Yes, string of dolphins is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. But the string of dolphins pet toxicity rating sits at the low end of the scale. Think of a curious cat batting at a trailing strand of those little dolphin leaves. That is the exact scene worth stopping before it starts. The plant is toxic to cats and toxic to dogs only when chewed. The trouble lives in the leaves and the sap.
NC State Extension rates this plant's toxicity as Low. That matters. A low rating means a small nibble is far more likely to cause an upset stomach than a true emergency. Most pets that taste a leaf and walk away will be fine within a day.
The toxic part is a group of compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. They sit in the leaves and the sap. In large amounts they can stress the liver over time. But one chewed strand is a far cry from a steady habit. The full story lives in the main guide. Here, the short version is all you need.
If your pet does swallow some, watch for vomiting and diarrhea. These are the two symptoms NC State lists for ingestion. They usually show up within a few hours. They tend to pass on their own once the plant clears the gut. It works the same way a bit of grass or any odd snack moves through a cat or dog.
A tiny taste usually means a queasy hour or two. Call your vet if your pet eats a large amount, keeps vomiting, or seems weak, dull, or off its food.
Cats are the bigger risk by far. They love to swat and pounce on anything that dangles. A string of dolphins hanging off a shelf moves just enough to look like prey. Dogs care less about a trailing plant. But a bored puppy will still mouth a low strand if it droops near the floor. Keep the plant where neither animal can reach it and you remove the whole problem at once.
People should treat the plant the same way. The same sap that upsets a pet can give a young child a sore stomach if a leaf gets chewed. Small kids explore with their mouths, so a low pot is a hazard for them too. The fix is the same one that protects your animals. Put height between the plant and small hands or paws.
The easiest fix is height. Hang the plant in a basket near the ceiling. Or set it on a tall shelf with nothing nearby for a cat to climb. A spot above a doorway works well. So does a high window the cat cannot reach. The strands can grow long and pretty up there without ever swinging into paw range. Just make sure no chair, bookcase, or counter gives a cat a launch point.
Handling the plant takes one small habit too. Wear gloves when you take or pot up cuttings, because the same sap that bothers a pet's gut can irritate your skin. Wash your hands after any pruning, and keep snipped strands swept up off the floor so a pet does not find a stray piece later. A dropped cutting is the one most people forget.
So the honest answer is simple. String of dolphins earns a spot in a pet home as long as you hang it high and clean up your trimmings. Get 16 inches or more of clearance above any cat-accessible surface and you can grow this one with peace of mind.
Read the full article: String of Dolphins Care Guide
