Is Bergamot Orange Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)

The peel and seeds are more concentrated in irritants than the fruit itself; usually resolves with monitoring.

The toxic component in Bergamot Orange is essential oils (limonene) and psoralens, concentrated in the peel and seeds.

Part-specific risk: Peeled, seedless fruit flesh in small amounts is much lower risk than peel, seeds, or leaves.

Bergamot Orange is grown primarily for its peel oil (used in Earl Grey tea and perfumery) rather than as fruit — that concentrated peel oil is exactly the plant part with the highest psoralen and limonene content, making commercial bergamot products a more concentrated exposure than garden citrus fruit.

Scientific name

Citrus Aurantium

Family

Rutaceae

Also known as

Bergamot Orange, Bergamot, Citrus bergamia

Typically found

both