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My Cat Likes Citrus (Dumb or Daring?)

If your cat likes citrus you may be a bit confused because most people often assume the opposite…

Is it normal for a cat to like citrus?

It is not normal for a cat to like citrus, in fact, it’s quite the opposite. However, there are always exceptions to any rule, and this is no different. If your cat is loving citrus it may be a product that has a citrus flavor, in these cases, it is not truly the same as getting it direct from the fruit.

SO, now you know. But, Is citrus harmful for cats? What about limes, can your cat lick them? Can citrus sprays have the same effect? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

Is citrus harmful to cats?

Citrus is known to cause skin irritations and stomach upsets for cats. This is believed to be linked to the essential oil extracts that it contains. Some cats may have more severe reactions than others.

You may even find that your cat has little to no visible signs of citrus-related problems. But, it’s best to steer clear to be safe.

Can my cat lick a lime?

Cats should not lick or consume lime. In general, any citrus fruit should be avoided. It is unlikely that your cat will want to eat or lick them anyway because they typically steer clear.

However, it could be a young kitten that has yet to learn the dangers of this fruit, which is causing it to try a random lick.

Does citrus spray affect all cats?

Not all cats appear to be bothered by citrus spray. Some theories suggest it is because it is not concentrated and does not have the same impact as having direct exposure to citrus fruit.

Like most things, the reactions differ from cat to cat, so you may see a big reaction in one and the complete opposite with another.

Will lemon juice keep a cat off your sofa?

This may for some cats but, truthfully speaking, there is no better method than covering the sofa completely, or blocking access to it, by closing the room door it’s in.

Also, depending on the material of your sofa, it may not be ideal to spray this on it, so other methods, such as a simple cover may be a better option.

Do cats hate citrus?

Yes, cats hate citrus. This includes many of the popular citrus fruits such as lemon and lime. Some cat owners use this as a bonus to repel cats from areas that they do not want to be touched. Such as around their garden crops.

So, now you know cats do not like citrus. But, What fruits are high in citrus? Can citrus oil be used as a cat repellent? What happens if your cat eats citrus, such as lemon? Keep reading to get these answers and so much more.

What is citrus?

The chances are you have a good idea of what citrus is. And you may just associate it with lemon or lime. But, let me clarify what it is from a scientific level, according to Wikipedia.

Citrus is a genus of flowering plants that encapsulates a lot of different fruits including lemon and limes. It is part of the family called Rue. It is native to South Asia, Australia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Some of the most common citrus fruits are oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and lime.

So, now you know what the most common citrus fruits are. But, what fruits are high in Citrus?

What fruits are high in citrus?

You may have heard a lot about citrus and understand now that there are a number of different fruits in its genus. But, what fruits have the highest amount of citrus (Citric acid) acid?

Lemons and limes are known to have the most citric acid levels. Grapefruits, oranges, and berries have quite a bit as well but they do not compare to lemons and limes. The citric acid content in these fruits is also detected in urine when eaten.

So, now you know what fruits are high in citrus. But, why do cats dislike citrus?

Why do cats dislike citrus?

So, you may be wondering why cats react so badly to citrus. What is it exactly that makes them not like it?

It is believed that the smell is too potent in citrus fruits for cats. Humans can smell citrus but cats have significantly stronger smelling sense than humans. This makes the smell of citrus fruits unbearable for them. This is why they hate it.

So, now you know why cats dislike citrus. But, can citrus be used as a cat repellent?

Can Citrus be used as a cat repellent?

So, you may have heard of various cat repellents. They are often used in gardening to keep cats away from plants and produce. But, can citrus be used in this way?

Yes, citrus can be used as a cat repellent because they hate the smell so much. You may often see orange or lemons peelings scattered to protect plants and produce. Citrus oils have been used in spray-on these plants to keep them safe as well.

So, now you know citrus can be used as a cat repellent. But, what about the citrus oil itself why is that used?

Can citrus oil be used as a cat repellent?

So, you may have heard rumors about citrus oil being used as a cat repellent, but is this true or just rumors?

Yes, citrus oil can be used as a cat repellent. In particular, essential citrus oils. It is typically mixed with water. Usually, one part citrus oil and then three parts water then placed into a spray bottle. Then sprayed on the areas that you deem off-limits.

Another way that you can apply this is to soak into a cotton pad then place it in these off-limit areas. Apart from citrus, are there any other natural cat repellents that can be considered?

Are there other natural cat repellents?

So, you may understand now that citrus can be used as a cat repellent. But, are there other natural cat repellents that can be considered?

Yes, prickly plants such as blackberry or Hawthorne can be used to repel cats. This can also be used to repeal dogs, foxes, and other animals that are causing you problems. Also, cats are known to dislike the smell of lavender and lemon thyme.

So, you have learned that cats can have a number of natural repellents that can be used to keep them away from plants or other off-limit areas. But, can lemon hurt cats?

Can Lemon hurt cats?

So, you may have heard rumors about lemon and wondered if it can be used as a spray to repel cats. But, will it hurt them?

Yes, lemon can hurt cats. It is known to be toxic. This is because of two things the psoralens ingredient in it and high levels of citric acid it has. Therefore it is advisable to avoid using it around your cat to keep her safe.

So, now you know lemons can hurt cats. But, what happens if a cat eats a lemon?

What happens if a cat eats a lemon?

So, now you know cats can be hurt by lemons. But, what happens if they eat and digest a lemon?

If your cat eats a lemon it can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. This is why it should be avoided. When a cat has this reaction it is commonly known as citrus poisoning. It is not known to be fatal but very unpleasant for a cat.

So now you know what happens if a cat eats lemons. But is it true that you can spray a cat with lemon water?

Can I spray my cat with lemon water?

You may have heard some rumors that you can use lemon water to get rid of fleas on a cat. But, is this true?

Yes, some cat owners do use lemon water to get rid of fleas on their cats. They either spray the cat with this lemon water rub it into their fur. But, I wouldn’t advise using it to avoid the chance of your cat eating it.

So, you now know cats can be sprayed with lemon water but not advised. But, what about other fruits like grapes are they citrus fruits?

Are grapes a citrus fruit?

So, now you understand what citrus is and some of the different fruits that are categorized in this genus. But, what about grapes are they classified as citrus?

Yes, grapes are a citrus fruit. Not many people associate them with citrus. They often assume fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes are the only citrus fruits. Grapes do have citric acid and they are also a good source of vitamin C.

So, now you know grapes are citrus fruits. But, what about strawberries are they citrus as well?

Is Strawberry a citrus fruit?

So, now you understand the different fruits that can be classed as citrus. And, you just learned that grapes are a citrus fruit too. But, what about strawberries?

No, strawberries are not classified as citrus fruit. They are classified as a berry. Most citrus fruits contain a lot of citric acids, unlike strawberries. Hence the reason why they are not categorized as citrus.

So, now you know strawberries are not classified as citrus fruit. but they are still a tasty fruit.