Is Ricin safe for dogs and cats?

Dogs are highly susceptible to ricin toxicity from castor bean (Ricinus communis) ingestion. Dogs may chew castor beans found in landscaping or craft materials, releasing ricin from seed meal. Clinical signs appear 6–12 hours post-ingestion and include profuse vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and multi-organ failure — particularly gastrointestinal necrosis, hepatic necrosis, and renal failure — over 36–72 hours. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reports ricin from castor bean ingestion as one of the most severe plant toxicoses in dogs; prognosis is poor if more than a small number of seeds are ingested, particularly if treatment is delayed beyond 2 hours. Decontamination (induced emesis + activated charcoal within 1 hour of ingestion) followed by intensive supportive care is the standard approach. No ricin antidote is available for veterinary use.

Cats are equally susceptible to ricin toxicity through the same ribosome inactivation mechanism. Castor bean seeds used as garden ornamentals or found in bird seed mixes represent the primary exposure risk. The clinical course and treatment are identical to those in dogs — ribosome inactivation leading to GI necrosis, hepatorenal failure, and death within 3–5 days if untreated. ASPCA lists castor bean (Ricinus communis) as causing severe, potentially fatal toxicosis in cats. The combination of high intrinsic toxicity and absence of antidote makes ricin one of the most dangerous plant toxin exposures for cats.