Food safety

Can Cats Eat Sherbet?

Not recommended — Sherbet for cats.

Not recommended

Why: Sherbet is sugar, water and a little milk or fruit — sometimes with citrus. It can upset a cat's stomach, and sugar-free versions may contain xylitol. Cats cannot taste sweetness well and get nothing from it.

If your cat ate sherbet: A small lick is not an emergency. Watch for an upset stomach. If it was sugar-free, check for xylitol and call your vet.

Related: Candy, Caramel, Skittles

Why this verdict

Sherbet is sugar, water and a little milk or fruit — sometimes with citrus. It can upset a cat's stomach, and sugar-free versions may contain xylitol. Cats cannot taste sweetness well and get nothing from it.

If your cat ate sherbet

A small lick is not an emergency. Watch for an upset stomach. If it was sugar-free, check for xylitol and call your vet.

Related foods

Candy, Caramel, Skittles

Check another food

Back to the Food-Safety Checker to check all 90 foods, or see the beginner feeding guide and the feeding estimator.

Before you use the result

Use the result as a starting point for observation and planning. Cats vary by age, body condition, temperament, medical history, and household setup.

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat. Chocolate toxicity figures are approximate values from the Merck Veterinary Manual. If your cat ate something on the toxic list, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.