Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Cherry - what should I do?
Prunus spp.
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
Excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, panting, and weakness.
Escalation note
The presence of cyanogenic glycosides poses a serious health risk. If ingestion occurs, seek emergency veterinary care promptly to manage potential cyanide poisoning.
First aid at home
Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison-control clinician tells you to. Remove any remaining plant pieces or pits from the dog's mouth, then call Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) and head to the clinic — your vet may give IV fluids and, if needed, anti-seizure medication.
What to watch for
Brick-red gums, dilated pupils, rapid or labored breathing, panting, weakness, and shock or collapse. Earlier or milder signs: drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain. Vomiting plus straining could also signal a pit obstruction.
Time window
Cyanide signs can appear within 15–30 minutes of chewing leaves, stems, or pits. Symptoms from a whole-pit obstruction may develop more slowly, over hours to a day.
When to call the vet
Call immediately. If your dog chewed any part of the plant or ate multiple pits, contact your vet and Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) right away — treatment can include IV fluids and anti-seizure medication for cyanide exposure.
What this means for your dog
Cherry leaves, stems, and chewed pits contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide when crushed. ASPCA classifies cherry as toxic to dogs, and Pet Poison Helpline notes that a dog who chewed pits or ate a lot of leaves is a real emergency — call right away. Whole, swallowed pits are mainly an obstruction risk rather than a poisoning risk.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.