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Pet safety

Is Blue Chalksticks toxic to cats?

Curio repens (syn. Senecio serpens)

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists blue chalksticks as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Blue chalksticks (Curio repens / Senecio serpens) is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic-plant database, but the ASPCA names its close relative, string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), as causing stomach upset (mainly vomiting) and lethargy, and lists the wider Senecio group as toxic due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Because the genus is not clean, treat blue chalksticks as mildly toxic to cats and dogs, keep it out of reach, and verify with your vet if a pet ingests any; the sap can also irritate skin, so wear gloves when taking cuttings.

What to do if your cat ate blue chalksticks

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move blue chalksticks 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 blue chalksticks to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten blue chalksticks, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is blue chalksticks toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is blue chalksticks toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists blue chalksticks as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Blue chalksticks (Curio repens / Senecio serpens) is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic-plant database, but the ASPCA names its close relative, string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), as causing stomach upset (mainly vomiting) and lethargy, and lists the wider Senecio group as toxic due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Because the genus is not clean, treat blue chalksticks as mildly toxic to cats and dogs, keep it out of reach, and verify with your vet if a pet ingests any; the sap can also irritate skin, so wear gloves when taking cuttings.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats blue chalksticks?

Blue chalksticks (Curio repens / Senecio serpens) is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic-plant database, but the ASPCA names its close relative, string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), as causing stomach upset (mainly vomiting) and lethargy, and lists the wider Senecio group as toxic due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Because the genus is not clean, treat blue chalksticks as mildly toxic to cats and dogs, keep it out of reach, and verify with your vet if a pet ingests any; the sap can also irritate skin, so wear gloves when taking cuttings. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to blue chalksticks.

What should I do if my cat ate blue chalksticks?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is blue chalksticks toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Blue Chalksticks is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full blue chalksticks pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to blue chalksticks?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full blue chalksticks pet-safety