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My 6 kg cat ate about five pomegranate arils — when might she start vomiting if she's going to?

Cats · Food safety

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

Short answer

If vomiting occurs, it will likely start within a few hours, but it's not guaranteed. A few seeds are usually okay for cats, but the tannins in the fruit can irritate the stomach. Watch her closely for the next 6-12 hours for signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or a decreased appetite. If you see any of these symptoms, or if she seems lethargic, it's a good idea to check in with your own vet.

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.

Pomegranate 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 Pomegranate food facts page.

Open the full food page: Pomegranate food facts →