Growli

Pet safety

Is Living Stonestoxic to cats & dogs?

Lithops karasmontana

Pet-safeRHS H1cUSDA 10-11

Quick verdict — at a glance

Toxic to cats?
No — non-toxic
Toxic to dogs?
No — non-toxic
ASPCA classification
Pet-safe · botanical name Lithops karasmontana

Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List

Is living stones safe for cats and dogs?

Yes — ASPCA non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Living Stones is a sensible choice for a pet household; a curious nibble will not poison anyone. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, the most widely used reference for companion-animal plant safety in the US and the standard most UK vets cite as well. ASPCA-listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses under the common name Living Stones (genus Lithops, family Aizoaceae). No toxic principles are reported. As with any plant, ingestion may still cause mild stomach upset, so discourage nibbling.

Living Stones toxicity to cats and dogs per the ASPCA
PetToxic?Per ASPCA
CatsNoPet-safe
DogsNoPet-safe

What happens if a pet eats living stones?

Because living stones is non-toxic, a curious nibble will not poison a cat or dog. That said, no plant is meant to be eaten: a large quantity of any foliage can still cause mild, short-lived stomach upset or vomiting simply through fibre and volume. Persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, or lethargy after eating any plant is always worth a call to your vet, because the reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or a pesticide rather than the plant itself.

What to do if your pet ate living stones

  1. Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move living stones out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of living stones to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide rather than the plant. If you are worried, always contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Living Stones and pets — frequently asked questions

Is living stones toxic to cats?

Living Stones (Lithops karasmontana) is non-toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. ASPCA-listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses under the common name Living Stones (genus Lithops, family Aizoaceae). No toxic principles are reported. As with any plant, ingestion may still cause mild stomach upset, so discourage nibbling. It is a sensible pick for a cat household, though no plant should be a regular snack.

Is living stones toxic to dogs?

Per the ASPCA, Living Stones (Lithops karasmontana) is non-toxic to dogs. Dogs that gulp large amounts of any foliage can still get a mild, brief stomach upset, so discourage grazing even on a non-toxic plant.

What happens if my pet eats living stones?

Because living stones is non-toxic, a curious nibble will not poison a cat or dog. That said, no plant is meant to be eaten: a large quantity of any foliage can still cause mild, short-lived stomach upset or vomiting simply through fibre and volume. Persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, or lethargy after eating any plant is always worth a call to your vet, because the reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or a pesticide rather than the plant itself.

What should I do if my cat or dog ate living stones?

Stay calm. Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth and take the plant away so they cannot eat more. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of living stones to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.

Which other plants are safe for cats and dogs?

Reliable non-toxic houseplants on the ASPCA list include spider plant, areca palm, calathea, peperomia, and most true ferns. You can browse Growli's full pet-safety library to check any plant before you buy it, and every entry cites the ASPCA classification it is based on.

Full living stones care

Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete living stones care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.