Pet safety
Is Ric Rac Cactustoxic to cats & dogs?
Disocactus anguliger
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- No — non-toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- No — non-toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Pet-safe · botanical name Disocactus anguliger
Is ric rac cactus safe for cats and dogs?
Yes — ric rac cactus is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is one of the safer picks for a home where pets share the floor space. 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. The ASPCA does not individually list Disocactus (Epiphyllum) anguliger, but it does list its close congener, the Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses, and no cactus in the family Cactaceae is on the ASPCA toxic list. On that basis the ric rac cactus is regarded as pet-safe and contains no known toxic compounds. As a sensible caveat, the stems carry small bristly spines along the notches and new growth, and chewing any houseplant can cause mild, transient stomach upset, so keep it out of reach of determined nibblers.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | No | Pet-safe |
| Dogs | No | Pet-safe |
What happens if a pet eats ric rac cactus?
Because ric rac cactus 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 ric rac cactus
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move ric rac cactus out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of ric rac cactus 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.
Ric Rac Cactus and pets — frequently asked questions
Is ric rac cactus toxic to cats?
Ric Rac Cactus (Disocactus anguliger) is pet-safe to cats according to the ASPCA. The ASPCA does not individually list Disocactus (Epiphyllum) anguliger, but it does list its close congener, the Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses, and no cactus in the family Cactaceae is on the ASPCA toxic list. On that basis the ric rac cactus is regarded as pet-safe and contains no known toxic compounds. As a sensible caveat, the stems carry small bristly spines along the notches and new growth, and chewing any houseplant can cause mild, transient stomach upset, so keep it out of reach of determined nibblers. It is a sensible pick for a cat household, though no plant should be a regular snack.
Is ric rac cactus toxic to dogs?
The ASPCA lists the same toxicity status for dogs as for cats: Ric Rac Cactus is pet-safe. 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 ric rac cactus?
Because ric rac cactus 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 ric rac cactus?
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 ric rac cactus 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 ric rac cactus care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete ric rac cactus care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.