A quiet index

Which houseplants love your pet back?

Search any plant by name to see if it's safe for cats and dogs — complete with symptoms, care notes, and safer alternatives.

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Swiss Cheese Plant

Monstera deliciosa

Large-leaved climber often mislabeled split-leaf philodendron and flagged toxic to cats and dogs for insoluble calcium oxalate irritation.

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CerimanMonsteraMonstera deliciosaSplit-leaf philodendronSwiss cheese plant
Light
bright indirect
Habit
climbing
Care
moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Sources

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Cats — concern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing after chewing.

Escalation note

Generally an irritating exposure rather than life-threatening.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing after chewing.

Escalation note

Seek veterinary guidance for more than mild symptoms.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum

Pet-safe stand-in — and not classified as toxic to cats or dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Safer pick
Bird's Nest Fern
Asplenium nidus

Same moderate care routine — and not classified as toxic to cats or dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Safer pick
Money Tree
Pachira aquatica

Same bright indirect light — and not classified as toxic to cats or dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Source evidence

ASPCA: Cutleaf Philodendron

toxicology · 98% reliability

Open source

ASPCA lists cutleaf philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) as toxic to dogs and cats due to insoluble calcium oxalates.

NC State Extension: Monstera deliciosa

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

NC State Extension confirms Monstera deliciosa identity and notes it is distinct from true Philodendron.