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Pet safety

Is Duku toxic to cats?

Lansium domesticum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists duku 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. Lansium domesticum is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic. The skin of the fruit contains a bitter resin, and the seeds contain the alkaloid lansium A and related compounds. Because veterinary data is lacking for this species, a precautionary 'mildly-toxic' designation is used; keep pets from consuming leaves, bark, or seeds.

What to do if your cat ate duku

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

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

Is duku toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is duku toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists duku 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. Lansium domesticum is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic. The skin of the fruit contains a bitter resin, and the seeds contain the alkaloid lansium A and related compounds. Because veterinary data is lacking for this species, a precautionary 'mildly-toxic' designation is used; keep pets from consuming leaves, bark, or seeds.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats duku?

Lansium domesticum is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic. The skin of the fruit contains a bitter resin, and the seeds contain the alkaloid lansium A and related compounds. Because veterinary data is lacking for this species, a precautionary 'mildly-toxic' designation is used; keep pets from consuming leaves, bark, or seeds. 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 duku.

What should I do if my cat ate duku?

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 duku toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to duku?

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 duku pet-safety