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Pet safety

Is Feijoa toxic to cats?

Acca sellowiana

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists feijoa 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. Acca sellowiana is not clearly listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database, so treat its status as uncertain and verify with a vet. The ripe flesh is widely eaten and generally considered safe, but the seeds and leaves can contain cyanogenic compounds, and pets eating large amounts of seed or foliage may show GI upset; keep pets away from fallen fruit and prunings.

What to do if your cat ate feijoa

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

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

Is feijoa toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is feijoa toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists feijoa 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. Acca sellowiana is not clearly listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database, so treat its status as uncertain and verify with a vet. The ripe flesh is widely eaten and generally considered safe, but the seeds and leaves can contain cyanogenic compounds, and pets eating large amounts of seed or foliage may show GI upset; keep pets away from fallen fruit and prunings.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats feijoa?

Acca sellowiana is not clearly listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database, so treat its status as uncertain and verify with a vet. The ripe flesh is widely eaten and generally considered safe, but the seeds and leaves can contain cyanogenic compounds, and pets eating large amounts of seed or foliage may show GI upset; keep pets away from fallen fruit and prunings. 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 feijoa.

What should I do if my cat ate feijoa?

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 feijoa toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to feijoa?

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 feijoa pet-safety