Cats & Dogs
Generally safeConsulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
Pet safety reference
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
The spider plant is a popular, easy-to-care-for houseplant known for its arching, grass-like foliage and trailing plantlets. It is widely considered safe for households with pets, though large ingestions of fibrous material may occasionally cause mild digestive upset.
Anthericum comosumChlorophytum comosumRibbon PlantSpider IvySpider Plant
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Habit
- Clumping with trailing stolons
- Care
- Low
Safety status
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
None typically expected; however, excessive consumption of fibrous leaves may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.
Escalation note
This plant is non-toxic. If your cat consumes a large amount and shows persistent gastrointestinal distress, contact your veterinarian.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
None typically expected; however, excessive consumption of fibrous leaves may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.
Escalation note
This plant is non-toxic. If your dog consumes a large amount and shows persistent gastrointestinal distress, contact your veterinarian.
Bring it home
Spider Plantis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.
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Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Spider plant is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
botanical · 94% reliability
Chlorophytum comosum is a perennial herb in the Asparagaceae family, commonly used as a houseplant.
Questions about Spider Plant
Is the spider plant toxic to cats?
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are non-toxic to cats. They are classified as generally safe, meaning no toxic principles are known to cause harm.
What happens if my cat eats a spider plant?
Symptoms are not typically expected, but excessive consumption of the fibrous leaves may occasionally lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea. This is a physical reaction to the fibrous material, not a toxic one.
My cat ate a lot of spider plant — should I call the vet?
If your cat ate a small amount, monitor for mild GI upset and it should resolve on its own. If your cat consumed a large quantity and shows persistent vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian.
Why do cats chew on spider plants?
Cats are often attracted to spider plants, possibly due to a mild hallucinogenic effect similar to catnip — though this is not documented in the classification data for this plant. Non-toxic does not mean harmless in quantity; repeated ingestion of large amounts of fibrous leaves can cause ongoing digestive upset, so it is worth discouraging the behavior.
Are spider plants toxic to dogs?
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are non-toxic to dogs. They are classified as generally safe for households with pets, so a nibble or small ingestion is not a medical emergency.
What happens if a dog eats a spider plant?
Most dogs experience no symptoms at all. However, because the leaves are fibrous, eating a large amount may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. These effects are due to the plant material itself, not a toxic compound.
How much spider plant is dangerous for a dog?
Spider plants contain no known toxins, so there is no toxic dose. That said, the fibrous leaves can irritate the digestive tract in quantity, causing temporary GI upset — the same way a dog might react to eating a large amount of grass.
What should I do if my dog ate a large amount of spider plant?
If your dog ate only a small amount, no action is needed. If they consumed a large quantity and are showing persistent vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian. Because this plant is non-toxic, supportive care at home (water, bland food, monitoring) is usually sufficient for mild stomach upset.
Same genus
More from the Chlorophytum genus
Same safety verdict
Other plants with the same verdict
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Garden cosmos is a daisy-like annual usually treated as a pet-safe flowering option, though any large plant ingestion can still cause mild stomach upset.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Calathea
Calathea spp.
Calathea are popular tropical houseplants known for their striking, patterned foliage and rhythmic leaf movement. They are considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Dwarf Date Palm
Phoenix acaulis
The Dwarf Date Palm is a slow-growing, stemless palm species native to the grasslands of India. It is widely appreciated for its compact, architectural foliage that mimics the appearance of larger date palms in a miniature form.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Hanging Lobster Claw
Heliconia rostrata
Heliconia rostrata is a tropical perennial known for its dramatic, pendulous inflorescences. While generally considered non-toxic to pets, ingestion of any plant material can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Same growing conditions
Plants for the same room
Hoya
Hoya pubicalyx
Hoya is a popular, low-maintenance trailing houseplant known for its waxy, succulent-like leaves and fragrant clusters of star-shaped flowers. It is considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Not yet rated for cats.
Not yet rated for dogs.
Cuban Oregano
Coleus amboinicus
The Bread and Butter plant is a succulent herb known for its aromatic, fleshy leaves often used in culinary applications. While popular as a kitchen herb, it contains essential oils that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Jade Plant
Crassula argentea
The Jade Plant is a popular succulent known for its thick, woody stems and fleshy, oval-shaped leaves. While aesthetically pleasing, it contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Peperomia
Peperomia peltifolia
Peperomia is a diverse genus of popular, low-maintenance houseplants known for their thick, succulent-like foliage and compact growth habit. They are generally considered safe for households with pets, though individual plant parts can cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Generally safe for cats.
Not yet rated for dogs.
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