Kiwifruit Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 4,851 found this helpful

Only fully ripe kiwifruit fruits are safe for consumption; all other plant parts (leaves, stems, unripe fruit, roots) are toxic

The plant has low toxicity to humans, cats, dogs, and horses, but is severely toxic to birds even in small amounts

Contact with plant sap causes mucosal/eye irritation, while large ingestion can lead to kidney damage, cardiac arrhythmia, and seizures

FAQ

Is Kiwifruit toxic to Humans?

After contact: mucosal swelling, edema, blisters, excessive salivation. After ingestion: difficulty swallowing (laryngeal edema), vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea. Large ingestion: cardiac arrhythmia, muscle fasciculations, tetany, convulsions, kidney damage (polyuria progressing to anuria). Eye contact with sap causes blepharospasm, conjunctivitis, corneal damage (Low)

Is Kiwifruit toxic to Cats?

Limited species-specific data available; expected symptoms include mucosal irritation, gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea) after ingestion, and eye irritation on contact with plant sap (Low)

Is Kiwifruit toxic to Dogs?

Limited species-specific data available; expected symptoms include mucosal irritation, gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea) after ingestion, and eye irritation on contact with plant sap (Low)

Is Kiwifruit toxic to Horses?

Limited species-specific data available; expected symptoms include mucosal irritation, gastrointestinal upset, and kidney damage after ingestion of large amounts of toxic plant parts (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Cats

Low

Limited species-specific data available; expected symptoms include mucosal irritation, gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea) after ingestion, and eye irritation on contact with plant sap

Dogs

Low

Limited species-specific data available; expected symptoms include mucosal irritation, gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea) after ingestion, and eye irritation on contact with plant sap

Horses

Low

Limited species-specific data available; expected symptoms include mucosal irritation, gastrointestinal upset, and kidney damage after ingestion of large amounts of toxic plant parts

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll parts of the plant, except fully ripe fruits

Exposure RouteOral ingestion, direct skin/mucosal contact, eye contact with plant sap

Toxic CompoundsOxalic acid; Oxalate salts; Oxalate raphides; Serotonin

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth, skin, or eyes immediately
• Rinse skin/mucosal contact areas thoroughly with cool clean water for 10-15 minutes
• Flush affected eyes continuously with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open
• For recent ingestion, give small sips of water to dilute toxins; do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a medical professional/vet

Contact Vet Immediately

• If there is difficulty breathing, swallowing, or severe localized swelling after exposure
• If large amounts of toxic plant parts are ingested by humans, pets, or livestock
• If seizures, irregular heartbeat, or changes in urination occur after exposure
• If eye pain, redness, or vision changes persist after flushing

Prevention

• Only consume fully ripe cultivated kiwifruit, discard all non-fruit plant parts and unripe fruits
• Keep kiwifruit plants and unripe fruits out of reach of pet birds, as they are highly susceptible to fatal toxicity
• Wear gloves when pruning or handling kiwifruit plants to avoid skin and mucosal irritation

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer decontamination and symptomatic therapy including mucosal protectants to reduce irritation
• Prescribe analgesics for pain, and glucocorticoids to reduce severe swelling and inflammation
• Provide calcium supplementation for cases of large-volume ingestion to counteract oxalate-related hypocalcemia
• Deliver supportive care for kidney injury, cardiac arrhythmia, or neurological symptoms as required

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameActinidia chinensis Planch.; Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C.F.Liang & A.R.Ferguson

AliasesKiwi、Chinese gooseberry

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Mucous membranesSkinEyesGastrointestinal tractKidneysHeartNervous system

Mechanism of Action

• Oxalate raphides cause direct physical irritation to mucosal membranes, skin, and eyes on contact

• Oxalates bind to bodily calcium, leading to hypocalcemia and crystal formation in renal tubules that cause kidney damage in large doses

• High doses of serotonin contribute to neurological and cardiac symptoms in cases of massive ingestion

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Birds: Severe toxicity (+++), ingestion of even small amounts of toxic kiwifruit plant parts can cause fatal organ damage and neurological symptoms

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Actinidia species Actinidia spp.

Other wild and cultivated Actinidia species are visually very similar to edible kiwifruit plants, but all are toxic; only ripe fruits of Actinidia chinensis and Actinidia deliciosa are confirmed safe for consumption

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Related Toxic Plants

Silver vine

Actinidia polygama

Low toxicity (all plant parts except ripe fruits cause mucosal and gastrointestinal irritation)

Hardy kiwi

Actinidia arguta

Low toxicity (unripe fruits and non-fruit plant parts cause gastrointestinal irritation and oxalate-related damage in large doses)

Red kiwifruit

Actinidia chinensis var. rufopulpa

Moderate toxicity (higher oxalate content in unripe plant parts than common cultivated kiwifruit variants)

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.