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Is Ming aralia toxic to dogs?

Polyscias fruticosa

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists ming aralia as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog 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. The ASPCA lists the closely related Polyscias guilfoylei (geranium-leaf aralia) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with saponins as the toxic principle; Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa) is the same saponin-bearing genus (Araliaceae) and should be treated as toxic too. Chewing causes oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and other GI upset — usually mild, but keep it out of reach. (Note: the ASPCA-listed "false aralia" — Schefflera elegantissima, which the ASPCA lists under its synonym Dizygotheca elegantissima — is a different, non-toxic plant; don't confuse the two.)

What to do if your dog ate ming aralia

  1. Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth and move ming aralia 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 ming aralia to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is ming aralia toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is ming aralia toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists ming aralia as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. The ASPCA lists the closely related Polyscias guilfoylei (geranium-leaf aralia) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with saponins as the toxic principle; Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa) is the same saponin-bearing genus (Araliaceae) and should be treated as toxic too. Chewing causes oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and other GI upset — usually mild, but keep it out of reach. (Note: the ASPCA-listed "false aralia" — Schefflera elegantissima, which the ASPCA lists under its synonym Dizygotheca elegantissima — is a different, non-toxic plant; don't confuse the two.)

What are the symptoms if a dog eats ming aralia?

The ASPCA lists the closely related Polyscias guilfoylei (geranium-leaf aralia) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with saponins as the toxic principle; Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa) is the same saponin-bearing genus (Araliaceae) and should be treated as toxic too. Chewing causes oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and other GI upset — usually mild, but keep it out of reach. (Note: the ASPCA-listed "false aralia" — Schefflera elegantissima, which the ASPCA lists under its synonym Dizygotheca elegantissima — is a different, non-toxic plant; don't confuse the two.) 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 dog has had access to ming aralia.

What should I do if my dog ate ming aralia?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your dog'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 ming aralia toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to ming aralia?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best dogs-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full ming aralia pet-safety