Sweet Cherry — (c) hedera.baltica, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Photo by (c) hedera.baltica, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)iNaturalistCC BY-SA
Pet safety reference

Sweet Cherry

Prunus avium

Prunus avium is a deciduous tree known for its edible fruit, but its stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides that can be harmful if ingested by pets. It is widely cultivated for fruit production and as an ornamental specimen.

Bird CherryGeanPrunus aviumSweet Cherry
Light
Full sun
Habit
Tree
Care
Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, and shock.

Escalation note

Ingestion of plant parts containing cyanogenic glycosides can lead to cyanide poisoning. Please contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, and shock.

Escalation note

The stems, leaves, and pits contain compounds that release cyanide upon digestion. Seek immediate veterinary care if your dog has consumed any part of this plant.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Sweet Cherry is listed as toxic to cats and dogs due to cyanogenic glycosides.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical name and distribution data for Prunus avium.

cats safety pageMy cat ate Sweet Cherrydogs safety pageMy dog ate Sweet Cherry

Often compared with

Commonly confused with

Same genus

More from the Prunus genus

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Same growing conditions

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