Seeds & Pits
Can dogs and cats eat cherry pits and apple seeds?
Compare the dog and cat answers together, then open the full guide for the pet you are asking about.
If your pet ate this, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
Call ASPCA: (888) 426-4435One food, two pets
What changes between dogs and cats?
Dogs and cats both have a toxic verdict.
The label matches, but the two answers are not interchangeable. Compare the bottom line below, then use the full guide for your pet.
- Bottom line differs
Cherry Pits and Apple Seeds safety for dogs
Cherry pits and apple seeds contain a compound that releases cyanide when chewed or crushed, though a whole pit swallowed intact is far less dangerous than one that has been cracked open.
Toxic principle: amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside that releases hydrogen cyanide when the seed coat is broken
Watch for
- rapid breathing
- bright red gums
- dilated pupils
- difficulty breathing
- vomiting
- seizures
- collapse
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-12
Cherry Pits and Apple Seeds safety for cats
Cats face the same cyanide risk as dogs if they chew through cherry pits or apple seeds, and whole stone fruit pits are additionally a choking and obstruction hazard.
Toxic principle: amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside that releases hydrogen cyanide when the seed coat is broken
Watch for
- rapid breathing
- bright red gums
- dilated pupils
- difficulty breathing
- vomiting
- seizures
- collapse
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-12
This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.
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