Is Spider Plant Safe for Cats and Dogs?

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

Why

The spider plant is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a popular choice for pet owners.

Many cats find its arching leaves irresistible. Eating a large amount of any plant can cause mild vomiting or diarrhea, so it is still worth keeping it slightly out of reach if your cat chews constantly.

How to recognize it

Spider plant has long, narrow, arching leaves, often green with a white or cream stripe, and long stems that carry small white flowers and baby plantlets. It is usually grown in hanging baskets or on high shelves.

What to do

• Hang it or place it on a shelf if your cat chews it down to the stems.
• Offer cat grass as a safe alternative for cats that like to chew greens.
• Check that fertilizers or pesticides used on the plant are pet-safe.

Why do cats go after spider plants so much?

Nobody knows for certain why cats chew plants. Common explanations are that they like the texture of grass-like leaves, or that chewing is simply play. The spider plant has both working against it: long, thin leaves that feel like grass, and dangling runners with baby plantlets that sway when a cat bats them.

You may read online that spider plants have a mild catnip-like or even hallucinogenic effect on cats. That claim is not supported by veterinary toxicology sources. The ASPCA simply lists the plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

What problems can a non-toxic spider plant still cause?

Non-toxic does not mean nothing can happen. A cat that eats a lot of leaves may vomit them back up, often within a few minutes, and usually seems fine afterward.

• Plantlets and long runners can be swallowed in large pieces. Watch for gagging or repeated vomiting.
• Hanging baskets can be pulled down, and a falling pot is a bigger hazard than the leaves.
• Shop plants may carry pesticide or fertilizer residue, so rinse the leaves and repot in fresh soil.
• Call a vet if vomiting continues, your pet stops eating, or it seems lethargic.

Which plants with "spider" in the name are not safe?

The name causes real confusion. Plants sold as spider lilies are bulbs from the amaryllis family, a group the ASPCA lists as toxic to pets. They are unrelated to the spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum.

Some dracaenas, especially the red-edged dragon tree (Dracaena marginata), also have long, narrow, striped leaves, and the ASPCA lists dracaenas as toxic to cats and dogs. A dracaena grows its leaves in tufts on top of a woody stem, while a spider plant forms a stemless rosette that sends out runners. Check the botanical name on the tag before you let a cat near either one.

Toxic plants to tell apart from it

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

• Mildly toxicPothos (devil's ivy)
• Mildly toxicPhilodendron

Common questions

Is spider plant safe for pets?

Cats: Non-toxic. Dogs: Non-toxic. Yes. Spider plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs.

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

Yes. It is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Hang it or place it on a shelf if your cat chews it down to the stems.

What should I do if my pet chews spider plant?

There is usually no emergency, because spider plant 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 spider plant?

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

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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).