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Pet safety

Is Gamboge toxic to cats?

Garcinia cambogia

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists gamboge 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. Garcinia cambogia fruit rind is used as a culinary souring agent and in weight-loss supplements. However, there have been documented cases of liver toxicity in humans associated with high-dose Garcinia cambogia extract supplements. The tree is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the main active compound, has not been well-studied for pet safety. As a precaution, keep fruits and plant parts away from pets and consult a vet if ingestion occurs.

What to do if your cat ate gamboge

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

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

Is gamboge toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is gamboge toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists gamboge 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. Garcinia cambogia fruit rind is used as a culinary souring agent and in weight-loss supplements. However, there have been documented cases of liver toxicity in humans associated with high-dose Garcinia cambogia extract supplements. The tree is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the main active compound, has not been well-studied for pet safety. As a precaution, keep fruits and plant parts away from pets and consult a vet if ingestion occurs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats gamboge?

Garcinia cambogia fruit rind is used as a culinary souring agent and in weight-loss supplements. However, there have been documented cases of liver toxicity in humans associated with high-dose Garcinia cambogia extract supplements. The tree is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the main active compound, has not been well-studied for pet safety. As a precaution, keep fruits and plant parts away from pets and consult a vet if ingestion occurs. 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 gamboge.

What should I do if my cat ate gamboge?

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 gamboge toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to gamboge?

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 gamboge pet-safety