By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Cherry stones are small, smooth and easy to bat across a kitchen floor, which is exactly why they end up in cats' mouths. If you have just found your cat chewing on a pit, or a stone has gone missing from the plate, you are right to take it seriously. Cherry pits pose two separate risks: the seed inside contains compounds that can release cyanide, and the hard stone itself can get stuck.
Key takeaways
- Cherry pits are not safe for cats to chew or swallow.
- The ASPCA lists cherry seeds, stems and leaves as containing cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide.
- Chewing or cracking a pit is the bigger poisoning concern, because it breaks open the seed.
- A whole swallowed stone can cause choking or a blockage, especially in a small cat or kitten.
- RSPCA Australia lists fruit stones and pits among foods harmful to cats.
- Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) for advice as soon as you know a pit was eaten.
Why cherry pits are dangerous
Cherries are part of the Prunus genus. The ASPCA lists the cherry plant as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with the stems, leaves and seeds containing cyanogenic glycosides. When plant material containing these compounds is chewed and broken down, cyanide can be released. Cyanide interferes with how the body's cells use oxygen, which is why it can be so serious.
The hard outer shell of a cherry stone protects the seed. A stone swallowed whole may pass through without releasing much of anything, but that is not something you can count on. Cats that crunch or crack the stone are more likely to be exposed. There is no simple way at home to know how much was released, so it is safest to get advice rather than wait.
The blockage risk
A cherry stone is hard and is not digested. The Pet Poison Helpline notes that large seeds, such as an avocado stone, can cause intestinal obstruction, and the same mechanical risk applies to other fruit stones. A stone can lodge in the throat, stomach or intestine. Kittens and small cats are at higher risk.
Signs of a possible blockage include:
- Repeated vomiting, especially after eating or drinking
- Not eating, or showing interest in food then walking away
- Straining or passing no stools
- A tender, tense belly or a hunched posture
- Lethargy or hiding
Signs of cyanide poisoning
The ASPCA lists these signs after a cat eats toxic parts of a cherry plant:
- Brick red gums
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty breathing or panting
- Shock
The Merck Veterinary Manual describes bright red mucous membranes as a feature of cyanide poisoning in animals. Any of these signs is an emergency.
How quickly signs appear can vary with how much was eaten and whether the stone was chewed, so a cat that seems fine shortly after eating a pit still needs advice and close watching.
When to call a vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline
Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) as soon as you know or suspect your cat swallowed or chewed a cherry pit. Have this ready:
- Roughly how many pits are missing
- Whether they were chewed or swallowed whole
- When it happened
- Your cat's age, weight and any medical conditions
Go to an emergency vet immediately if your cat has breathing difficulty, red or brick red gums, collapse, seizures or is retching without bringing anything up.
Do not try to make your cat vomit at home. A stone can lodge on the way back up, and salt is dangerous. The Pet Poison Helpline states that salt should never be used to induce vomiting.
How vets help
Your vet will examine your cat and ask about the timing and number of stones. If the exposure was recent, they may decide whether it is safe and useful to make your cat vomit in the clinic. X-rays or ultrasound can help look for a lodged stone. If cyanide poisoning is suspected, your cat may need oxygen and intensive supportive care. If a stone is stuck, it may need to be removed by endoscopy or surgery.
Preventing pit accidents
- Pit cherries away from cats and put stones straight into a lidded bin.
- Do not leave cherry bowls or fruit platters within reach.
- Clear plates after a summer barbecue before cats get to them.
- Watch for other Prunus stones too, such as plum, peach, nectarine and apricot.
- If you grow cherries, collect fallen fruit and leaves.
FAQ
My cat swallowed one cherry pit whole. Will it pass?
It may, but a stone can cause a blockage and the seed may release cyanide. Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline for advice now rather than waiting.
Is the cherry flesh safe without the pit?
A small bite of ripe flesh is unlikely to cause poisoning, but it is not a useful treat for cats. See our separate article on cherries for more.
Are dried or glace cherries a pit risk?
Most are pitted, but they are very sugary and not suitable for cats.
How long should I watch my cat after a pit?
Follow your vet's advice. Blockage signs can take time to show, so keep watching appetite, vomiting and toilet habits closely for several days.
Talk with a vet
If your cat got hold of a cherry stone and you need help deciding how urgent it is, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can talk it through and tell you whether your cat needs to be seen in person. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants. Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Cherry.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Cyanide Poisoning in Animals.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Avocado.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Salt.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.