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Pet safety

Is Arrowhead planttoxic to cats & dogs?

Syngonium podophyllum

Mildly toxic to pets

Is arrowhead plant safe for cats and dogs?

Not entirely — arrowhead plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. It rarely causes serious harm, but chewing it triggers real discomfort, so it is best kept out of a pet's reach. 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. ASPCA lists Syngonium podophyllum as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Chewing causes oral irritation, drooling, and rare vomiting.

What happens if a pet eats arrowhead plant?

ASPCA lists Syngonium podophyllum as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Chewing causes oral irritation, drooling, and rare vomiting. 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 arrowhead plant, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.

What to do if your pet ate arrowhead plant

  1. Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move arrowhead plant out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of arrowhead plant 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 arrowhead plant

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:

Arrowhead plant and pets — frequently asked questions

Is arrowhead plant toxic to cats?

Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum) is mildly toxic to pets to cats according to the ASPCA. ASPCA lists Syngonium podophyllum as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Chewing causes oral irritation, drooling, and rare vomiting. 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 arrowhead plant toxic to dogs?

The ASPCA lists the same toxicity status for dogs as for cats: Arrowhead plant is mildly toxic to pets. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like arrowhead plant is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.

What happens if my pet eats arrowhead plant?

ASPCA lists Syngonium podophyllum as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Chewing causes oral irritation, drooling, and rare vomiting. 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 arrowhead plant, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.

What should I do if my cat or dog ate arrowhead plant?

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 arrowhead plant to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.

What are pet-safe alternatives to arrowhead plant?

If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include prayer plant, calathea, parlor palm, areca 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 arrowhead plant care

Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete arrowhead plant care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.