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❧ Pet Safe Plants

Castor Bean Plant

Not listed does not mean safe.

Castor Bean Plant — Ricinus communis

Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · shows: Ricinus

Ricinus communis

Also known as: Castor Oil Plant, Mole Bean Plant, African Wonder Tree, Castor Bean

Family: Euphorbiaceae · ASPCA plant record

Verdict at a glance

🐱 Cats⚠ ToxicASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
🐶 Dogs⚠ ToxicASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
Show all animals

Evidence by animal

Sourced plant verdicts — read the original wording and scope
AnimalVerdictBasisPlant partsSourcesEvidence link
Companion mammals
CatsCats: ⚠ ToxicNot specified
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control
evidence
DogsDogs: ⚠ ToxicNot specified
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control
evidence
Horses & livestock
HorsesHorses: ⚠ ToxicNot specified
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control
evidence
Chickens & other poultryChickens & other poultry: ⚠ ToxicNot specified
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine University
evidence
Small mammals
RabbitsRabbits: ⚠ ToxicNot specified
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine University
evidence

Source excerpts

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Cats, Dogs, Horses

poison-control

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses

Source checked 2026-10-27

Read original source
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine — Toxic Plant Garden — Rabbits, Chickens & other poultry

university

UC Davis Toxic Plant Garden entry: Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)

Toxic to cats, dogs, horses, cows, poultry, rabbits

Source checked 2026-10-27

Read original source
No evidence collected in this database yet for 18 animals

No evidence collected in this database yet for: Guinea pigs, Hamsters, Rats, Mice, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Pet birds (general), Parrots (macaws, Amazons, African greys…), Budgerigars (budgies), Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Canaries, Finches, Pigeons & doves, Tortoises, Bearded dragons, Iguanas, Goats

No supported claim has been collected for these animals. Not listed does not mean safe; do not infer suitability from another species.

Toxic principles

ASPCA, as published: Ricin Source

Clinical signs

ASPCA, as published: Beans are very toxic: oral irritation, burning of mouth and throat, increase in thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, convulsions. Access to ornamental plants or pruned foliage most common in poisonings. Ricin is a highly toxic component that inhibits protein synthesis; ingestion of as little as one ounce of seeds can be lethal. Signs typically develop 12 to 48 hours after ingestion, and include loss of appetite, excessive thirst, weakness, colic, trembling, sweating, loss of coordination, difficulty breathing, progressive central nervous system depression, and fever. As syndrome progresses, bloody diarrhea may occur, and convulsions and coma can precede death. Source

Last verified (ASPCA record): 2026-10-27. Source access dates and limitations.

Similar plants (same family)

Shared family is not a shared verdict. Check each plant separately.