Is rubber plant toxic to cats?
Ficus elastica
Yes. Rubber plant is toxic to cats. The agent is proteolytic enzyme, psoralen. 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 proteolytic enzyme, psoralen.
The milky sap carries a protein-digesting enzyme that irritates on contact, plus psoralen, which sensitises skin to ultraviolet light.
Mouth and gut irritation from eating; skin reaction from sap, worsened by sunlight afterwards.
Worth watching for. Sap on skin then sun exposure can burn more than the sap alone would.
Reported signs
- oral irritation
- salivation
- vomiting
- skin irritation
Signs as listed by the ASPCA under Ficus benjamina. Not every animal shows all of them.
What each authority says
- ASPCA — entry for a different species in this genus: Ficus benjamina
- Toxic to cats and dogs · proteolytic enzyme, psoralen
- NC State Extension
- Entry exists and records no poison data.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parlor palmChamaedorea elegans | Arecaceae | 7–10d | 2/5 |
| Chinese money plantPilea peperomioides | Urticaceae | 6–11d | 2/5 |
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 rubber plant toxic to dogs. Full care details are on the rubber plant species entry.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Ficus benjamina Checked 2026-09-11.
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Ficus elastica (consulted; entry exists and records no poison data.) Checked 2026-09-11.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Plants of the World Online — Ficus elastica 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.