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If your cat ate string of pearls — do this now

  1. Take the plant away and clear any pieces from their mouth.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless told to by a professional.
  3. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 now.

String of pearls is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate String of pearls — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take string of pearls away and remove any plant material from your cat's mouth so they cannot eat more.
  2. Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
  3. Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice.
  5. Watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy, and bring a leaf or photo to the appointment.

This is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide as well as the plant. When in doubt, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.

My cat ate string of pearls — FAQ

Is string of pearls poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus)) as toxic to cats. Treat string of pearls as toxic to cats and dogs. It is not on the ASPCA's formal toxic-plant list, but the ASPCA's succulent-safety guidance says that if ingested it causes stomach upset — predominantly vomiting — and lethargy; the irritant sap can also inflame skin and eyes on contact. The exact toxic compound is unconfirmed (suspected alkaloids), so keep strands out of reach and call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if a pet chews it.

How serious is it if my cat ate string of pearls?

String of pearls is toxic to cats and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet or poison control on (888) 426-4435 straight away rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.

What symptoms should I watch for?

Signs usually appear soon after chewing: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy. Treat string of pearls as toxic to cats and dogs. It is not on the ASPCA's formal toxic-plant list, but the ASPCA's succulent-safety guidance says that if ingested it causes stomach upset — predominantly vomiting — and lethargy; the irritant sap can also inflame skin and eyes on contact. The exact toxic compound is unconfirmed (suspected alkaloids), so keep strands out of reach and call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if a pet chews it. Any worsening or persistent symptoms warrant an immediate vet visit.

Should I make my cat vomit?

No — do not induce vomiting unless a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call (888) 426-4435 and follow professional advice.

How do I stop this happening again?

Move string of pearls well out of reach, or replace it with a pet-safe look-alike — good cat-safe swaps include burro's tail, string of hearts, christmas cactus, all ASPCA non-toxic. See pet-safe alternatives to string of pearls.

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