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Pet safety

Is Lucky bamboo toxic to cats?

Dracaena sanderiana

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lucky bamboo 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 Dracaena sanderiana as toxic to cats and dogs due to saponins. Symptoms include vomiting, drooling, and loss of appetite.

What to do if your cat ate lucky bamboo

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

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

Is lucky bamboo toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is lucky bamboo toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lucky bamboo 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 Dracaena sanderiana as toxic to cats and dogs due to saponins. Symptoms include vomiting, drooling, and loss of appetite.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats lucky bamboo?

ASPCA lists Dracaena sanderiana as toxic to cats and dogs due to saponins. Symptoms include vomiting, drooling, and loss of appetite. 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 lucky bamboo.

What should I do if my cat ate lucky bamboo?

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 lucky bamboo toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to lucky bamboo?

Good cat-safe swaps that keep a similar look include lady palm, parlor palm, areca palm — all ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs. See the full pet-safe alternatives to lucky bamboo.

Full lucky bamboo pet-safety