Is Peperomia safe for cats and dogs?

What the ASPCA lists for Peperomia

The ASPCA records Peperomia (Peperomia, family Piperaceae) as Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses. Read the ASPCA entry.

The peperomia entries record no toxic principle and no clinical signs. Several state the principle in plain words as Non-toxic.

There is no single genus entry for Peperomia. Instead the ASPCA lists sixteen separate peperomia pages, and every one of them returns a non-toxic verdict. They include Emerald Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata, cited here), Blunt Leaf Peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia, the baby rubber plant), Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) and Trailing Peperomia (Peperomia prostata). Not one peperomia in the database is listed as toxic to anything, and eight of the sixteen are cleared for horses as well as dogs and cats. So whichever peperomia you brought home, and whatever the label calls it, the answer holds. One small warning for anyone cross-checking: the Blunt Leaf Peperomia entry misspells the plant family as Pipericeae, while the other fifteen spell it correctly as Piperaceae.

Do not confuse Peperomia with Watermelon Begonia

This one runs the opposite way to most warnings on this site, so it is here to stop a needless panic. Watermelon peperomia is sometimes sold as watermelon begonia, and begonias are toxic: the ASPCA lists the genus Begonia as Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses. But the plant behind that particular name is not a begonia at all. The ASPCA files Watermelon Begonia as Peperomia argyreia, a peperomia, and marks it non-toxic to all three. Check the leaf: a peperomia leaf is thick and succulent, a begonia leaf is thin with a lopsided base. The ASPCA lists Watermelon Begonia (Peperomia argyreia) as Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses. Read the ASPCA entry for Watermelon Begonia. 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.

More on pet safety

Read the full care guide for Peperomia, 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.