Cats & Dogs
Generally safeConsulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
Pet safety reference
String of Turtles
Peperomia prostrata
String of Turtles is a popular, slow-growing trailing succulent known for its delicate, turtle-shell patterned leaves. It is considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Peperomia prostrataTrailing Peperomia
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Habit
- Trailing
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
None expected; however, consumption of large quantities of fibrous plant material may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.
Escalation note
This plant is non-toxic. If your cat consumes a significant amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
None expected; however, consumption of large quantities of fibrous plant material may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.
Escalation note
This plant is non-toxic. If your dog consumes a significant amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.
Bring it home
String of Turtlesis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.
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Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Trailing Peperomia is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
Plants of the World Online - Peperomia prostrata
botanical · 95% reliability
Accepted botanical classification for Peperomia prostrata.
Questions about String of Turtles
Is String of Turtles toxic to cats?
String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata) is non-toxic to cats. It is considered generally safe for cat-owning households, with no toxic principles documented for this plant.
What happens if my cat eats String of Turtles?
No toxic effects are expected. Eating a small amount should not cause harm, but consuming a large quantity of the fibrous plant material may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea due to simple digestive irritation.
What should I do if my cat ate a lot of String of Turtles?
Monitor your cat for signs of GI upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. If symptoms are mild and brief, no urgent action is needed; if distress persists or symptoms seem severe, contact your veterinarian.
Does the turtle-shell pattern on String of Turtles leaves mean the plant is dangerous?
No — the distinctive patterned leaves are purely ornamental and contain no documented toxic compounds. The plant is non-toxic to cats regardless of how much leaf surface area is ingested, though large quantities of any plant material can cause temporary stomach upset.
Is String of Turtles toxic to dogs?
No, String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata) is non-toxic to dogs. It is considered generally safe for households with dogs, though non-toxic does not mean harmless in large quantities.
What happens if my dog eats String of Turtles?
No toxic reaction is expected. If your dog eats a significant amount of the fibrous plant material, it may experience mild vomiting or diarrhea from the bulk ingestion rather than any toxic compound.
What should I do if my dog ate a large amount of String of Turtles?
Monitor your dog for signs of digestive upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. If symptoms are persistent or your dog seems distressed, contact your veterinarian. Because this plant is non-toxic, emergency intervention is unlikely to be needed.
Can the trailing vines of String of Turtles be a hazard to dogs?
The plant itself is non-toxic, but hanging or trailing vines can tempt dogs to chew or pull the whole plant down. The main risk is GI upset from eating a large volume of plant material, not poisoning.
Same genus
More from the Peperomia genus
Emerald Ripple Peperomia
Peperomia caperata
The Emerald Ripple Peperomia is a popular, compact houseplant known for its deeply textured, heart-shaped leaves and ease of care. It is considered non-toxic to pets, making it a safe choice for households with cats and dogs.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Peperomia
Peperomia peltifolia
Peperomia is a diverse genus of popular, low-maintenance houseplants known for their thick, succulent-like foliage and compact growth habit. They are generally considered safe for households with pets, though individual plant parts can cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Generally safe for cats.
Not yet rated for dogs.
Baby Rubber Plant
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The American Rubber Plant is a popular, low-maintenance houseplant known for its thick, succulent-like leaves. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Ivy Peperomia
Peperomia griseoargentea
Ivy Peperomia is a popular, compact houseplant known for its textured, heart-shaped leaves and ease of care. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause mild digestive discomfort.
Not yet rated for cats.
Generally safe for dogs.
Same safety verdict
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Lipstick Plant
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Shrimp Cactus
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Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Same growing conditions
Plants for the same room
African Violet
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Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Gloxinia
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Purple Waffle Plant
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Generally safe for cats & dogs.