Pet safety
Is Anthurium besseae aff. (Dark Velvet)toxic to cats & dogs?
Anthurium besseae aff.
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Toxic to pets · botanical name Anthurium besseae aff.
Is anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet) safe for cats and dogs?
Avoid for a pet household. Anthurium besseae aff. (Dark Velvet) is ASPCA-listed toxic to both cats and dogs; even a small chew can drive a vet visit. Plenty of look-alikes on the non-toxic side of the list — see alternatives below. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, the most widely used reference for companion-animal plant safety in the US and the standard most UK vets cite as well. The ASPCA lists Anthurium as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle. Although A. besseae aff. is not individually named, it is an Anthurium aroid, so treat it as toxic. Chewing can cause oral pain, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing; keep it out of reach and consult a vet if ingested.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes | Toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes | Toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet)?
The ASPCA lists Anthurium as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle. Although A. besseae aff. is not individually named, it is an Anthurium aroid, so treat it as toxic. Chewing can cause oral pain, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing; keep it out of reach and consult a vet if ingested. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet), treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet)
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet) out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet) to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide rather than the plant. If you are worried, always contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Pet-safe alternatives to anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet)
Want the same look without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and have similar care needs:
- Peperomia — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Cast iron plant — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Spider plant — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Ponytail palm — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Anthurium besseae aff. (Dark Velvet) and pets — frequently asked questions
Is anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet) toxic to cats?
Anthurium besseae aff. (Dark Velvet) (Anthurium besseae aff.) is toxic to pets to cats according to the ASPCA. The ASPCA lists Anthurium as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle. Although A. besseae aff. is not individually named, it is an Anthurium aroid, so treat it as toxic. Chewing can cause oral pain, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing; keep it out of reach and consult a vet if ingested. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your cat chews it.
Is anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet) toxic to dogs?
The ASPCA lists the same toxicity status for dogs as for cats: Anthurium besseae aff. (Dark Velvet) is toxic to pets. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet) is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet)?
The ASPCA lists Anthurium as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle. Although A. besseae aff. is not individually named, it is an Anthurium aroid, so treat it as toxic. Chewing can cause oral pain, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing; keep it out of reach and consult a vet if ingested. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet), treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet)?
Stay calm. Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth and take the plant away so they cannot eat more. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet) to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet)?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include peperomia, cast iron plant, spider plant, ponytail palm. All of these are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so they suit a home where pets have access to your plants.
Full anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet) care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete anthurium besseae aff. (dark velvet) care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.