Toxic and Safe Plants for Cats and Dogs
Search common house and garden plants to see whether they are safe for your cat or dog, what symptoms to watch for, and which pet-safe plants to choose instead.
Quick lists: Plants that are safe for cats and dogs · Plants that are toxic to cats
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Lilies
For cats, yes: true lilies and daylilies can cause fatal kidney failure. For dogs they are much less dangerous and usually cause only mild stomach upset.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Sago palm
Yes. Sago palm is highly toxic to both dogs and cats and can cause liver failure.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Oleander
Yes. Oleander is highly toxic to dogs and cats because it contains substances that affect the heart.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Azaleas and rhododendrons
Yes. Azaleas and rhododendrons are toxic to dogs and cats.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Lily of the valley
Yes. Lily of the valley is highly toxic to both dogs and cats and can affect the heart.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Tulips and hyacinths
Yes. Tulips and hyacinths are toxic to dogs and cats, especially the bulbs.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Daffodils
Yes. Daffodils are toxic to dogs and cats. The bulbs are the most dangerous part.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Autumn crocus
Yes. Autumn crocus is extremely toxic to dogs and cats. It is not the same as the spring crocus.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Cyclamen
Yes. Cyclamen is toxic to dogs and cats, especially the tuber (root).
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Kalanchoe
Yes. Kalanchoe is toxic to dogs and cats.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Toxic
Mistletoe
Yes. Mistletoe is toxic to cats and dogs, and large amounts can affect the heart and blood pressure.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
Dieffenbachia is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing it causes painful irritation of the mouth, but serious poisoning is uncommon.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Pothos (devil's ivy)
Pothos is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing pothos causes mouth irritation and drooling, but serious illness is rare.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Philodendron
Philodendron is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing philodendron causes mouth irritation, drooling and sometimes vomiting.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Monstera (Swiss cheese plant)
Monstera is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing monstera leaves irritates the mouth and can cause drooling and vomiting.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Peace lily
The peace lily is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Peace lilies irritate the mouth but, unlike true lilies, do not cause kidney failure in cats.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Eating aloe leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Jade plant
Jade plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Jade plant can cause vomiting and lethargy in cats and dogs.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Snake plant
Snake plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Snake plant can cause drooling, vomiting and diarrhea if chewed.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Poinsettia
Poinsettia is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Poinsettias can irritate the mouth and stomach, but serious poisoning is rare.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Holly
Holly is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea and drooling in cats and dogs, but serious poisoning is rare.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Christmas trees
Only mildly. Live Christmas trees can irritate the mouth and stomach, but serious poisoning is not expected.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Lucky bamboo
Lucky bamboo is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. It is a Dracaena, not a real bamboo, and chewing it can cause vomiting and drooling.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Its irritating sap can cause drooling, vomiting and skin irritation.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Chrysanthemums (mums)
Chrysanthemums are mildly toxic to cats and dogs. They can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and skin irritation, but serious poisoning is uncommon.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Hydrangea
Hydrangea is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. It usually causes vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy; true cyanide poisoning is rare.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Gardenia
Gardenia (cape jasmine) is mildly toxic to cats and dogs and can cause mild vomiting, diarrhea or hives.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
ZZ plant
The ZZ plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing a ZZ plant irritates the mouth and can cause drooling or vomiting, but serious illness is rare.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Arrowhead plant (Syngonium)
The arrowhead plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing Syngonium causes painful mouth irritation, drooling and sometimes vomiting, but serious poisoning is uncommon.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese evergreen is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing Aglaonema causes mouth pain, drooling and sometimes vomiting, but serious illness is rare.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Schefflera (umbrella tree)
Schefflera is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing schefflera leaves burns the mouth and can cause drooling and vomiting, but serious poisoning is uncommon.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Catnip
Catnip is mildly toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs. Cats that eat a lot of catnip may vomit or have diarrhea, but no serious poisoning is expected.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Spider plant
Yes. Spider plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Boston fern
Yes. Boston ferns are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Areca palm
Yes. Areca palms are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Calathea (prayer plant)
Yes. Calatheas and prayer plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
African violet
Yes. African violets are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Orchids (moth orchid)
Yes. Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Money tree (Pachira)
Yes. The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Christmas cactus
Yes. Christmas cactus is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Roses
Yes. Roses (Rosa) are non-toxic to cats and dogs, though their thorns can injure the mouth and paws.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Jasmine (Jasminum)
Yes. True jasmine (Jasminum) is non-toxic to cats and dogs, but some plants also called jasmine or jessamine are toxic.
- Cats · Non-toxicDogs · Non-toxic
Sunflowers
Yes. Sunflowers (Helianthus) are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
How to read the results
- Toxic Can cause serious illness. Keep it away from pets and contact a vet if it is eaten.
- Mildly toxic Usually causes mouth or stomach irritation that settles on its own, but can be worse in small pets.
- Non-toxic Listed as non-toxic. Eating a lot of any plant can still cause mild stomach upset.
If your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away and bring a photo or piece of the plant. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).