If you think your pet ate a toxic plant
Call your vet or an animal poison control line right away (in the US: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, (888) 426-4435, a fee may apply). Common signs include drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
Common houseplants that are toxic to pets
- Lilies (true lilies and daylilies): Extremely dangerous to cats. Even pollen or vase water can cause kidney failure.
- Sago palm: Severely toxic to dogs and cats. It can cause liver failure.
- Monstera: Calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.
- Dieffenbachia (dumb cane): Calcium oxalate causes oral pain, swelling and drooling.
- Jade plant: Can cause vomiting and lethargy in cats and dogs.
- Pothos: Toxic to cats, dogs and people if chewed. It contains calcium oxalate crystals.
- Snake Plant: Mildly toxic to cats and dogs (saponins).
- ZZ Plant: Toxic to cats, dogs and people if eaten (calcium oxalate).
- Fiddle Leaf Fig: Toxic to cats and dogs. The sap can irritate skin.
- Peace Lily: Toxic to cats and dogs (calcium oxalate). It is not a true lily.
- Rubber Plant: Toxic to cats and dogs. The sap can irritate skin.
- Aloe Vera: Toxic to cats and dogs if eaten (saponins and anthraquinones).
- Heartleaf Philodendron: Toxic to cats, dogs and people if chewed (calcium oxalate).
Pet-safe houseplants
- Spider Plant: Arching striped leaves and baby plantlets. It's easy to grow and safe for pets.
- Calathea: Patterned leaves that fold up at night. It's gorgeous, pet-safe and a bit fussy about water and humidity.
- Boston fern, parlor palm, prayer plant, African violet and haworthia are also listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA.
Always check the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant list for a specific plant. This page is general information, not veterinary advice.
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