Some houseplants cause painful mouth irritation when chewed; others can trigger organ failure. Easter lilies are a kidney emergency for cats, while sago palms can cause severe liver injury in dogs and cats. If your pet may have eaten a plant, identify it if you can and contact a veterinarian promptly.
Which houseplants can cause trouble for pets?
The risk depends on the plant and the animal. Dumb cane, calla lily, pothos or devil’s ivy, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, elephant ear, and philodendron varieties contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth and digestive tract when chewed. ASPCA’s plant database identifies these among plants that can be harmful to pets.
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Easter lilies and sago palms pose a different, more serious concern: possible injury to internal organs. The table distinguishes the risks described by ASPCA; it is not a complete toxicity ranking.
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|---|---|---|
| Dumb cane, calla lily, pothos/devil’s ivy, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, elephant ear, and philodendron varieties | Mouth and gastrointestinal irritation | Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals can cause drooling, retching, vomiting, and diarrhea. Rarely, swelling can affect breathing or swallowing. ASPCA |
| Easter lily | Cats: kidney injury, potentially fatal | Very small exposures, including pollen, can be dangerous. Kidney failure may develop within 48–72 hours. ASPCA |
| Sago palm | Dogs and cats: possible liver damage and liver failure | ASPCA identifies cycasin as the toxic principle. ASPCA |
What symptoms can these plants cause?
Calcium oxalate plants
Chewing a plant containing insoluble calcium oxalates can cause nausea, drooling, retching, vomiting, and diarrhea. Swelling is rare but may make swallowing or breathing difficult. If breathing or swallowing is affected, go directly to a veterinary hospital.
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Easter lilies and sago palms
With Easter lilies, the critical concern is kidney injury in cats; do not wait for symptoms after a possible exposure. Sago palm exposure can injure the liver in dogs and cats. ASPCA’s listing describes possible liver damage and liver failure; it does not establish a safe amount for an individual pet.
What should you do if your pet chews or eats a plant?
- Move your pet away from the plant. If safe, keep a sample or take a clear photo so a veterinary professional can help identify it.
- Call a veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. ASPCA advises contacting a veterinarian or its poison-control service after suspected ingestion. A consultation fee may apply; verify current details when calling.
- Go directly to a veterinary hospital for breathing or swallowing trouble. ASPCA advises immediate hospital care for these signs rather than waiting for a phone consultation.
- Share what you know. Tell the veterinary professional the plant’s name if known, which part may have been chewed, when it happened, and what symptoms you have observed.
Do not assume a plant is harmless because your pet seems well immediately afterward. For Easter lily exposure in cats, kidney failure may develop within 48–72 hours, so contact a professional promptly even if signs have not appeared.
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How can you check a plant’s identity?
Common names can overlap, and a plant may look different from the photo in a database. Compare the plant’s scientific name as well as its common name, and ask a knowledgeable professional to confirm it if uncertain. ASPCA’s dog listing associates devil’s ivy, pothos, and golden pothos with Epipremnum aureum. Check ASPCA’s plant database for listings, but do not treat a missing entry as proof of safety.
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The list above is a selection, not a complete catalog of risky plants. ASPCA notes that its plant list is not all-inclusive and that any plant material may cause vomiting or gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. When ingestion is possible, confirm the plant and seek veterinary guidance rather than relying on a common name or list alone.
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