Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Black Cherry - what should I do?
Prunus serotina
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, bright red gums, shock, and potential collapse.
Escalation note
Contains cyanogenic glycosides which release cyanide upon ingestion. This is a medical emergency; contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.
First aid at home
Per Pet Poison Helpline, do not attempt home treatment. Speak with a poison control specialist before initiating any therapy and never give hydrogen peroxide without veterinary direction. Get to a vet — the cyanide antidote (sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate) and oxygen support are clinic-only.
What to watch for
Brick-red gums, dilated pupils, rapid or labored breathing, drooling, vomiting, and excitement followed by weakness. As poisoning progresses, gums turn bluish, the cat may stagger or collapse, and muscle spasms or seizures can occur.
Time window
Signs can appear within minutes when a large dose is consumed and within roughly 24 hours for smaller exposures. In high-dose poisonings, death can occur within one to two hours. Cats that reach treatment quickly typically recover within 24–48 hours.
When to call the vet
Call immediately. Any suspected ingestion of leaves, twigs, or a chewed pit is a medical emergency, and severe signs (rapid breathing, bright-red or blue gums, collapse) need a vet within the next hour.
What this means for your cat
Cats — toxic. The leaves, stems, and seeds of Black Cherry contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide when chewed; wilting branches and pruned leaves are the most dangerous form. Cats rarely browse on cherry, but any nibble of leaves or a chewed pit warrants quick action because cyanide can act within minutes at high doses.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.