Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Lime - what should I do?
Citrus aurantifolia
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and potential photosensitivity.
Escalation note
Ingestion of plant material or essential oils can cause gastrointestinal distress. If your cat has ingested any part of this plant, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately.
What to watch for
Vomiting, diarrhea, and depression are the main signs the ASPCA lists. Drooling and pawing at the mouth from the bitter taste are common, and skin contact with crushed peel or oils can cause dermatitis.
Time window
GI signs typically begin within a few hours of ingestion; the ASPCA does not publish a specific recovery window for lime in cats.
When to call the vet
Call your vet if vomiting is repeated, your cat is unusually flat, wobbly, or hiding, or if a skin reaction is spreading. Any noticeable change in behaviour after a chew is reason enough to call.
What this means for your cat
Cats should stay away from lime trees, peels, and leaves. The ASPCA lists Citrus aurantifolia as toxic to cats because of its essential oils and psoralens. Cats are particularly poor at metabolizing citrus oils — concentrated peel and leaves are far worse than a lick of pulp.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.