Is Water lemon toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists water lemon 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. The ripe fruit pulp is edible and consumed in the Caribbean. However, leaves, stems, and unripe fruit of Passiflora species contain cyanogenic glycosides which may cause mild GI upset in pets and children. ASPCA does not individually list P. laurifolia; treat foliage as mildly toxic and keep pets away from the plant material.

The ripe fruit pulp is edible and consumed in the Caribbean. However, leaves, stems, and unripe fruit of Passiflora species contain cyanogenic glycosides which may cause mild GI upset in pets and children. ASPCA does not individually list P. laurifolia; treat foliage as mildly toxic and keep pets away from the plant material. 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 water lemon.

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: Water lemon is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full water lemon 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.