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Pet safety

Is Clementine toxic to cats?

Citrus reticulata 'Clementine'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists clementine 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. The essential oils (limonene, linalool) and psoralens are concentrated in the leaves, stems, and rind; the fruit flesh poses lower risk but is still acidic. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and photosensitivity.

What to do if your cat ate clementine

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

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

Is clementine toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is clementine toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists clementine 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. The essential oils (limonene, linalool) and psoralens are concentrated in the leaves, stems, and rind; the fruit flesh poses lower risk but is still acidic. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and photosensitivity.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats clementine?

ASPCA lists Citrus species as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The essential oils (limonene, linalool) and psoralens are concentrated in the leaves, stems, and rind; the fruit flesh poses lower risk but is still acidic. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and 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 clementine.

What should I do if my cat ate clementine?

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 clementine toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to clementine?

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 clementine pet-safety