Seeds & Pits
Cherry Pits and Apple Seeds: Safe for Dogs and Cats?
If your pet ate this, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
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
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.
Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.