Can cats eat citrus fruit?
Also called: citrus, orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, mandarin, tangerine, clementine
Caution
Small amounts of the fruit usually cause no more than minor stomach upset.
Not a good idea. The stems, leaves, peel, fruit and seeds of citrus contain citric acid and essential oils that can cause irritation. A small taste of the fruit is unlikely to cause more than minor stomach upset.
When it's a problem
- Eating a lot, especially peel, leaves or seeds, can cause irritation and possibly depression.
Where this comes from
ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Small ingestions, such as eating the fruit, are not likely to present problems beyond minor stomach upset.
Read "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets"
Checked 9 October 2026
Where this comes from
ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Small ingestions, such as eating the fruit, are not likely to present problems beyond minor stomach upset.
contain varying amounts of citric acid and essential oils that can cause irritation and possibly even depression if ingested in significant quantities
Read "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets"
Checked 9 October 2026
Where this comes from
ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Small ingestions, such as eating the fruit, are not likely to present problems beyond minor stomach upset.
contain varying amounts of citric acid and essential oils that can cause irritation and possibly even depression if ingested in significant quantities
Read "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets"
Checked 9 October 2026