Is Green Sapote toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists green sapote 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. Pouteria viridis is not individually listed by ASPCA. The Sapotaceae family has no widely reported systemic toxic principle for pets, but unripe fruit and seed kernels of many sapote species contain saponins and bitter compounds that may cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested by dogs or cats. Ripe fruit pulp consumed by humans is not reported toxic, but caution is advised with pets and the seeds should be kept away from animals.

Pouteria viridis is not individually listed by ASPCA. The Sapotaceae family has no widely reported systemic toxic principle for pets, but unripe fruit and seed kernels of many sapote species contain saponins and bitter compounds that may cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested by dogs or cats. Ripe fruit pulp consumed by humans is not reported toxic, but caution is advised with pets and the seeds should be kept away from animals. 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 green sapote.

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.

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

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.