Discover why cats don't like the smell of oranges and lemons

Registered Veterinary Nurse Helen Crofts explains why cats hate citrus fruits...

We all know how important it is for us to get our five portions of fruit and veg a day. Citrus fruits are one of the most popular fruits available. There is also something very seasonal about the smell of spices and oranges. It reminds us of winter and especially Christmas. Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes can also be added to a seasonal tipple. It’s also still popular to buy a few satsumas as a traditional Christmas stocking filler!

The sweet, juicy taste of satsumas, clementines and oranges brings a welcome hit of sweetness to our palates. And you can be forgiven for thinking that a little segment of fruit will be enjoyed by your cat too. But cats have a very sensitive sense of smell. As citrus fruits are very aromatic, what smells heavenly to us is way too over the top for cats.

This dislike of citrusy scents can be turned to an owner’s advantage. If you want to discourage your cat from using a particular area of your garden as a toilet, leave some orange peel among the flowers. This may help persuade your cat to stop digging around your prize marigolds. The idea behind this is simple. The cat smells the fruit, dislikes it and wanders off. For cats who have come across this strong smell before, it is likely that they will have an even stronger reaction to citrus smells than normal.

This natural aversion to strong, citrusy smells means that cats tend to avoid eating it. This is fortunate because eating citrus fruits can cause cats to experience gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhoea. But don’t panic if your cat does sample a segment or have a lick of your fingers after you have eaten a particularly juicy orange. Cats would need to eat an excessive amount to be in danger of any severe reactions.

Find out more about what to feed your cat.