Toxic to cats · Plants

Is Castor Bean toxic to cats?

Extreme severity No safe amount — No amount is considered safe.

Yes, Castor Bean is extremely toxic to cats. Even a small amount can be life-threatening, so treat any exposure as an emergency and contact a vet immediately. No amount is considered safe.

Symptoms to watch for

  • inappetance
  • drooling
  • abdominal pain
  • vomiting
  • severe bloody diarrhea
  • abdominal straining
  • weakness
  • trembling
  • hypotension
  • sudden collapse

How vets treat it

Immediate veterinary intervention is required for decontamination and supportive care; there is no specific antidote for ricin.

Why it's dangerous

Ricin is a glycoprotein that prevents protein synthesis within cells, leading to severe systemic damage and potential organ failure.

Toxic compound: Ricin and ricicine

Good to know

This plant has a very narrow margin of safety; death can occur with even a very small ingestion of the beans.

Sources

This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has been exposed to something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

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