Is Snake Plant safe for cats and dogs?

Also sold as: Golden Bird's Nest, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Good Luck Plant. Retail labels vary, so check the botanical name (Dracaena trifasciata) if you are matching a plant you already own.

What the ASPCA lists for Snake Plant

The ASPCA records Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata, family Agavaceae) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats. Toxic principle: Saponins. Clinical signs listed: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Read the ASPCA entry.

The listed signs are digestive rather than neurological, which is why snake plant is usually a miserable night rather than an emergency. It is still worth a call if a small pet has eaten a lot, because repeated vomiting and diarrhea dehydrate quickly.

The ASPCA files this plant under Sansevieria trifasciata, while this page and most current sources use Dracaena trifasciata. That is one plant under an old and a current name, not two plants: the genus Sansevieria was folded into Dracaena. A search for Dracaena trifasciata in their database returns nothing, which is a naming gap and not a clean bill of health.

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.
• Pilea (Chinese Money Plant), see the care guide.
• Money Tree, see the care guide.

More on pet safety

Read the full care guide for Snake Plant, 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.