Yes. The ASPCA lists the snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata, also called Mother-in-law's Tongue) as toxic to both cats and dogs. The toxic compounds are saponins, and chewing or eating the leaves most often causes digestive upset such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. If your pet has chewed a snake plant, contact your vet. This guide covers what to watch for, what to do, and how to keep a snake plant in a home with pets.
This article is general information and not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your pet, call your vet or an after-hours emergency clinic.
Why are snake plants toxic to cats and dogs?
Snake plants contain saponins, natural compounds that many plants use as a defence against being eaten. In animals, saponins irritate the lining of the mouth, stomach and gut, which is why the signs are mostly digestive.
The ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant database lists the snake plant as toxic to dogs and toxic to cats, with saponins as the toxic principle. Its entry uses common names including Mother-in-law's Tongue, Golden Bird's Nest and Good Luck Plant. These are all names for the same group of plants we sell as snake plants (see Snake Plant vs Mother-in-law's Tongue for how the names fit together).
Symptoms to watch for
The ASPCA lists the following signs after a pet eats snake plant:
- Nausea (look for drooling, lip-licking, restlessness or refusing food)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
How badly a pet is affected depends on how much was eaten, the size of the animal and its individual sensitivity. Reports generally describe digestive upset rather than anything more serious, but that is not a guarantee. Puppies, kittens, very small animals and pets with existing health problems can be more at risk. If you see anything unusual, including signs that are not on this list, treat it seriously and call your vet.
What to do if your pet eats a snake plant
- Remove any plant pieces from your pet's mouth and move your pet away from the plant.
- Offer fresh water. Do not force food or water on your pet.
- Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to. Home remedies can cause more harm than good.
- Call your vet, or your nearest after-hours emergency vet, straight away, even if your pet seems fine. Tell them what plant it was, roughly how much was eaten, when it happened, and your pet's size and age.
- Keep a sample or photo of the plant and its name. The plant tag may say Sansevieria trifasciata or Dracaena trifasciata, and both are correct.
- Follow your vet's advice and keep watching your pet. Ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea, lethargy or collapse needs urgent veterinary attention.
Are all snake plant varieties toxic?
Treat every snake plant as toxic to pets. That includes the tall types such as Laurentii and Robusta, compact rosettes like Hahnii, and species such as Cylindrica, Kenya Hyacinth and Whale Fin. They are all closely related, so do not assume a different variety is the safer choice. Our guide to snake plant types shows what each one looks like.
Tips for keeping a snake plant in a home with pets
- Choose the room, not just the shelf. A room your pets cannot enter, such as a closed home office or sunroom, is more reliable than a high shelf, because cats climb and jump.
- Use a heavy pot. Tall snake plants topple easily, and a heavy ceramic or terracotta pot is harder for a pet to knock over.
- Pick up fallen or trimmed leaves straight away. If you are propagating, keep cuttings somewhere your pets cannot reach, including any jar of water.
- Discourage digging. A layer of large smooth pebbles over the soil can put off a digging puppy.
- Give chewers a better option. A tray of pet-safe cat grass gives plant-nibbling cats something appropriate to chew.
- Supervise young animals. Puppies and kittens explore with their mouths, so keep the plant out of reach until they are past that stage.
The leaves are tough and fibrous, which puts some animals off. That is no reason to rely on it, since a bored or curious pet will chew almost anything.
Why do pets chew on plants?
Pets chew plants for many reasons, including boredom, curiosity, teething and simply liking the texture. More play, exercise, suitable chew toys and cat grass can reduce the interest, but moving the plant out of reach is far more reliable than training. If a pet keeps returning to the same plant, relocating the plant is the simplest fix.
Pet-friendlier alternatives
If you would rather skip the risk, the ASPCA lists plants such as spider plant, parlour palm, calathea and peperomia as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Common names are often shared between toxic and non-toxic plants, so check the exact species on the ASPCA's database before you buy.
Snake plant and pets FAQs
Is a snake plant toxic to cats?
Yes. The ASPCA lists the snake plant as toxic to cats, with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea as the signs. Cats tend to nibble leaves, so keep the plant out of reach and call your vet if your cat chews it.
Is a snake plant toxic to dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs for the same reason, the saponins in the plant. Dogs are more likely to dig into the pot or chew fallen leaves, so a heavy pot and prompt clean-up help.
Which part of a snake plant is toxic?
Treat all parts, including the leaves, rhizomes and roots, as toxic. The leaves are the part pets are most likely to reach.
Is it safe to touch or handle a snake plant?
Brushing past a snake plant is not usually a concern. The risk comes from chewing or eating it. As a general precaution, wash your hands after repotting or cutting leaves, and keep cuttings away from children and pets.
Can I still keep a snake plant if I have a pet?
Many people do, with the plant placed where pets cannot reach it. Only you can judge the risk in your home. If you cannot reliably keep a curious pet away from it, choose a non-toxic plant instead.
Shop our snake plants
Le Botanist offers one of Australia's largest ranges of snake plants (Sansevieria), with 16+ varieties to choose from. Browse our snake plants and find day-to-day care tips in our snake plant care guide. We ship Australia-wide and offer Perth pickup.
