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Pet safety

Is Citron toxic to cats?

Citrus medica

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists citron as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Citrus species as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Citrus medica is particularly rich in essential oils throughout all plant parts. Limonene, linalool, and psoralens are concentrated in the rind and leaves. Ingestion causes gastrointestinal upset and potential photosensitivity.

What to do if your cat ate citron

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move citron out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of citron to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten citron, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is citron toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is citron toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists citron as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. ASPCA lists Citrus species as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Citrus medica is particularly rich in essential oils throughout all plant parts. Limonene, linalool, and psoralens are concentrated in the rind and leaves. Ingestion causes gastrointestinal upset and potential photosensitivity.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats citron?

ASPCA lists Citrus species as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Citrus medica is particularly rich in essential oils throughout all plant parts. Limonene, linalool, and psoralens are concentrated in the rind and leaves. Ingestion causes gastrointestinal upset and potential photosensitivity. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to citron.

What should I do if my cat ate citron?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is citron toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Citron is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full citron pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to citron?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full citron pet-safety