Pet safety
Is Pilea glauca 'Aquamarine' (Grey Baby Tears)toxic to cats & dogs?
Pilea glauca
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- No — non-toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- No — non-toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Pet-safe · botanical name Pilea glauca
Is pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) safe for cats and dogs?
Yes — ASPCA non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Pilea glauca 'Aquamarine' (Grey Baby Tears) is a sensible choice for a pet household; a curious nibble will not poison anyone. 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. Pilea glauca is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the genus is clean: ASPCA lists several Pilea species (Pilea microphylla, Pilea mucosa, creeping Pilea/Pilea nummulariifolia and watermelon Pilea/Pilea cadierei) as non-toxic to dogs and cats, with no Pilea listed as toxic, and it belongs to the non-irritant family Urticaceae. It is therefore treated as pet-safe; as with any plant, nibbling may still cause mild stomach upset, so verify with your vet if concerned.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | No | Pet-safe |
| Dogs | No | Pet-safe |
What happens if a pet eats pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears)?
Because pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) is non-toxic, a curious nibble will not poison a cat or dog. That said, no plant is meant to be eaten: a large quantity of any foliage can still cause mild, short-lived stomach upset or vomiting simply through fibre and volume. Persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, or lethargy after eating any plant is always worth a call to your vet, because the reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or a pesticide rather than the plant itself.
What to do if your pet ate pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears)
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) 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 pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) 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.
Pilea glauca 'Aquamarine' (Grey Baby Tears) and pets — frequently asked questions
Is pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) toxic to cats?
Pilea glauca 'Aquamarine' (Grey Baby Tears) (Pilea glauca) is pet-safe to cats according to the ASPCA. Pilea glauca is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the genus is clean: ASPCA lists several Pilea species (Pilea microphylla, Pilea mucosa, creeping Pilea/Pilea nummulariifolia and watermelon Pilea/Pilea cadierei) as non-toxic to dogs and cats, with no Pilea listed as toxic, and it belongs to the non-irritant family Urticaceae. It is therefore treated as pet-safe; as with any plant, nibbling may still cause mild stomach upset, so verify with your vet if concerned. It is a sensible pick for a cat household, though no plant should be a regular snack.
Is pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) toxic to dogs?
The ASPCA lists the same toxicity status for dogs as for cats: Pilea glauca 'Aquamarine' (Grey Baby Tears) is pet-safe. Dogs that gulp large amounts of any foliage can still get a mild, brief stomach upset, so discourage grazing even on a non-toxic plant.
What happens if my pet eats pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears)?
Because pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) is non-toxic, a curious nibble will not poison a cat or dog. That said, no plant is meant to be eaten: a large quantity of any foliage can still cause mild, short-lived stomach upset or vomiting simply through fibre and volume. Persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, or lethargy after eating any plant is always worth a call to your vet, because the reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or a pesticide rather than the plant itself.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears)?
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 pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
Which other plants are safe for cats and dogs?
Reliable non-toxic houseplants on the ASPCA list include spider plant, areca palm, calathea, peperomia, and most true ferns. You can browse Growli's full pet-safety library to check any plant before you buy it, and every entry cites the ASPCA classification it is based on.
Full pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete pilea glauca 'aquamarine' (grey baby tears) care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.