Today’s question: Can cats eat oranges? What about lemons and other citrus fruits? Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons have an important place in our diet. They are excellent sources of vitamin C, which is crucial to our health. Cats need vitamin C too, but their bodies make all the vitamin C they need themselves. Yet, oranges also taste really sweet, so you might still want to share this fruit with your feline friend. That takes us to a question: Can cats eat oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits?
Can Cats Eat Oranges?
The short answer would be no, cats cannot eat oranges or other citrus fruits. The essential oils and psoralens in oranges are toxic to cats. 
If your cat would consume some orange, then she would most likely get a bad diarrhea and/or start to vomit. Eating oranges can also cause depression and photosensitivity in cats.
So, it’s definitely for the best not to share this fruit with you feline friend. For those of you who are running a multi-pet household, know that oranges are a no-no for dogs as well.
Can Cats Eat Lemons?
No, cats cannot eat lemons too! The problem with lemons for cats is that lemons contain the same toxic essential oils and psoralens. Additionally, lemons are even more acidic than oranges, so they are even more likely to upset your cat’s stomach. So, lemons too are a definite no-no for cats.
What About Other Citrus Fruits?
All Other citrus fruits like limes, grapefruits, tangerines and pomelos are bad for cats as well. A good rule of thumb to remember is that cats cannot eat any citrus fruits.
Unfortunately, a lot of cat owners think that they know better than the ASPCA, and still give their cats a piece of lemon. Some do it merely for the purpose of it being entertaining to watch their cats react to the bitter taste of lemons. And yes, a tiny piece of lemon is not likely to harm your cat, but it will cause her stress. Is it right to purposely cause stress to your pet for the shake of entertainment? I think not.
Conclusion
Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons contain essential oils and psoralens, which are toxic to cats. That’s why you cannot share citrus fruits with your feline friend, but don’t worry. There’s still a lot of fruits that your cat can eat. For example, small apple pieces or a slice of a banana would make a healthy treat for your cat.
What fruits does your cat like? Share in the comment section below!
I’m sorry I don’t happen to agree with this article!! Our cat, who is somewhat goofy, LOVES oranges, apples, blueberries, peachesand any other produce she can sink her teeth into!! How weird is that!! Of course our dog is the same way!! It should also be noted that neither our cat or dog was raised on any of this stuff we stuck strctly to animal food for the both of them!!!
Antifreeze is delicious – cats and dogs love to ingest it but it’s poison. Good job! You’re slowly poisoning your cat! ??
No kidding eh? My cat loves sugar sugar everything so therefore i just let her have drinks of pop and bites of cake and i dont worry about her health or dental health at all shes lived this long nothinging can take her down!!! Screw all those animals that have died from such things! My cat is invincible!!! Right kitty? Uh kitty?
I don’t get it, I have a cat going on 15 years, an the evidence doesn’t add up. Here the guy that feeds the cat orange and also cleans the cat letter daily, because i have several cat, and sassy is the only cat that has the tast for orange. If there were ever an oocianal cance for diarrhia i would have noticed. I stop her at a point, so that we don’t over do it.
Happen to agree with you, Robert. I have 12 cats. Only one of them is going crazy about fruits, almost any fruit, but bananas, strawberry and ripe oranges are favorites. He’s been eating fruits and drinking fruit smoothies for the last 10 years, he’s very healthy and strong. Lately I’ve started eating pomelo, and he has developed such a passion for it that he’s walking around following me and crying to give him. He eats large pieces, ferociously, about a slice in total, without skin. He never had diarrhea or vomit… This is the reason why I started looking up for information regarding this… I don’t know if pomelo is good or not, or if my cat is just unusual, but it wouldn’t be the first time I prove doctors to be wrong, like feeding your cat a raw meat diet (which most doctors are screaming against, and many other issues, considered taboo)…
My kitten has ate anything from raw meat to oranges to chocolate… He’s fine! The problem is over doing it. A tiny lick or very small small bit for him will not hurt. A slice of an orange seems a bit much bc he is little but as long as you don’t over do it and they have check up regularly and they are fine then why worry?
Wow people. Your evidence is anecdotal and your obsession with being right being more important than potential risks to your animals is disgusting.
Don’t feed you cat something that has been scientifically proven to be toxic. Your animal may of been lucky or maybe an outlier, that doesn’t mean the information here is wrong and you need to stop spreading misinformation just because your dog can eat grapes, your cat can eat peaches or your child survived drinking anti-freeze. It means bupkis at best and is encouraging others to risk something not worth risking.
I wish people who do that could be fined because it’s already hard to find information that is backed up when a bunch of people say “yeah, but my fluffy is fine! Therefore the millions and millions of tests, data and other animals that were NOT fine are invalid because my experience is all that matters! Doctors are dumb duuuurrrh.”
Stop it.
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! These people with their negligence and carefree attitude is a disgrace and they are the reason for vets being overwhelmed because of idiots like this. They shouldn’t be allowed to own a cat let alone a child. So my cat likes to chase lizards and there’s a busy road that cars drive on and there’s tons of lizards there so let me go bring my cat there so he can chase all the lizards he wants he hasn’t got hit by a car yet so this must be ok. WHAT?????? These people make me so mad!