Yes, snake plant is toxic to cats. The ASPCA lists snake plant, also called mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata), as toxic to both cats and dogs. Its toxic principle is saponins, and the signs the ASPCA lists are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The ZZ plant, the other "beginner" houseplant it is often sold beside, is also a concern, for a different reason. If your cat has chewed either plant, call your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) now.
If Your Cat Chewed a Snake Plant or ZZ Plant: What to Do Now
- Call for advice before anything else. Phone your veterinarian, the nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Both poison lines are open 24 hours a day and a fee may apply.
- Do not induce vomiting and do not give any home treatment, food or medicine unless a veterinarian or poison-control specialist tells you to for this plant, at this moment. That includes any human medicine.
- Go to an emergency vet immediately if your cat is weak, collapsing, having trouble breathing, or vomiting repeatedly.
- Collect the details: the plant name (tag or photo), how much appears to be missing, the time, and your cat's age, weight and health conditions.
How a plant affects a cat depends on the individual animal's size, age and health, and on how much was eaten. Only a veterinarian can judge that for your cat. This article is general information, not a diagnosis.
"Easy Care" Does Not Mean "Pet Safe"
Snake plant and ZZ plant are sold as beginner plants because they tolerate low light and irregular watering. Those are facts about the plant's needs, not about a cat's safety. Neither label tells you anything about toxicity.
This is the gap most pages answering "is snake plant toxic to cats" leave open. They confirm the plant is toxic, then move on. What they rarely explain is that these two popular plants contain different toxic compounds, which is useful to know when you describe the incident on the phone and when you decide where to put the pots.
| Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) | ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant family | Agavaceae (as listed by the ASPCA) | Araceae (as listed by NC State Extension) |
| Toxic principle, per sources | Saponins (ASPCA); hemolytic saponin and organic acids (Merck) | Calcium oxalate (NC State Extension) |
| Signs named by sources | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (ASPCA); vomiting, salivation, diarrhea, hemolysis (Merck) | Diarrhea and vomiting if leaves are eaten in quantity (NC State Extension) |
| Toxicity rating | Listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA | Rated "medium" by NC State Extension |
Snake Plant: What the Saponins Do
The ASPCA's entry for Sansevieria trifasciata lists its common names as mother-in-law's tongue, snake plant, golden bird's nest and good luck plant. It names saponins as the toxic principle and lists nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as clinical signs in dogs and cats.
The Merck Veterinary Manual (reviewed by Renee D. Schmid, DVM, of Pet Poison Helpline, last updated September 2024) goes a little further. It describes "hemolytic saponin and organic acids found in leaves and flowers" and lists "vomiting, salivation, diarrhea, and hemolysis related to gastrointestinal activity of these compounds." Hemolysis means damage to red blood cells. It is not something you can see or rule out at home, which is one reason a vet or poison line should hear about any snake plant exposure, even if your cat looks well.
Snake plant leaves are thick and fibrous, and a chewed leaf often shows torn tips or bite marks rather than a missing section. How much was actually swallowed is hard to judge from a damaged leaf, so describe what you see and let the specialist interpret it.
ZZ Plant: A Crystal Plant, Like Pothos and Peace Lily
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) belongs to the Araceae family, the same family as monstera, philodendron, pothos and peace lily. NC State Extension's plant toolbox, which we read on September 27, 2026, lists its toxic principle as calcium oxalate, its toxic part as the leaves, and its toxicity as "medium", with diarrhea and vomiting if leaves are consumed in quantity.
For other members of this family, the ASPCA and the Pet Poison Helpline describe insoluble calcium oxalate crystals causing mouth pain, drooling, gagging and vomiting when the plant is chewed. The Pet Poison Helpline adds that "in rare instances severe throat swelling resulting in breathing difficulty can occur." Any breathing difficulty after a cat chews a plant is a reason to go to an emergency vet immediately.
The ZZ plant is sometimes described online as pet friendly. The university source above disagrees, and we found no veterinary source calling it safe for cats. Treat it as a plant to keep out of reach.
Signs to Report While You Get Help
These are signs the sources above associate with these plants or their plant families. They are listed so you can describe what you see accurately, not so you can decide at home whether your cat is fine.
- Drooling, foaming or pawing at the mouth
- Nausea or refusing food
- Vomiting, once or repeatedly
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy, hiding or weakness
- Any difficulty breathing or swallowing, which needs an emergency vet at once
A cat that shows no signs may still need attention, and the absence of signs is something to tell the poison line rather than a reason to skip the call. For the wider picture, our guide to cat poisoning and why cats are different covers what to expect when you phone for help.
How Serious Are These Plants for Cats?
The sources we checked describe mainly gastrointestinal or oral signs for both plants rather than organ failure. Neither appears among the plants the Merck Veterinary Manual or the FDA single out for kidney failure in cats, which is the risk with true lilies. Our guide to which lilies are toxic to cats explains that separate, far more urgent category.
"Mainly irritation" is not the same as "harmless", and it is not a reason to wait. Vomiting and diarrhea can matter more in a small kitten, an older cat or a cat with an existing illness. There is no amount of either plant that this site, or any responsible source, can call safe for your cat. Only a veterinarian can weigh how much was eaten against your cat's size and health.
Keeping Snake Plants and ZZ Plants in a Cat Home
- Put them out of reach, not just up high. Floor-standing snake plants sit at exactly the height a cat walks past. A shelf only works if there is nothing nearby for the cat to jump from.
- Watch for chewed tips. Torn or bitten leaf ends tell you your cat is already interested.
- Keep the tags. Both plants are sold under several common names, and the botanical name saves time on the phone.
- Clear away cuttings. Leaves removed while repotting or propagating are still plant material a cat can chew.
- Consider a different room or rehoming the plant if your cat is a determined chewer.
If your cat has been into a plant you cannot identify, our guide to what to do when your cat chewed a houseplant walks through identification and first steps.
Sources Checked
On September 27, 2026 we read the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's entry for mother-in-law's tongue (snake plant) and the Merck Veterinary Manual's chapter on houseplants and ornamentals toxic to animals. On the same date we read NC State Extension's plant toolbox entry for Zamioculcas zamiifolia, the Pet Poison Helpline's page on insoluble oxalates and the FDA's guidance on lilies and cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is snake plant toxic to cats if they only chew the tip of a leaf?
The ASPCA lists snake plant as toxic to cats without setting any minimum amount. Call your vet or a poison line and describe how much of the leaf is damaged. Only they can judge whether your cat needs to be seen.
Is the ZZ plant safe for cats?
No veterinary source we checked calls it safe. NC State Extension lists calcium oxalate in the leaves and rates its toxicity as medium. Keep it out of your cat's reach and call for advice if your cat chews it.
What symptoms does snake plant cause in cats?
The ASPCA lists nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The Merck Veterinary Manual also mentions salivation and hemolysis. Report any of these to your vet or a poison line.
Can snake plant kill a cat?
We cannot answer that for an individual cat, and neither can any article. The veterinary sources we checked describe mainly gastrointestinal signs, but the outcome depends on the amount and on your cat's size and health. Call your vet or a poison line.
Is snake plant toxic to dogs too?
Yes. The ASPCA lists snake plant as toxic to both dogs and cats.
This article is general information and does not replace veterinary care. If you think your cat has chewed any plant, contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Only a veterinarian can assess your individual cat.