Pet safety
Is ZZ Plant safe for cats and dogs?
ZZ Plant is not listed by the ASPCA, but reputable horticultural sources treat it as toxic to cats and dogs.
Considered toxic
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is not listed in the ASPCA database; this assessment follows reputable horticultural sources and errs on the side of caution. It is treated as toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach, and if your pet has chewed it, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.
Why there is no ASPCA entry for ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia does not appear in the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant database at all, in either direction. Searching their database for ZZ plant, Zanzibar gem or Zamioculcas returns nothing, and no other plant in the genus is listed either. Anyone looking for a definitive ASPCA verdict on this plant will not find one, which is worth knowing before trusting a confident yes or no found elsewhere. The verdict on this page follows reputable horticultural sources, which treat the sap as an irritant, and deliberately errs toward caution.
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 ZZ 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.