Updated: August 11, 2022 by Kristen Chapple
Really healthy, very delicious and amazing on their own or in pies, cherries are one of the best choices for deserts when it comes to us. As cats aren’t usually fond of fruits you might have doubts about whether or not they should eat these even as treats so let us find out the answer to the question: can cats eat cherries?
Nutritional Benefits
When it comes to the vitamins and minerals found in cherries, these aren’t something your cat really needs so it is better to stick with other sources if this is what you are looking. That being said, cherries do have a lot of antioxidants and these are quite essential for us due to the stressful daily lives we have.
For cats, as domesticated house pets, they do have to deal with some of the same stress factors we have and this means that the free radicals in their bodies are increasing. For this reason, it might be a good idea to find sources of antioxidants as the free radicals can damage cells and even lead to conditions like cancer.
One other benefit of cherries are their anti-inflammatory properties and they have been used by athletes as well to reduce the risk of injury during their workout sessions. A reduced amount of inflammation in a cat’s body will also lower the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease or even some types of cancer. Cats who suffer from arthritis have reduced mobility due to the pain they are in and some cherries can help reduce their problems so it is quite a great treat for a senior cat.
Precautions
Cats remain obligate carnivores and thus they have difficulties digesting fruits such as cherries and this can result in indigestion shown through vomiting or diarrhea. Keep these as a treat and in small portions for the well-being of your furry friend.
The pits of the cherry can pose a choking hazard for a cat and thus you should always remove them beforehand. Fruits with big pits, like peaches, avocados, and mangoes, are marginally safer, as they’d usually be too big for a cat’s mouth.
One even more dangerous threat pits pose is the content of cyanide which they have. This substance prevents the enzymes in the body from working as intended and thus the amount of oxygen that is absorbed is reduced. A bit of cyanide can lead to symptoms of difficulties in breathing, discolored gums, dilated pupils and this often can kill your pet so as a general precaution remove the seeds or pits of any fruit.
Short Answer:
Cherries are safe as occasional treats if you wash them properly and remove the pits before serving them to your pet.
