Food safety
Can Cats Eat Oranges? No — Peel and Oils Can Make Them Sick
No, cats should not eat oranges. The ASPCA lists the orange plant as toxic to cats because of its essential oils and psoralens, which concentrate in the peel, seeds, leaves and stems. A lick of the juicy fruit is unlikely to cause more than a mild stomach upset, but peel, pith and concentrated orange oil can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and lethargy. If your cat ate peel or orange oil, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435; a fee may apply.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why oranges are a problem for cats
The ASPCA's plant database lists the orange as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The toxic principles it names are essential oils and psoralens, and the signs it lists are vomiting, diarrhea, depression and possible skin irritation. It also notes that the fruit is edible, while the skins and plant material cause the problems.
There is no nutritional reason to share. The Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients from animal products. Unlike people, cats make their own vitamin C, so the orange's best-known nutrient is wasted on them, and its natural sugar is something a cat's body is not built to use.
Peel, pith, seeds and orange oil
The ASPCA's guidance on people foods explains that citrus stems, leaves, peels and seeds contain citric acid and essential oils that can irritate and, in large amounts, cause depression of the nervous system. That makes peel the main hazard, particularly if a cat chews a discarded peel or a pile of zest.
Concentrated citrus essential oils, in diffusers, cleaning sprays and some flea products marketed as natural, are a bigger concern than the fruit. Cats lack some of the liver pathways that break down these compounds. Never apply orange oil to a cat's coat or let it lick oil spilled on the floor.
If your cat ate some orange
The ASPCA notes that small ingestions, such as eating a little of the fruit, are not likely to cause problems beyond minor stomach upset. If your cat licked or nibbled a segment, offer fresh water and watch for vomiting or diarrhea over the next several hours.
If your cat chewed peel, seeds or leaves, ate a large amount, or licked orange essential oil, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. A fee may apply. Have the product or the remaining fruit to hand so you can describe what was eaten.
How much orange is too much
There is no amount of orange a cat needs, and no reason to offer it deliberately. A single lick of juice or a crumb of fruit from your fingers is unlikely to harm a healthy adult cat of 8 to 12 lb, but anything more than that is more likely to cause stomach upset than pleasure.
Orange juice is no better. It is concentrated sugar and acid, and a cat that laps a puddle of it may vomit. Orange-flavored candy, cakes and drinks bring sugar, fat and sometimes xylitol, which the ASPCA lists as dangerous to pets.
Many cats do better with small, slow portions, and a puzzle feeder or a slow feeder bowl helps with both.
Kittens and citrus
Kittens explore with their mouths and are more likely to bat a peel around and chew it. Their smaller bodies mean a given amount of peel or oil has a stronger effect, so keep fruit bowls, compost and citrus cleaning products out of their reach.
Do not use citrus essential oils or diffusers in a room where a kitten sleeps or plays. If a kitten chewed orange peel or licked an oil, call your vet the same day even if it seems fine.
Signs of citrus poisoning and when to call a vet
Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, pawing at the mouth, lethargy or unusual quietness, and a reluctance to eat. Skin contact with peel or oil can cause redness, itching or irritation, and psoralens can make skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Call your vet the same day if vomiting or diarrhea continues, your cat stops eating, seems weak or wobbly, or has a red, irritated patch of skin. Seek emergency care for collapse, trouble breathing or tremors, particularly after exposure to an essential oil product.
Better treats for cats
Cats do best with small pieces of plain cooked meat or fish, with no bones, skin or seasoning. A thumbnail-size piece of cooked chicken, turkey or white fish is a treat most cats enjoy, and it suits their carnivorous diet.
If your cat likes to chew greenery, cat grass is a safe outlet. Cornell suggests keeping all treats to about 10 to 15 percent of daily calories, so a few small pieces a day is plenty.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Are oranges toxic to cats?
The ASPCA lists the orange plant as toxic to cats because of its essential oils and psoralens. The flesh is the least risky part, but peel, seeds, leaves and orange oil can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
Can cats eat mandarin oranges or clementines?
The same caution applies to mandarins, clementines and tangerines. A lick of the fruit is unlikely to cause more than stomach upset, but peel and oils can make a cat sick, so it is best not to share.
Why do cats hate the smell of oranges?
Cats have a strong sense of smell and many dislike the sharp scent of citrus oils. That aversion helps protect them, but it does not stop a curious kitten from chewing a peel, so keep citrus out of reach.
Is orange essential oil safe around cats?
No. Concentrated citrus oils are a bigger risk to cats than the fruit, whether licked, absorbed through the skin or inhaled in large amounts. Avoid using diffusers and citrus oil products where your cat spends time.
Can cats drink orange juice?
No. Orange juice is acidic and sugary and offers nothing a cat needs. A lap is unlikely to cause serious harm, but it may cause vomiting or diarrhea, so give fresh water instead.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
