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Pet safety

Is String of Nickels toxic to cats?

Dischidia nummularia

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists string of nickels 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. Dischidia is NOT listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so pet safety cannot be confirmed there. NC State Extension flags the genus (Dischidia ovata) as low-severity poison whose milky sap may cause mouth burning, vomiting, and diarrhoea in pets plus skin irritation, so treat as mildly toxic and keep away from pets and children pending veterinary advice.

What to do if your cat ate string of nickels

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

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

Is string of nickels toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is string of nickels toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists string of nickels 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. Dischidia is NOT listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so pet safety cannot be confirmed there. NC State Extension flags the genus (Dischidia ovata) as low-severity poison whose milky sap may cause mouth burning, vomiting, and diarrhoea in pets plus skin irritation, so treat as mildly toxic and keep away from pets and children pending veterinary advice.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats string of nickels?

Dischidia is NOT listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so pet safety cannot be confirmed there. NC State Extension flags the genus (Dischidia ovata) as low-severity poison whose milky sap may cause mouth burning, vomiting, and diarrhoea in pets plus skin irritation, so treat as mildly toxic and keep away from pets and children pending veterinary advice. 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 string of nickels.

What should I do if my cat ate string of nickels?

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 string of nickels toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: String of Nickels is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full string of nickels pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to string of nickels?

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 string of nickels pet-safety