Why?
The milky sap of the fig tree contains ficin, an irritating enzyme, and psoralens, which can make skin sensitive to sunlight. Animal poison control references list the fig plant as toxic to cats, mainly causing stomach upset and skin irritation. A fully ripe fig contains much less sap, but it's very sugary and does nothing for your cat, so to be safe, skip it.
How much?
No amount is recommended, fresh or dried. Also keep your cat away from fig leaves and pruned branches.
The risks
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Drooling and mouth irritation
- Skin irritation from contact with the sap
- Very sugary, especially dried
Your cat ate some: what now?
A bite of ripe fig usually causes, at worst, a passing stomach upset: watch your cat for 24 to 48 hours. If your cat chewed leaves, a stem or an unripe fig, or is vomiting, drooling or pawing at the mouth, call your vet. Don't try to make your cat vomit yourself.
Better options
For a treat, a small piece of plain cooked chicken or fish is a much better fit. If your cat likes chewing on plants, offer cat grass.
Common questions
Is my fig tree dangerous for my cat?
It can be if your cat chews the leaves or rubs against the sap: irritation of the mouth, gut or skin. It's rarely serious, but keep an eye out and call your vet if symptoms appear.
What about a ficus houseplant?
Ficus houseplants, like the weeping fig or fiddle-leaf fig, are relatives of the fig tree with the same kind of irritating sap. Keep them out of reach if your cat chews plants, and offer cat grass instead.
This information is general and does not replace advice from a veterinarian. If your cat has swallowed something toxic, call your vet or an animal poison control center right away, without waiting for symptoms.