Is snake plant toxic to cats?
Dracaena trifasciata
Yes. Snake plant is toxic to cats, graded low severity by NC State Extension. The agent is saponins. Call your vet if a cat has eaten any.
- Take any remaining plant material out of their mouth and rinse the mouth with water.
- Call someone. Your own vet first. Otherwise ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 — both charge a fee.
- Take a photo of the plant, and note roughly how much was eaten and when. It is the first thing you will be asked.
- Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
What it does, and why
The agent is saponins.
Saponins are soap-like compounds that irritate the lining of the stomach and gut on contact.
Vomiting and loose stool within hours, typically resolving once the plant material passes.
Worth watching for. Dehydration in a small animal, or vomiting that does not stop.
Reported signs
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
Signs as listed by the ASPCA . Not every animal shows all of them.
What each authority says
- ASPCA
- Toxic to cats and dogs · saponins
- NC State Extension
- Poison severity: Low · Saponins · Toxic if ingested: vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats). The sap can cause skin irritation.
What to keep instead
Species in this database listed non-toxic to cats and dogs, chosen for a similar look or similar care rather than at random.
| Plant | Family | Water | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spider plantChlorophytum comosum | Asparagaceae | 7–10d | 1/5 |
| Cast iron plantAspidistra elatior | Asparagaceae | 10–14d | 1/5 |
Swapping the plant is the only measure that reliably works. Height and hanging baskets buy less time than people expect with a determined cat.
The other animal
Looking for dogs? See is snake plant toxic to dogs. Full care details are on the snake plant species entry.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Dracaena trifasciata Checked 2026-09-11.
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Dracaena trifasciata Checked 2026-09-11.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Plants of the World Online — Dracaena trifasciata Accepted name and family. Checked 2026-09-11.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435 — emergency line, fee applies
Compiled and edited by Tony Valcarcel · 2026-09-11
Tony Valcarcel is the editor and publisher of this database, not a veterinarian.
Severity is reproduced from the authority that published it and is never
originated here. How this is sourced.
This page is a reference, not a diagnosis. In an emergency, call rather than read.