Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Autograph Tree - what should I do?
Clusia major
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
Drooling, vomiting, oral irritation, and difficulty swallowing.
Escalation note
Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal distress. Please contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has consumed any part of this plant.
What to watch for
Drooling and a stretch of mouth-pawing usually come first, followed by vomiting and a sluggish, off-food cat. A cat that ate fruit may show more pronounced GI signs; in heavier ingestions, wobbliness or tremors are a flag because terpenes can affect the central nervous system in larger doses.
Time window
Exact timing is not well documented; mild GI signs typically appear within a few hours and resolve within 24 hours with supportive care.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if vomiting doesn't stop after the first episode, your cat refuses food for more than one meal, or you saw fruit get eaten. Wobbliness, tremors, or yellow-tinged gums warrant an immediate visit.
What this means for your cat
Cats that chew Autograph Tree are exposed to the plant's terpenes — the resinous oils responsible for clusia's sticky sap. ASPCA classifies it as toxic to cats; most cases are limited to digestive upset, but the fruit is the most concentrated source of the toxin and is the part most likely to push beyond a stomach ache.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.