Is Kalanchoe Toxic to Dogs and Cats?

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.), also called flaming Katy or mother of millions, is toxic to both cats and dogs.

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).

Why

Kalanchoe is a popular flowering succulent. It contains bufadienolides, a type of cardiac glycoside.

Most pets that chew it have vomiting and diarrhea. Heart rhythm problems are uncommon but possible, especially if a large amount is eaten.

How to recognize it

Kalanchoe is a succulent with thick, scalloped, glossy leaves and dense clusters of small four-petaled flowers in red, orange, yellow or pink. It is often sold as a long-flowering gift plant.

Signs to watch for

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Abnormal heart rhythm (rare, with large amounts)

What to do

• Call your veterinarian for advice, especially for small pets or large amounts.
• Keep kalanchoe on shelves pets cannot reach, or choose a non-toxic flowering plant such as an African violet.

Which plants sold under other names are kalanchoes?

Kalanchoe is a large genus, and many of its members are sold under nicknames that do not mention it. The ASPCA groups them together as toxic to dogs and cats.

If a label only gives a common name, look up the Latin name before assuming a succulent is harmless.

• Flaming Katy or florist kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), the flowering gift plant
• Panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa), with fuzzy grey leaves tipped in brown
• Mother of millions, chandelier plant and devil's backbone, which grow tiny plantlets along their leaves
• Paddle plant or flapjacks (Kalanchoe luciae), with flat, round, red-edged leaves

Why are the tiny plantlets a problem?

Mother of millions and its relatives drop dozens of baby plants from the edges of their leaves. They fall onto windowsills, carpets and neighboring pots, where a cat or a puppy can pick them up without ever touching the parent plant.

These plantlets contain the same bufadienolides as the leaves. If you grow one of these types, check the floor and nearby surfaces regularly, and do not leave trimmings or broken stems in a trash can a dog can open. Dried or wilted pieces are still toxic.

What will the vet check if my pet ate a lot?

Because bufadienolides act on the heart in a way similar to digoxin, a vet treating a pet that ate a large amount will usually listen to the heart and may run an ECG to look for a slow or irregular rhythm. Bloodwork, including potassium levels, is common, since cardiac glycosides can disturb electrolytes.

The vet decides whether to empty the stomach or give activated charcoal. Many pets only need treatment for vomiting and diarrhea plus a period of observation, but small cats and dogs, or pets that ate flowers and leaves in quantity, may be kept for monitoring. Bring the plant or its label with you so the vet knows which species it is.

Pet-safe alternatives

Looking for something similar without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

• Non-toxicAfrican violet
• Non-toxicOrchids (moth orchid)

Common questions

Is kalanchoe poisonous to pets?

Cats: Toxic. Dogs: Toxic. Yes. Kalanchoe is toxic to dogs and cats.

Is it safe to keep kalanchoe in a home with cats and dogs?

Not within your pets' reach. Keep kalanchoe on shelves pets cannot reach, or choose a non-toxic flowering plant such as an African violet.

What should I do if my pet chews kalanchoe?

Call your veterinarian for advice, especially for small pets or large amounts.

Which pet-safe plants can I grow instead of kalanchoe?

African violet and orchids are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

← All plants

Sources

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
• Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.