Pet safety
Is Lady of the Nighttoxic to cats & dogs?
Brunfelsia americana
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Toxic to pets · botanical name Brunfelsia americana
Is lady of the night safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic — the ASPCA lists lady of the night as a clear no for cats and dogs. The painful part for the pet is usually quick and intense; the right move is to keep it out of any room a pet roams unsupervised. 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 classifies Brunfelsia as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is brunfelsamidine, a convulsant alkaloid. Clinical signs of ingestion include tremors, prolonged seizures (lasting several days), vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, lethargy, and incoordination. All parts of the plant contain toxins, with the highest concentrations in the berries and seed pods. This plant should never be grown where pets or children have unsupervised access. If ingestion is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes | Toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes | Toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats lady of the night?
ASPCA classifies Brunfelsia as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is brunfelsamidine, a convulsant alkaloid. Clinical signs of ingestion include tremors, prolonged seizures (lasting several days), vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, lethargy, and incoordination. All parts of the plant contain toxins, with the highest concentrations in the berries and seed pods. This plant should never be grown where pets or children have unsupervised access. If ingestion is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. 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 lady of the night, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate lady of the night
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move lady of the night 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 lady of the night 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 lady of the night
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:
- Prayer plant — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Calathea — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Parlor palm — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Areca palm — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Lady of the Night and pets — frequently asked questions
Is lady of the night toxic to cats?
Lady of the Night (Brunfelsia americana) is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. ASPCA classifies Brunfelsia as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is brunfelsamidine, a convulsant alkaloid. Clinical signs of ingestion include tremors, prolonged seizures (lasting several days), vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, lethargy, and incoordination. All parts of the plant contain toxins, with the highest concentrations in the berries and seed pods. This plant should never be grown where pets or children have unsupervised access. If ingestion is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. 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 lady of the night toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Lady of the Night (Brunfelsia americana) is toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like lady of the night is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats lady of the night?
ASPCA classifies Brunfelsia as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is brunfelsamidine, a convulsant alkaloid. Clinical signs of ingestion include tremors, prolonged seizures (lasting several days), vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, lethargy, and incoordination. All parts of the plant contain toxins, with the highest concentrations in the berries and seed pods. This plant should never be grown where pets or children have unsupervised access. If ingestion is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. 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 lady of the night, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate lady of the night?
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 lady of the night to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to lady of the night?
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 lady of the night care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete lady of the night care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.