Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Rosary Pea - what should I do?
Abrus precatorius
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, tremors, and potential organ failure.
Escalation note
The seeds are extremely toxic; ingestion of even a single seed can be fatal. Contact a veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.
What to watch for
Severe vomiting and diarrhea (sometimes bloody) developing over hours up to a day after ingestion; abdominal pain, bloat, weakness, fever, fast heart rate, and signs of shock such as pale gums, cold paws, and collapse.
Time window
Signs can begin within a few hours, but severe abdominal pain and hemorrhagic diarrhea may take up to a day after ingestion to fully appear. Without aggressive supportive care, severe dehydration and shock can be fatal.
When to call the vet
Call immediately. Even one chewed seed is a potential emergency — contact your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 the moment you see your cat with the seeds, before symptoms appear.
What this means for your cat
Cats are at extreme risk if they chew a Rosary Pea seed — abrin, the seed's main toxin, is one of the most potent plant poisons known, and even a single seed can be fatal once the hard coat is broken by chewing. Whole, intact seeds may pass through with less effect, but no amount of contact is safe to ignore.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance for owners).
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.