Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens), also called butterfly palm, is non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
Is areca palm toxic to cats?
Cats · Non-toxicNo. Areca palm is listed as non-toxic to cats. Do not confuse it with the sago palm, which looks somewhat similar but is highly toxic and can cause liver failure.
Is areca palm toxic to dogs?
Dogs · Non-toxicNo. Areca palm is listed as non-toxic to dogs. Pets that chew a lot of fronds may still vomit, so discourage chewing.
Why
The areca palm (Dypsis lutescens), also called butterfly palm, is non-toxic to pets, making it one of the safest large houseplants.
Do not confuse it with the sago palm, which looks somewhat similar but is highly toxic and can cause liver failure.
How to recognize it
Areca palm has clusters of slender, yellow-green, bamboo-like stems that carry long, feathery, arching fronds. Unlike the toxic sago palm, it has no stiff, spiky rosette of fronds and no short, thick trunk.
What to do
- Check the plant label for the botanical name when buying any palm.
- Pets that chew a lot of fronds may still vomit, so discourage chewing.
Why is the sago palm dangerous when the areca palm is not?
Despite the name, the sago palm is not a palm. It is a cycad, an old group of plants that contains cycasin and other toxins that damage the liver. All parts are toxic, and the seeds are the most dangerous. The ASPCA and the Merck Veterinary Manual both describe it as capable of causing liver failure in dogs and cats.
The areca palm is a true palm and contains nothing comparable. The two share a pot size and a feathery look, which is why the label matters more than the shape.
Which other palms are pet-safe, and which are not?
If you want a different palm, several common ones are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. Cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea) is the exception to watch for: like sago palm, it is a cycad and it is toxic.
- Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
- Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
- Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)
- Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), which is not a true palm but is still non-toxic
What can still go wrong with a large palm and a curious pet?
Areca fronds are long and fibrous. A cat that chews the tips or a puppy that tears off a whole leaflet may vomit, and a big piece can cause gagging. That is a physical problem, not poisoning, but call a vet if vomiting repeats or your pet stops eating.
Tall palms in lightweight plastic pots tip over easily when a cat climbs them or a dog knocks into them. A heavier outer pot helps.
Palms sold in big-box stores are often fertilized heavily. Remove any fertilizer spikes or pellets from the soil surface before bringing the plant home, and repot if the soil has a crust of white granules.
Toxic plants to tell apart from it
These look similar or are often sold alongside it. Check the label before buying.
Common questions
Is areca palm safe for pets?
Cats: Non-toxic. Dogs: Non-toxic. Yes. Areca palms are non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Is it safe to keep areca palm in a home with cats and dogs?
Yes. It is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Check the plant label for the botanical name when buying any palm.
What should I do if my pet chews areca palm?
There is usually no emergency, because areca palm is listed as non-toxic. Eating a lot of any plant can still cause mild stomach upset, so call a vet if vomiting continues.
Which toxic plants look like areca palm?
Watch out for sago palm: they look similar or are often sold alongside it. Check the botanical name on the label before buying.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.
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).