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Pet safety

Is Key lime toxic to cats?

Citrus aurantifolia

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists key lime 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 due to citrus essential oils (limonene, linalool) and psoralens concentrated in the leaves and rind. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, and photosensitivity. The juice and flesh at minor doses carry lower risk but are not considered safe for pets.

What to do if your cat ate key lime

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

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

Is key lime toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is key lime toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists key lime 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 due to citrus essential oils (limonene, linalool) and psoralens concentrated in the leaves and rind. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, and photosensitivity. The juice and flesh at minor doses carry lower risk but are not considered safe for pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats key lime?

ASPCA lists Citrus species as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to citrus essential oils (limonene, linalool) and psoralens concentrated in the leaves and rind. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, and photosensitivity. The juice and flesh at minor doses carry lower risk but are not considered safe for pets. 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 key lime.

What should I do if my cat ate key lime?

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 key lime toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to key lime?

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 key lime pet-safety