Is Rubber Plant Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica), also called rubber tree or Indian rubber plant, is mildly toxic to both cats and dogs.

Why

Rubber plants are figs (Ficus). The ASPCA lists Ficus, including the plant it calls Indian rubber plant, as toxic to cats and dogs, with gastrointestinal and skin irritation as the signs. The milky sap contains an enzyme (ficin) and psoralens (ficusin) that irritate tissue.

Pet Poison Helpline lists the common rubber tree among its Ficus plants and describes the effects as irritation of the mouth, stomach and skin. Serious poisoning is not expected.

How to recognize it

The rubber plant is a tree-like houseplant with large, thick, glossy, oval leaves, often dark green, burgundy or variegated with cream and pink. New leaves emerge from a red or pink sheath at the stem tip, and a broken leaf or stem bleeds white, sticky sap. The baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is a much smaller, unrelated plant with fleshy leaves.

Signs to watch for

• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Red or itchy skin where sap touched

What to do

• Rinse your pet's mouth with water and wash any sap off the fur and skin with mild soap.
• Call your vet if vomiting continues or your pet stops eating.
• Wipe up sap and pick up fallen or pruned leaves right away.

Which plants called "rubber plant" are actually safe?

The name covers several unrelated plants, and their ratings differ. Checking the botanical name on the label is the only reliable way to know which one you have.

• Rubber plant or rubber tree, Ficus elastica: mildly toxic, with irritating sap.
• Weeping fig, Ficus benjamina: listed by the ASPCA as toxic under the names fig, weeping fig and Indian rubber plant, with the same irritating sap.
• Baby rubber plant or American rubber plant, Peperomia obtusifolia: listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Jade plant, Crassula: the ASPCA lists dwarf, Chinese and Japanese rubber plant among its other names. It is toxic and can cause vomiting, depression and incoordination.

Why does the sap matter more than the leaves?

A rubber plant leaf is thick and leathery, and most pets give up after a bite or two. The problem is the white sap, which flows freely from any cut, tear or bite mark. It is what irritates the mouth and stomach, and it can also irritate skin on contact.

This makes pruning time riskier than everyday life with the plant. If you trim a rubber plant, do it away from pets, seal the cut ends with a damp paper towel until they stop dripping, and do not leave cuttings on the floor. A dog that carries off a fresh branch can end up with sap around its lips and on its paws.

What if my dog chewed a whole leaf or the stem?

Most dogs that chew a rubber plant drool, vomit once or twice, or have soft stool, and then recover without treatment. Large rubber plants grow woody stems, and a puppy that strips a branch may swallow tough pieces that are hard to digest. Repeated vomiting, a painful belly or refusing food are reasons to call a vet.

If sap got into an eye, flush it gently with plenty of clean water and have a vet check it if the eye stays red, watery or half closed.

Pet-safe alternatives

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

• Non-toxicMoney tree (Pachira)
• Non-toxicAreca palm

Common questions

Is rubber plant poisonous to pets?

Cats: Mildly toxic. Dogs: Mildly toxic. The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Its irritating sap can cause drooling, vomiting and skin irritation.

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

Yes, as long as your pets cannot reach it. Wipe up sap and pick up fallen or pruned leaves right away.

What should I do if my pet chews rubber plant?

Rinse your pet's mouth with water and wash any sap off the fur and skin with mild soap. Call your vet if vomiting continues or your pet stops eating.

Which pet-safe plants can I grow instead of rubber plant?

Money tree and areca palm are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

← All plants

Sources

• Pet Poison Helpline. Ficus.
• 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).