Is Snake Plant Toxic For Pets? (Cats, Dogs, Birds, Small Pets & More)

Even though plants cannot move or run away, they have the gift of protecting themselves from any harm. Some plants may be known as a good luck plant, but it might be toxic to your children, pets, and even you.

These toxins are mainly used to combat pests and diseases, but sometimes it might affect our pets and children as well. So, are snake plants toxic to pets? Let’s find out!

Snake plants can be toxic to most pets, including dogs and cats. The plant produces a mildly toxic substance called Saponins, which will irritate the pet’s mouth and gut if ingested. Excessive drooling, vomiting, breathing difficulty are some common signs of snake plant poisoning in pets.

This plant has a history. This lovely plant was grown by the Chinese, as they considered it as an essential houseplant.

It was also believed that whosoever had this plant was gifted by the eight virtues as a gift. It was also a pre-Feng-Shui plant, where the growers kept the plant outside, near the entrance.

Yes, the snake plant is poisonous to both your pets and yourself. If ingested, the snake plant can cause the throat and tongue to swell, and we might see symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea if consumed by your pets. I know you want to learn all about it so let’s get right into it.

Is snake plant pet friendly?

The Snake plant is poisonous to pets and is not at all pet friendly.

The snake plant produces a toxin known as Saponins, which protects the plant from insects and fungi.

According to ASPCA, the Dracaena Trifasciata(Snake plant) is termed as toxic to both cats and dogs.

If the plant is consumed, then we will see symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, and even depression in some conditions.

Though the Snake plant is also known as the good luck plant and has also been used in herbal medicinal purpose in some parts of the world, they are not considered pet friendly.

If your pet has nibbled on the plant, and you notice any symptoms, please rush to the veterinarian quickly and get your pet diagnosed.

Please consider carrying the part of the plant that was nibbled by your pet so that it becomes easy to get the remedies.

How poisonous is the snake plant?

The Snake plant is considered and termed as mildly toxic to pets.
However, never take anything for granted. It produces a toxin called saponins, which causes gastrointestinal issues, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea.

We will discuss the symptoms in-depth as well.

In worst-case scenarios, the snake plant is also known to rupture the red blood cells.

The snake plant is non-digestible and is bitter. Hence there is very little probability that your pets would nibble a chunk of this plant.

In any circumstance, keep the snake plant away from the reach of children and pets. Also, make sure that your pets do not drink from the water stored in the plant tray.

Never try home remedies to cure the situation because we might face difficulties. Rush to the vet immediately or consult with him/her.

If the plant was nibbled in a small amount, then the symptoms will be easy for treatment. But if consumed in larger quantities, we might face trouble.

Signs of plant poisoning in pets

The snake plant produces a mild toxin known as Saponin. It is a foam-like substance when mixed with water.

This toxin will irritate the mouth and is also known to cause swelling in the mouth and tongue.

We should check signs for:

1. Vomiting
2. Oral pain
3. Excessive drooling
4. Nausea
5. Diarrhea
6. Ruptured red blood cells  

Snake plants take in the toxins and releases oxygen. The snake plant also releases night time oxygen. However, the plant is considered and labeled as toxic, according to ASPCA.

The snake plant is a great air purifier, and a person can survive using 7-9 snake plants in an air-sealed room. Isn’t that crazy already?

Make sure we keep this air-purifying plant away from the reach of children and pets.

We will discuss the signs in more detail while talking about the type of pets.

Which pets are most vulnerable to snake plants?

According to the ASPCA, they have stated that the snake plants are poisonous to dogs and cats. However, several studies show that it is toxic to most of our pets and children.

The toxin Saponins are mildly toxic to these pets because the snake plant is a bitter-tasting plant and is non-digestible.

When these pets try to eat the plant, they won’t take more than a bite or two.

However, for farm pets such as cows, horses, and ponies, this plant can be more toxic because they will take a larger portion of the plant.

The snake plant irritates the mouth and might cause swelling in the mouth and tongue. The plant can cause gastrointestinal issues.

As we have discussed in the worst-case scenarios, if eaten in large portions, the snake plant might cause the rupture of cells.

This lovely plant takes in all the toxins present in the environment, such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and absorbs a larger amount of carbon monoxide from the air.

Though the plant has extraordinary benefits, we might have to consider the spatial planting of the snake plant.

Snake plant toxic to dogs?

The Snake plant is poisonous to dogs.

The plant is termed as mildly toxic to dogs and can cause mild skin irritation. In the case of dogs, we need to check for symptoms like:

1. Excessive drooling
2. Irritation to the mouth, tongue
3. Vomiting
4. Nausea
5. Diarrhea
6. Gastrointestinal upset
7. Loss of appetite

Because the snake plant tastes bitter and your pets might not like the plant’s taste, this might be a good thing.

Generally, your dogs would only take a bite or two. But, be sure to check the plant and the amount your pet might have nibbled on them.

This way, we will get a rough idea of the amount consumed by your pet.

Snake plant toxic to cats?

Yes, the Snake plant is poisonous to cats.

The Snake plant is mildly toxic to cats as well and causes gastrointestinal issues to cats.

The snake plant releases sap, and this sap can irritate the skin.

For cats, we need to look for symptoms like:

1. Difficulty in swallowing
2. Nausea
3. Pawing at the mouth
4. Vomiting
5. Excessive drooling
6. Loss of appetite
7. Diarrhea
8. Gastrointestinal upset
9. Irritation in the mouth and tongue  

Check the amount of plant that your furry pet has nibbled upon.

Cats are more curious than dogs in such cases and can reach the most difficult of places. Hence, the use of Spatial planting is very much recommended.

Snake plant toxic to birds?

According to Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center, the snake plant is not toxic to birds and can be kept freely if you own only birds at your place.

These plants are considered safe for birds. But according to several vet recommendations, we must be cautious with our pet bird’s environment.

Though plants like Pokeweed also produce the same toxin as the Snake plant (Saponins), Pokeweed is considered toxic, and the Snake plant is considered safe.

Even if the plant is considered safe, we will list out the symptoms that are caused by the ingestion of Pokeweed, just in case we feel something is wrong with our birds.

The symptoms that we will need to look for in the case of birds:

1. Vomiting
2. Tremors
3. Depression
4. Birds falling from the perch
5. Collapse

Rest assured, you need to worry about the Snake plant and its relation to your birds.

What to do if your pet ate a Snake plant?

Pets are innocent, and we can never blame them even for their cutest mistake.

Well, in the case of the Snake plant, the APSCA has termed the plant is mildly toxic to cats and dogs.

The sap that the Snake plant produces is bitter, and your pets might not like the bitter-tasting sap and would leave the plant.

Whatever the case may be, we need to get in touch with the veterinarian as soon as possible.

We know that you would be worried and would like to take action in such a situation, but do not attempt to do so.

Only if you are medically certified proceed with the necessary ailments. A veterinarian will be the ideal choice.

He will consider taking removing the plant from the mouth by washing the mouth first. Other care that your vet will opt for will be taking blood samples.

Depict the situation in detail with the objective that your veterinarian appreciates the condition, the results, and the plant poison.

There might be circumstances where we may need to take the case of the drool that our pets release close by the plant so the vet can cross-check them.

Also, take the plant’s sample to the vet to be specific, and the ailment would be faster.

The treatment for the symptoms is relatively reasonable and can be treated easily with the Snake plants.

If the plant was consumed in a larger quantity, it could be an issue because it could cause a cell rupture.

Get in touch with the APSCA, and you vet immediately, and please do not be late.

Call them promptly and get some information about the situation.

Also, know the immediate action that needs to be done.

If your vet endorses getting your pet to the institution, then please do the needful.

We know that the situation is challenging and sad, but being active is the best choice.

How to keep your Snake plant away from pets?

We have always suggested making use of the Spatial planting of your houseplants if you own pets and if there are small children around.

Children and pets both are curious and innocent. They do not know what is around, what is good for them, and what should be avoided.

If you have pets around, then it is best to keep the pets away from the plants as we cannot teach them. Children can be taught that the plant is dangerous.

To stay on the safe side, we should keep it in a place where your children cannot get hold of the plant.

Also read: Best placement of snake plant

How to keep Snake plants away from cats?

Cats are jumpier and can reach far off places. To ensure that the cats do not chew upon the plants, we need to keep them away.

We can also keep the pots in bookshelves with the help of clustering.

Please consider leaving your furry friend in a different room from the one your plants are placed in whenever you are away.

We also need to ensure that the drainage tray is empty so that the cats do not drink the excess water removed from the plant.

Ceiling hangers can also be used to place the pots, and do not worry about your Feng-Shui.

How to keep Snake plants away from dogs?

Dogs are well behaved and can be trained so that they do not touch anything. However, what when you are not around?

We can use ceiling hangers to place the snake plant and also ensure whether your friend reaches the hanger using his hind legs.

Things to worry about is keeping the plants over a tablecloth or runners. Dogs love these and might pull them to play with it.

While keeping the plants on bookshelves, beware of the placement. Your pet might try to knock the pot.

Maintain the plant well because the shedding leaves can also cause an issue. Do pick them up if you come across any.

---

Source: Houseplants and Ornamentals, Pet poison online, Toxic plants, and companion animals.