Is Norfolk Island Pine safe for cats and dogs?

What the ASPCA lists for Norfolk Island Pine

The ASPCA records Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla, family Araucariaceae) as Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses. Read the ASPCA entry.

The ASPCA records the toxic principle as Non-toxic and lists no clinical signs. Some horticultural sources describe the sap as a mild irritant on contact, which is not a toxicity finding and is not what the ASPCA entry says, so this page does not claim it as one.

Searching the ASPCA for Norfolk Island Pine by that name can look like it returns nothing, because the entry is filed under the title Australian Pine. Araucaria heterophylla is the scientific name on that entry and Norfolk Pine, House Pine and Norfolk Island Pine are all listed there as additional common names, so it is the right entry and the verdict is sourced at species level, not by inference from a relative.

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 Norfolk Island Pine, 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.