🪴 Toxic Houseplants for Dogs and Cats: What Pet Parents Need to Know
Fetch Pet BoutiqueIf you share your Etobicoke condo or home with a dog or cat and a jungle of houseplants, you’re not alone. But many popular plants are surprisingly toxic to pets — and cats, especially, are very good at nibbling what they shouldn’t, even if placed high up.
This guide breaks down some of the most common toxic houseplants (the list is not exhaustive, and you should always double check toxicity before inviting a plant into your home), notes when risk differs for dogs vs. cats and offers pet-safer alternatives.
If you ever suspect your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your vet right away or call ASPCA Poison Control at their 24-hour hotline (1-855-764-7661). ASPCA
Quick safety notes
● Any plant can cause mild stomach upset if eaten in large amounts.
● Some plants (like lilies for cats, sago palms for dogs and cats) can be life-threatening even in small amounts.
● When in doubt, move the plant out of reach or re-home it to a pet-free friend.
Plants that are highly toxic to both dogs 🐶 and cats 🐱
These are plants we suggest keeping out of any pet home.
1. Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
A trendy “mini palm” often sold as a houseplant.
● Toxic to: Dogs and cats ASPCA
● Why it’s dangerous: Contains cycasin, which can cause liver failure; seeds are especially toxic. RDBK
● Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, jaundice, seizures, potentially fatal.
2. True lilies (Lilium & Hemerocallis species)
Think Easter lily, tiger lily, stargazer lily, daylily.
● Toxic to:
○ Cats: Extremely toxic – even pollen or water from a vase can cause acute kidney failure. ASPCA
○ Dogs: Not usually as severely affected, but can still have GI upset and other signs.
● Symptoms (cats): Vomiting, drooling, not eating, increased thirst/urination, then decreased urination as kidneys fail.
Bottom line: We strongly recommend no lilies at all in homes with cats.
3. Oleander, azalea and similar ornamentals
Occasionally kept as ornamental shrubs or potted plants indoors.
● Toxic to: Dogs and cats ASPCA
● Why it’s dangerous: Cardiac glycosides and other toxins can affect the heart. RDBK
● Symptoms: Vomiting, drooling, abnormal heart rhythm, collapse.
These plants are more common outdoors or in bouquets but are still worth mentioning if you bring them inside.
Common indoor plants toxic to both dogs and cats
These are the “Instagram famous” plants that are often sitting in Toronto windowsills.
4. Pothos / Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
Beautiful trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves.
● Toxic to: Dogs and cats ASPCA
● Why: Contains insoluble calcium oxalates that irritate mouth and stomach. RDBK
● Symptoms: Drooling, pawing at mouth, vomiting, decreased appetite.
5. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
Often sold as a “low-light, low-maintenance” plant.
● Toxic to: Dogs and cats ASPCA
● Why: Also contains calcium oxalates. Less deadly than true lilies, but still painful and risky. RDBK
● Symptoms: Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
6. Philodendron & Monstera (Swiss cheese plant)
Big, glossy, tropical leaves that are hugely popular in condos.
● Toxic to: Dogs and cats ASPCA
● Why: Same oxalate crystals that cause burning in mouth and throat. TLC Cat Clinic
● Symptoms: Drooling, gagging, vomiting, reluctance to eat.
7. Snake plant (Sansevieria), ZZ plant and dieffenbachia
These are all tough, low-light plants frequently sold in big box stores.
● Toxic to: Dogs and cats ASPCA
● Why: Saponins (snake plant) and oxalates (ZZ, dieffenbachia) irritate the GI tract and mouth. RDBK
● Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth pain, occasionally more serious signs.
Plants that are especially dangerous for cats
Cats are climbers and chewers, so “just putting it up high” often isn’t enough.
8. Ficus family (fiddle-leaf fig, rubber plant, etc.)
● Toxic to: Especially risky for cats, but can also bother dogs. ASPCA
● Why: Irritating sap can cause oral and skin irritation. TLC Cat Clinic
● Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, skin redness where sap contacts fur/skin.
9. Alocasia & other aroids
Includes Alocasia, Colocasia, and some “elephant ear” types.
● Toxic to: Cats and dogs, but cats tend to explore them more indoors. ASPCA
● Symptoms: Intense mouth pain, swelling of tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting. TLC Cat Clinic
Plants that are especially problematic for dogs
Dogs are more likely to chew on lower leaves, knocked-over pots or bulbs stored in the garage.
10. Daffodils, tulips and other bulb plants
Often brought into the house as potted “spring” flowers or as cut bouquets.
● Toxic to: Dogs and cats, but dogs commonly chew bulbs. ASPCA ASPCA Pet Insurance
● Highest risk: Bulbs and the water from vases.
● Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, changes in heart rate, tremors.
11. Aloe vera
We love aloe gel — our pets, not so much.
● Toxic to: Dogs and cats when they eat the plant. ASPCA VCA
● Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, sometimes tremors.
What to do if your dog or cat eats a toxic plant
1. Stay calm but act quickly.
2. Remove plant material from your pet’s mouth if you can do so safely.
3. Identify the plant. Take a photo, and bring a cutting or the pot to your vet.
4. Call your veterinarian immediately or an emergency clinic (for West Toronto/Etobicoke pet parents, know your closest 24-hour hospital).
5. Call ASPCA Poison Control for guidance if you’re unsure. ASPCA
Never try to make your pet vomit at home unless a vet specifically instructs you to.
Pet-safer alternatives for your indoor jungle
The good news: you don’t have to give up houseplants completely. Resources based on the ASPCA’s data and veterinary advice list many non-toxic plant options, such as:
● African violet ASPCA
● Boston fern ASPCA
● Areca palm ASPCA
● Spider plant ASPCA
● Some varieties of peperomia (for example: the Blunt Leaf Peperomia) ASPCA
Always double-check individual species, but these are a good starting point if you’re refreshing your plants in your Etobicoke home.
How Fetch Pet Boutique can help
While we can’t tell your cat not to eat the ficus (we wish!), we can help support their health in other important ways:
● Premium nutrition: available online and in-store at Rathburn & Islington in Etobicoke.
● Grooming for indoor pets: We offer full-service dog grooming and nail trims for cats. Our one-on-one, no-crate grooming is perfect for West Toronto and Mississauga East pet parents who want gentle, lower-stress care.
● Raw and fresh options: Curious about balanced raw diets (like Big Country Raw) or fresh toppers to keep your indoor pet at a healthy weight? We’re happy to talk through safe options tailored to your dog or cat.
👉 Shop premium pet food online at Fetch Pet Boutique,
👉 Book your dog’s grooming appointment (here's how: Fetch Pet Boutique Dog Grooming), or
👉 Visit Fetch Pet Boutique in Etobicoke for friendly, local help on keeping your pets happy, healthy, and safe around houseplants.