Ezina · A Field Manual for Plant Care · United States Vol. I · Ed. 2027 · Proof copy

§ Toxic plants · Fabaceae · Checked Oct 2026

Is precatory bean toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Precatory bean (Abrus precatorius) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Critical, level 4 of 4.

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Precatory bean (Abrus precatorius)
Photo: (c) coenobita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by coenobita, via iNaturalist

§ 010 · Signs

What to watch for

Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, fast heartbeat, fever and shock. Eaten in quantity, it can be fatal. Signs can start within hours; some take a day or more to show.

§ 020 · If it happened

What to do if your pet ate it

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline straight away, even if your pet seems fine: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours and charge a fee. Have the plant or a photo of it to hand, and don’t make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.

§ 030 · Same family

Other Fabaceae plants toxic to pets

Precatory bean belongs to the Fabaceae family. ASPCA lists these relatives too.

§ 040 · Questions

Questions about precatory bean and pets

Is precatory bean toxic to cats?

Yes. ASPCA lists precatory bean as toxic to cats.

Is precatory bean toxic to dogs?

Yes. ASPCA lists precatory bean as toxic to dogs.

What happens if my pet eats precatory bean?

Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, fast heartbeat, fever and shock. Eaten in quantity, it can be fatal. Plant Smart rates it Critical, level 4 of 4.

What should I do if my pet ate it?

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, even before signs appear: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both charge a fee. Have the plant, or a photo of it, to hand.

What else is precatory bean called?

Precatory bean is also sold or known as rosary pea, coral pea and jequirity bean.

Changes

5 Oct 2026: page drafted.

Sources

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.

Plant Smart: Plant Smart: plants toxic to pets.

Photo: (c) coenobita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by coenobita, via iNaturalist, source.

Checked Oct 2026.