Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Sally-My-Handsome toxic to cats?

Carpobrotus acinaciformis

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sally-my-handsome 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. Carpobrotus acinaciformis is not individually listed by ASPCA as toxic to cats or dogs. The fruits are edible and have been eaten fresh and used in jams in South Africa, but the plant has not been formally assessed for pet safety. Mild gastrointestinal upset is possible if ingested in quantity by pets. Treat with appropriate caution.

What to do if your cat ate sally-my-handsome

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move sally-my-handsome 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 sally-my-handsome to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is sally-my-handsome toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is sally-my-handsome toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sally-my-handsome 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. Carpobrotus acinaciformis is not individually listed by ASPCA as toxic to cats or dogs. The fruits are edible and have been eaten fresh and used in jams in South Africa, but the plant has not been formally assessed for pet safety. Mild gastrointestinal upset is possible if ingested in quantity by pets. Treat with appropriate caution.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats sally-my-handsome?

Carpobrotus acinaciformis is not individually listed by ASPCA as toxic to cats or dogs. The fruits are edible and have been eaten fresh and used in jams in South Africa, but the plant has not been formally assessed for pet safety. Mild gastrointestinal upset is possible if ingested in quantity by pets. Treat with appropriate caution. 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 sally-my-handsome.

What should I do if my cat ate sally-my-handsome?

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 sally-my-handsome toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Sally-My-Handsome is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full sally-my-handsome pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to sally-my-handsome?

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 sally-my-handsome pet-safety