Is Monstera Adansonii safe for cats and dogs?

Why there is no ASPCA entry for Monstera Adansonii

The ASPCA has no page for Monstera adansonii and no genus-level Monstera entry. Both checks return nothing: the species is absent from the dog, cat and horse lists, and a direct request for a page under that name fails, while a request for the Swiss Cheese Plant entry succeeds, so the absence is real and not a broken search. The one monstera the ASPCA does carry is Monstera deliciosa, under the title Swiss Cheese Plant, listed as toxic to dogs and cats with insoluble calcium oxalates as the principle. Adansonii is a close relative in the same genus and the same family, the aroids, every one of which is listed toxic where it appears in the database. The toxic verdict on this page follows that pattern and reputable horticultural sources rather than an entry of its own.

Do not confuse Monstera Adansonii with Swiss Cheese Plant

Both plants are sold as the Swiss cheese plant and both are called monstera, so the names give you no help at all. The difference matters only for sourcing, not for safety: this entry covers Monstera deliciosa and carries the ASPCA's own verdict, while Monstera adansonii has no entry, so its toxic verdict rests on the family pattern instead. Both should be kept away from pets. Tell them apart by the holes: adansonii leaves keep closed holes in the middle of the leaf, while a mature deliciosa splits all the way to the leaf edge. The ASPCA lists Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, toxic principle Insoluble calcium oxalates, with clinical signs: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Read the ASPCA entry for Swiss Cheese Plant. If you are unsure which one you have, treat it as the toxic plant until you can confirm, and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your pet has eaten any of it.

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.

Safer alternatives

Looking for something with a similar look and habit that is pet-safe instead?

• Cast Iron Plant, see the care guide.
• Parlor Palm, see the care guide.
• Bird's Nest Fern, see the care guide.

More on pet safety

Read the full care guide for Monstera Adansonii, 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.