Are Orchids Safe for Cats and Dogs?

Orchids (Phalaenopsis spp.), also called moth orchids, are non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

Why

Phalaenopsis, the moth orchid sold in most supermarkets and garden centers, is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

The bigger risk comes from what is used on the plant: orchid fertilizers and some pesticides can be harmful if a pet chews the leaves or drinks the drainage water.

How to recognize it

Moth orchids have a few broad, thick leaves at the base and long, arching stems of flat, wide flowers in white, pink, purple or yellow, often with a patterned lip. They are usually sold in clear pots filled with bark.

What to do

• Keep fertilizers and their drainage water away from pets.
• Bark potting mix can cause an upset stomach if eaten, so discourage digging.

Is every plant sold as an orchid safe?

Not every plant sold as an orchid is automatically safe. The orchid family is one of the largest plant families in the world, with thousands of species. The ASPCA listing that most owners rely on covers the moth orchid, Phalaenopsis, which is the one sold in almost every supermarket.

Specialty orchids such as Oncidium, Dendrobium or Cattleya are less common in homes. If you buy one, look up the genus on the tag in the ASPCA plant database rather than assuming the whole family is covered.

What parts of a potted orchid can hurt a pet?

Store-bought orchids come with more than a plant. Most of the hazards are the extras added for display.

• Plastic clips and wire ties holding the flower spike: small enough for a cat or dog to swallow.
• Bamboo or metal stakes: sharp ends can injure a pet that chews or knocks the pot over.
• Bark chips and sphagnum moss: eating them can cause vomiting or, in larger amounts, a blockage.
• Decorative gravel or glass beads on top of the soil: a choking and swallowing risk for dogs.

Why does an orchid gift basket need a second look?

Orchids are often sold in arrangements with other plants. Flowering kalanchoe, which is toxic to cats and dogs, is a common companion in mixed gift pots, and cut lilies sometimes appear in the same bouquets as orchid stems. Lilies are especially dangerous for cats.

Before placing a gift arrangement where pets can reach it, identify each plant in it. If you can't, take the extra plants out or put the whole arrangement in a room the pets don't use.

Cats also like to bat at the swaying flower spike. That usually breaks the spike, and a chewed petal is not a poisoning concern. A high shelf or a closed room while the plant is in bloom protects the flowers and keeps the clips and stakes away from pets.

Toxic plants to tell apart from it

These look similar or are often sold alongside it. Check the label before buying.

• ToxicKalanchoe

Common questions

Are orchids safe for pets?

Cats: Non-toxic. Dogs: Non-toxic. Yes. Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are non-toxic to cats and dogs.

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

Yes. They are listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Keep fertilizers and their drainage water away from pets.

What should I do if my pet chews orchids?

There is usually no emergency, because orchids are 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 orchids?

Watch out for kalanchoe: they look similar or are often sold alongside it. Check the botanical name on the label before buying.

← All plants

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).