisoning in Cats
Cats can die from cherry poisoning if not treated quickly.
To prevent cherry poisoning in cats, remove all cherries from their environment or keep them confined when you’re not home.
Can Cats Eat Cherries: Tips on Feeding
Feeding cherries gives your cat the opportunity to test their tolerance for them.
Pitting the cherries before feeding helps with digestion, but too much cherry intake can lead to diarrhea.
Cherries are an essential part of a cat’s diet, but only in small quantities as a side treat.
How can I Feed Cherries to my Cats?
Introducing cherries to your cat should only happen in a gradual way, with a test piece first given for results.
Cherries can be fed as side dishes or as add-ons incorporated into the main diet, but no more than a handful at a time.
Can cats eat cherries without seeds?
Cherries are a healthy addition to cats’ diets and can provide them with a variety of health benefits.
Cherries can be added to cats’ diets safely, and the seeds/pits should be avoided as they contain cyanide.
How many cherries can a cat have in a day?
Cats can consume cherries in small quantities without any problem.
Too many cherries can be hazardous to felines like cats, so it is best to feed them in small quantities and spread them through different times of the day.
As few as four or five cherries can kill a cat.
Can cats eat cherry stems?
Cats derive the vast majority of their nutrition from eating meat, so there is very little benefit for cats to eating cherries.
The seeds and other parts of the cherry contain cyanide which could poison your cat.
If your cat has eaten cherry leaves, stems, or pits and/or is showing signs of poisoning, contact poison control and your vet immediately!
Can cats eat cherry pie filling?
Cats can eat cherry pie filling, but it is not recommended.
Cherry pie contains a lot of sugar and other additives that are not easily digested by cats.
Cats should be fed a diet made mostly of meat and vegetables to avoid health problems.
Better Choices for Fruits and Vegetables
Cats don’t need fruits or vegetables in their diet and don’t really benefit from them.
Cats get all the nutrients they need from nutrient-dense commercial cat food, which includes the main staples of their diet as well as all the vitamin supplementation they need.
If your feline does try to grab produce off your plate, do some research to learn what fruits and veggies are safe for cats to eat and give these only as an occasional treat.
Check out this article on other safe foods for your furball.
Can cats have cherry yogurt?
Though cats don’t usually go for fruit, they do love dairy products. There is no harm in giving your cat a lick or two of cherry yogurt since it doesn’t contain pits or stems.
Can cats have cherries without the pit?
Cats can eat cherries without the pit.
Eating even a small amount of cherry pits can prove fatal to your cat because they’re toxic to animals.
As a Prize: Whenever your cat shows good behavior, offer them a prize in the shape of cherries without pits.
Seldom as Snacks: Offer your cats Sundaes with Cherry on the top, cherry yogurt, or Cherry Limeade as occasional snacks.
When Feeding Cherries: Always take some precautionary steps before designing a meal with cherries for your cat.
Cats may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy after eating cherries.
If your cat has eaten cherries, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Can cats eat maraschino cherries?
Cherries are toxic to cats due to a certain type of chemical contained in the fruit.
Ingesting a small amount may not be dangerous, but as the cat’s system digests the cherries, harmful effects will build up and eventually become fatal.
The poisonous substance is called cyanogenic glycoside which releases cyanide that affects the central nervous system, causing seizures and other serious problems.
In humans, it is mainly a digestive irritant that can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested in large quantities.
Are sweet cherries toxic to cats?
Cherries are toxic to cats due to a certain type of chemical contained in the fruit.
The poisonous substance is called cyanogenic glycoside which releases cyanide that affects the central nervous system, causing seizures and other serious problems.
As few as four or five cherries can kill a cat.
Are glace cherries toxic to cats?
Glace cherries are toxic to cats and will cause a spike in their blood sugar levels.
Cats can’t have glace cherries because they are too dangerous for them.
There is no known antidote for cats who have eaten glace cherries and experienced poisoning symptoms.
Cats who have eaten glace cherries should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment.
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