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My cat ate a small piece of pomegranate rind 12 hours ago and now seems fine. What symptoms could still appear?

Cats · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Symptoms from pomegranate rind typically show up within a few hours, so 12 hours is a good sign. The main risk is vomiting from the tannins in the rind, and possibly some mild stomach upset. Keep watching for any signs of lethargy, loss of appetite, or repeated vomiting over the next day. If any of those develop, a call to your veterinarian is a good idea.

Pomegranate — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Cats · full breakdown on the linked food page

A few arils are fine, but the rind and inner membrane are high in tannins and can cause vomiting.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Pomegranate is not poisonous to cats, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Pomegranate food facts page.

Open the full food page: Pomegranate food facts →