Suspect poisoning? US: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · UK: 01202 509 000 · Severe symptoms → nearest emergency vet now.

My 1-year-old cat licked a piece of nectarine that was left out overnight and slightly fermented — is this dangerous?

Cats · Food safety

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

Short answer

The flesh of a nectarine is safe for cats in small amounts, but a piece left out overnight and starting to ferment is a different story. Spoiled fruit can harbor bacteria that cause vomiting and diarrhea within hours. The pit is a choking hazard and contains cyanide precursors, so make sure she didn't get near it. Watch her for the next 24 hours and call your vet if she starts vomiting or becomes lethargic.

Nectarine — Food safety facts

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

A piece of flesh is fine. The pit contains cyanide precursors and is a choking hazard.

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

Nectarine 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.

Why these cautions matter

Stone-fruit pits and some seeds release cyanide when crushed, and quite apart from that they are a choking and blockage hazard.

Nectarine can turn up now and then, but not as a daily habit: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the litter box and how quickly they finish the next meal.

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

Open the full food page: Nectarine food facts →