Pet safety
Is Green Dragon toxic to cats & dogs?
Arisaema dracontium
Toxic
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Toxic to pets · botanical name Arisaema dracontium
Is green dragon safe for cats and dogs?
Avoid for a pet household. Green Dragon 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. All parts of Arisaema dracontium contain insoluble calcium oxalate raphides. Ingestion causes immediate and intense oral burning, swelling, excessive salivation, and difficulty swallowing in dogs, cats, and people. Skin contact with sap can cause dermatitis. This genus is listed as toxic by the ASPCA. Contact ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK) if ingestion occurs.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes | Toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes | Toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats green dragon?
All parts of Arisaema dracontium contain insoluble calcium oxalate raphides. Ingestion causes immediate and intense oral burning, swelling, excessive salivation, and difficulty swallowing in dogs, cats, and people. Skin contact with sap can cause dermatitis. This genus is listed as toxic by the ASPCA. Contact ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK) if ingestion occurs. 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 green dragon, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate green dragon
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move green dragon 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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of green dragon 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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Pet-safe alternatives to green dragon
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:
- Hoya — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Bromeliad — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Christmas cactus — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- African violet — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Green Dragon and pets — frequently asked questions
Is green dragon toxic to cats?
Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium) is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. All parts of Arisaema dracontium contain insoluble calcium oxalate raphides. Ingestion causes immediate and intense oral burning, swelling, excessive salivation, and difficulty swallowing in dogs, cats, and people. Skin contact with sap can cause dermatitis. This genus is listed as toxic by the ASPCA. Contact ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK) if ingestion occurs. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK if your cat chews it.
Is green dragon toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium) is toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like green dragon is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats green dragon?
All parts of Arisaema dracontium contain insoluble calcium oxalate raphides. Ingestion causes immediate and intense oral burning, swelling, excessive salivation, and difficulty swallowing in dogs, cats, and people. Skin contact with sap can cause dermatitis. This genus is listed as toxic by the ASPCA. Contact ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK) if ingestion occurs. 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 green dragon, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate green dragon?
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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of green dragon to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to green dragon?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include hoya, bromeliad, christmas cactus, african violet. 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 green dragon care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete green dragon care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.
Writing about plant safety? Embed our free pet-toxicity checker on your site — ASPCA-grounded verdicts for 11,000+ plants, no sign-up.