Is Monstera Deliciosa safe for cats and dogs?

Also sold as: Hurricane Plant, Swiss Cheese Plant, Ceriman, Mexican Breadfruit, Split-leaf Philodendron, Window Leaf Plant. Retail labels vary, so check the botanical name (Monstera deliciosa) if you are matching a plant you already own.

What the ASPCA lists for Monstera Deliciosa

The ASPCA records Monstera Deliciosa (Monstera deliciosa, family Araceae) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats. Toxic principle: Insoluble calcium oxalates. Clinical signs listed: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Read the ASPCA entry.

The burning is immediate and contact-driven, so a pet usually drops the leaf after one bite and the trouble stays in the mouth. Watch for drooling, mouth pawing and difficulty swallowing. Note the entry gives verdicts for dogs and cats only and states none for horses.

A monstera is not a philodendron, but almost every name it is sold under says otherwise. The ASPCA files Monstera deliciosa under Cutleaf Philodendron and repeats it as Ceriman, Hurricane Plant and Mexican Breadfruit, so four entries describe the same plant. The retail habit of calling it a split-leaf philodendron is the part that causes trouble, because that name is also attached to genuine Philodendron species in their database. See the note below on what changes when it does.

Do not confuse Monstera Deliciosa with Cordatum

Split Leaf Philodendron is listed by the ASPCA as a common name for two different plants: Monstera deliciosa and this true philodendron, Philodendron oxycardium. Cats and dogs get the same answer from either entry, so the shared name is not dangerous in the usual way. It changes the answer for horses, since this entry records Toxic to Horses while the monstera entry states no horse verdict. The ASPCA lists Cordatum (Philodendron oxycardium) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses, toxic principle Insoluble calcium oxalates, with clinical signs: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing. Read the ASPCA entry for Cordatum. 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?

• Money Tree, see the care guide.
• Areca Palm, see the care guide.
• Majesty Palm, see the care guide.

More on pet safety

Read the full care guide for Monstera Deliciosa, 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.