Is Christmas Cactus safe for cats and dogs?

Also sold as: Easter Cactus. Retail labels vary, so check the botanical name (Schlumbergera) if you are matching a plant you already own.

What the ASPCA lists for Christmas Cactus

The ASPCA records Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera, family Cactaceae) as Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses. Read the ASPCA entry.

The ASPCA files this entry under Schlumbergera bridgesii and lists Easter Cactus as an additional common name for it. The closely related shrimp cactus (Schlumbergera russelliana) has its own entry and is also recorded as non-toxic, so the holiday cacti sold under these various seasonal names come out the same way.

What this verdict does and does not mean

Being non-toxic does not mean a plant is chew-proof: even pet-safe houseplants can upset a cat's or dog's stomach if they eat a large amount, simply because it is plant matter. Most toxic houseplants cause irritant-level symptoms, such as drooling, mouth soreness, or a mild upset stomach, rather than a medical emergency. A small number of plants are a genuine emergency, most notably true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) for cats, which can cause fatal kidney failure from even a small amount of pollen or a nibbled leaf. If you are ever in doubt, or your pet has eaten part of a plant, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.

More on pet safety

Read the full care guide for Christmas Cactus, browse the pet safety checker for other plants, or identify a plant from a photo first if you are not sure what you have. Verdicts here follow the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.