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Pet safety

Is Grapefruit toxic to cats?

Citrus paradisi

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists grapefruit 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. Limonene, linalool, and psoralens are concentrated in the leaves, peel, and essential oil. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, depression, and photosensitivity. The flesh at low doses is unlikely to cause serious harm but should be avoided.

What to do if your cat ate grapefruit

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

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

Is grapefruit toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is grapefruit toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists grapefruit 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. Limonene, linalool, and psoralens are concentrated in the leaves, peel, and essential oil. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, depression, and photosensitivity. The flesh at low doses is unlikely to cause serious harm but should be avoided.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats grapefruit?

ASPCA lists Citrus species as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Limonene, linalool, and psoralens are concentrated in the leaves, peel, and essential oil. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, depression, and photosensitivity. The flesh at low doses is unlikely to cause serious harm but should be avoided. 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 grapefruit.

What should I do if my cat ate grapefruit?

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 grapefruit toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to grapefruit?

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 grapefruit pet-safety