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Is Seville orange toxic to cats?

Citrus aurantium

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists seville orange 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 aurantium is also the primary source of synephrine and is high in psoralens, which cause photosensitive skin reactions. Foliage, rind, and essential oil are the most concentrated parts; the bitter flesh is rarely ingested in quantity.

What to do if your cat ate seville orange

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move seville orange 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 seville orange to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is seville orange toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is seville orange toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists seville orange 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 aurantium is also the primary source of synephrine and is high in psoralens, which cause photosensitive skin reactions. Foliage, rind, and essential oil are the most concentrated parts; the bitter flesh is rarely ingested in quantity.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats seville orange?

ASPCA lists Citrus species as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Citrus aurantium is also the primary source of synephrine and is high in psoralens, which cause photosensitive skin reactions. Foliage, rind, and essential oil are the most concentrated parts; the bitter flesh is rarely ingested in quantity. 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 seville orange.

What should I do if my cat ate seville orange?

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 seville orange toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to seville orange?

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 seville orange pet-safety