Is Burro's Tail toxic to cats?
Burro's tail is non-toxic to cats (S0 Safe): the ASPCA lists Sedum morganianum as safe, and Pet Poison Helpline counts it among succulents that are non-toxic to pets — dropped leaves are a mess, not a hazard.
- TOXINnone — no toxic principles on record
- WHAT TO EXPECTno symptoms on record
- CALL THE VETSee a vet only if unusual or persistent symptoms follow ingestion.
Nothing to do — really
Care at a glance
FAQ
My cat knocked down a burro's tail and ate the fallen beads — is that dangerous?
No. The ASPCA lists burro's tail (Sedum morganianum) as "Non-Toxic to Cats," and Pet Poison Helpline names it among succulents that "are non-toxic to pets." PPH's broader note on Sedum species is that ingestion "could cause a bad taste in the mouth or mild stomach upset ... but not likely an urgent trip in to see your veterinarian." The plump leaves drop at a touch and roll — cat bait by design — so expect scattered beads, not a poisoning. Call your vet only if stomach upset persists.
Is the donkey tail plant poisonous?
No. Donkey's tail, burro's tail, horse's tail, and lamb's tail are all the same plant, Sedum morganianum, and the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses with no toxic principle on record — S0 Safe here. Pet Poison Helpline agrees: its pet-safe plants article names "Burrow’s tail" (its spelling) among succulents that are non-toxic to pets, adding that Sedum as a group "could cause a bad taste in the mouth or mild stomach upset." So a pet that eats the fallen beads may end up with a mildly upset stomach, which PPH says is not likely to need an urgent vet trip. The beads drop at a touch, which makes this plant a mess around pets rather than a risk; hang it out of reach.
My dog ate the fallen beads from a burro's tail — what now?
There's no toxin on record to worry about. The ASPCA lists burro's tail (Sedum morganianum) as "Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses." Pet Poison Helpline names Sedum among popular succulents that "could cause a bad taste in the mouth or mild stomach upset if ingested, but not likely an urgent trip in to see your veterinarian." So the beads are not a poisoning risk, though your dog may get a mildly upset stomach. If the upset doesn't settle, call your vet.
Are other sedums and succulents safe for dogs too?
Some are, but not all succulents. The ASPCA lists two other Sedum entries as non-toxic: Ghost Plant (Sedum weinbergii, also called Mother of Pearl) and Hardy Baby Tears (Sedum album, also called Stonecrop), each reading "Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats." We have not graded those plants ourselves. The bigger point is that being a succulent says nothing about safety: Pet Poison Helpline notes that some succulents are non-toxic to pets "but other such as Kalanchoe can be very toxic," and our index grades kalanchoe S3 for dogs (kalanchoe for dogs). Check the scientific name before you assume.