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Pet safety

Is Lychee toxic to dogs?

Litchi chinensis

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lychee as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog 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. Lychee is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so treat it with caution and verify with a vet. The seed and unripe arils are the concern: they contain saponins and hypoglycin-type compounds (MCPG) linked to dangerous low blood sugar, so keep seeds away from pets. Ripe flesh is generally eaten, but the pit should never be offered.

What to do if your dog ate lychee

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

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

Is lychee toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is lychee toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lychee as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Lychee is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so treat it with caution and verify with a vet. The seed and unripe arils are the concern: they contain saponins and hypoglycin-type compounds (MCPG) linked to dangerous low blood sugar, so keep seeds away from pets. Ripe flesh is generally eaten, but the pit should never be offered.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats lychee?

Lychee is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so treat it with caution and verify with a vet. The seed and unripe arils are the concern: they contain saponins and hypoglycin-type compounds (MCPG) linked to dangerous low blood sugar, so keep seeds away from pets. Ripe flesh is generally eaten, but the pit should never be offered. 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 dog has had access to lychee.

What should I do if my dog ate lychee?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your dog'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 lychee toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to lychee?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best dogs-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full lychee pet-safety