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Pet safety

Is Chinese evergreen toxic to cats?

Aglaonema commutatum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists chinese evergreen as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Aglaonema as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Chewing causes oral pain, drooling, and difficulty swallowing.

What to do if your cat ate chinese evergreen

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move chinese evergreen 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 chinese evergreen to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten chinese evergreen, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is chinese evergreen toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is chinese evergreen toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists chinese evergreen as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. ASPCA lists Aglaonema as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Chewing causes oral pain, drooling, and difficulty swallowing.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats chinese evergreen?

ASPCA lists Aglaonema as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Chewing causes oral pain, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to chinese evergreen.

What should I do if my cat ate chinese evergreen?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is chinese evergreen toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Chinese evergreen is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full chinese evergreen pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to chinese evergreen?

Good cat-safe swaps that keep a similar look include calathea, cast iron plant, peperomia — all ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs. See the full pet-safe alternatives to chinese evergreen.

Full chinese evergreen pet-safety