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Majesty palms (Ravenea rivularis) are listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA, as well as to dogs and horses. That answer applies only when the plant has been correctly identified. “Palm” is not a safety category: sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is severely toxic and can cause life-threatening illness. Check the botanical name on the label, and contact a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) if the plant is uncertain, the cat is showing symptoms, or a potentially toxic palm may have been eaten.
This guide explains how to tell a majesty palm from a sago palm, what the non-toxic listing does and does not mean, what signs to watch for, and how to decide whether the plant fits a cat-owning home.
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No. The ASPCA’s species-specific record identifies Majesty Palm (also called “Majestic Palm”) as Ravenea rivularis and lists it as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. You can read the current entry in the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant database.
“Non-toxic” is a classification for the correctly identified plant; it is not a guarantee that every cat will feel well after chewing leaves. A cat could still vomit or develop diarrhea from eating plant material, and residues such as fertilizer, insecticide or leaf-shine products are separate hazards. If the species is not certain, treat the situation as an identification problem rather than assuming a palm is safe.
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How do I verify that my plant is really a majesty palm?
Look for the scientific name Ravenea rivularis on the nursery tag, receipt or grower’s listing. Common names are useful for shopping but can be applied inconsistently, so the botanical name is the decisive check.
- Names used by the ASPCA: Majesty Palm and Majestic Palm.
- Scientific identity: Ravenea rivularis.
- Typical houseplant setting: a feathery, trunk-forming palm sold in a container.
- Potential size: the UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Cooperative Extension fact sheet says plants can reach about 15–20 feet, although an indoor specimen may remain much smaller for years.
If the tag says only “palm,” “tropical palm” or another marketing name, ask the nursery for the Latin name before bringing it within reach of a cat. Photographing the entire plant, its label and the pot can help a veterinarian or poison-control specialist identify it later.
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Sago palm is not a true palm. It is Cycas revoluta, a cycad, and the ASPCA describes it as severely toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA warns that ingestion can lead to serious gastrointestinal and neurologic illness and potentially liver failure, and advises contacting a veterinarian promptly after ingestion. Details are in the ASPCA’s guidance on houseplant safety.
Sago palms are often sold with “palm” in the common name, which is why relying on a picture or a store sign is risky. Never apply the majesty-palm listing to a sago palm, and do not wait for symptoms if you suspect a cat has eaten Cycas revoluta.
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| Plant name | Scientific name | ASPCA classification | What to do if a cat may have eaten it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majesty (Majestic) palm | Ravenea rivularis | Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses | Confirm the identity; call a veterinarian if symptoms occur or the exposure is uncertain |
| Sago palm | Cycas revoluta | Severely toxic | Contact a veterinarian promptly; do not wait for signs to worsen |
What should I do if my cat chewed a majesty palm?
For a plant you have positively identified as Ravenea rivularis, move the plant away and observe your cat. If the amount eaten, the plant identity or any chemical treatment is uncertain, call your veterinarian or the APCC for case-specific advice rather than relying on the common name.
- Remove access. Put the plant in a closed room or another location the cat cannot reach. Keep the label, receipt and any product used on the plant.
- Record the exposure. Note the approximate time, which part was chewed and whether fertilizer, pesticide or other treatment was recently applied. A photo of the plant can be useful.
- Check the species. Confirm that the label says Ravenea rivularis, not Cycas revoluta or an unidentified “palm.”
- Call for advice when needed. Contact your veterinarian for symptoms, an unknown species, a suspected sago palm exposure or any concern about a product on the leaves. The ASPCA and Associated Press materials list the APCC number as (888) 426-4435; verify current availability and any fee or regional limitations when you call.
- Follow professional instructions. Do not give home remedies or attempt treatment based on a generic internet list. A poison-control professional can advise whether monitoring or an examination is appropriate for the specific cat and exposure.
A correctly identified majesty palm is not treated as a sago-palm emergency by the ASPCA classification. That distinction should not delay a call when the plant cannot be identified or the cat is unwell.
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Call promptly if your cat develops vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, marked lethargy, weakness, loss of coordination, breathing difficulty, seizures or other behavior that is clearly abnormal. Dr. Tina Wismer, veterinarian and senior director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, told the Associated Press that “The most common outward signs of any toxicity in pets will be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and drooling.” Those signs are not specific to palms, so they cannot identify the plant or prove poisoning.
Urgency is higher when the plant may be sago palm, the cat is very young or medically fragile, a large amount may have been swallowed, or a pesticide, fertilizer or other chemical was involved. The APCC’s reported 2021 workload included more than 31,500 calls about pets ingesting potentially toxic indoor and outdoor plants and flowers. That is a call count, not a count of confirmed poisonings and not a statistic specific to majesty palms.
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Does “non-toxic” mean a cat can safely eat as much as it wants?
No. The ASPCA listing means the species is not expected to contain the toxic principles associated with plants classified as poisonous. It does not make deliberate eating desirable, and it does not cover every substance that might be on a leaf or in potting soil.
Plant fibers can upset an individual cat’s stomach, and a cat can choke on or regurgitate material. Soil may contain fertilizer granules, and treated foliage may carry insecticide or fungicide residues. Keep the product label for anything applied to the plant and ask a veterinarian about that product if exposure occurred.
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Is a majesty palm a practical houseplant for a cat-owning home?
Its ASPCA classification makes a correctly identified majesty palm a reasonable option for households that want this look, but its care and size still matter. The UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Cooperative Extension fact sheet recommends bright indirect light, high humidity and soil that stays moist while draining well. Overwatering can cause root rot.
- Light: Choose bright, indirect light. Harsh direct sun through glass can scorch foliage, while very dim conditions can weaken growth.
- Water: Keep the mix moist but not waterlogged, and use a container with drainage. Letting the pot sit in runoff increases the risk of root problems.
- Humidity: Dry indoor air can produce brown tips and a stressed-looking plant. A naturally humid room is helpful, but any humidifier or tray must be kept safely away from cords and curious cats.
- Space: Plan for a potentially large plant. A small store specimen can eventually outgrow a shelf or narrow walkway.
- Access: Even a non-toxic plant should be placed where a cat cannot tip the pot, chew repeatedly or dig in treated soil.
These requirements can be more demanding than the toxicity question. If your home cannot provide adequate light or stable moisture, another correctly identified, ASPCA-listed non-toxic plant may be a better fit—but compare species by their scientific names, not by “palm” or another broad common name.
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Can cat grass stop a cat from chewing the palm?
Catster’s article on majesty palms suggests offering cat grass as a possible diversion for a cat attracted to leaves. It is an optional enrichment idea, not a proven barrier and not a substitute for restricting access. A cat may ignore the grass, continue chewing the palm or ingest the growing medium, so supervise introductions and remove any plant your cat repeatedly eats.
The Catster page was updated October 13, 2026 and credits Dr. Lorna Whittemore MRCVS as its veterinary reviewer. That is a reviewer credit for that article; it is not an examination of an individual cat and does not change the ASPCA’s species-specific classification.
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What if I cannot identify the plant?
Do not reassure yourself from a generic photograph or the word “palm.” Separate the cat from the plant, preserve the label or purchase information, and contact a veterinarian or the APCC if chewing occurred or symptoms appear. The ASPCA’s general guidance is to seek professional advice when a pet may have ingested a potentially toxic plant.
When calling, provide the cat’s age and weight if known, the time and estimated amount eaten, the plant’s scientific name or clear photos, and details of any fertilizer or pesticide. If the plant is later confirmed as Ravenea rivularis, tell the professional that as well; precise identification prevents the severe sago-palm warning from being incorrectly applied or overlooked.
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How can I prevent future plant-ingestion problems?
- Keep a plant inventory with each pot’s scientific name and a photo of its label.
- Quarantine new plants until you have confirmed their identity and checked every product used on them.
- Use stable, heavy pots and barriers that prevent a cat from knocking plants over.
- Remove fallen leaves and spilled soil promptly.
- Teach everyone in the household that “palm” does not mean “safe,” especially when shopping for gifts or replacement plants.
- Store the veterinarian’s number and the APCC contact details where they are easy to find.
The practical rule is simple: a verified Ravenea rivularis is listed as non-toxic, but an unidentified palm is not automatically safe. Species confirmation, sensible placement and timely professional advice cover the risks the common name cannot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are majesty palms safe for dogs as well as cats?
Yes. The ASPCA entry for Ravenea rivularis lists the plant as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The same identification warning applies: do not extend that listing to sago palm or an unidentified plant.
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The ASPCA warns that sago palm ingestion can lead to severe illness and potential liver failure, so contact a veterinarian promptly rather than waiting for symptoms. The exact course depends on the animal and exposure and must be assessed by a professional.
Should I throw away a majesty palm after my cat nibbles it?
Not necessarily if you have confirmed it is Ravenea rivularis and no treatment chemical was involved. Move it out of reach, monitor for illness, and ask your veterinarian about any symptoms or repeated chewing; persistent access is a management problem even when the species is non-toxic.
Where can I find the official majesty-palm toxicity listing?
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center maintains a species-specific page for Majesty Palm, giving the scientific name Ravenea rivularis and its non-toxic classification. Use that record and the plant’s label together when verifying what you own.
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