Pet safety reference

Golden Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Very common trailing houseplant widely sold as pothos or devil's ivy and regularly flagged as irritating if chewed.

Check a list
Devil's ivyEpipremnum aureumGolden pothosIvy arumPothosTaro vine
Light
low to bright indirect
Habit
trailing vine
Care
easy

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, burning of the mouth, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing are commonly reported.

Escalation note

Most exposures are irritating rather than life-threatening, but painful mouth symptoms can be significant.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, mouth pain, drooling, vomiting and swallowing difficulty are commonly reported.

Escalation note

Prompt veterinary guidance is appropriate when symptoms are more than mild.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum

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

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Safer pick
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata

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

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Safer pick
Baby Rubber Plant
Peperomia obtusifolia

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

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Source evidence

ASPCA: Golden Pothos

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

ASPCA lists golden pothos as toxic to dogs and cats because of insoluble calcium oxalates.

NC State Extension: Epipremnum aureum

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

NC State Extension confirms Epipremnum aureum as the accepted identity and notes its common-name variants.

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum

Classic trailing philodendron with heart-shaped leaves, listed as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Satin Pothos
Scindapsus pictus

Silver-flecked climbing vine frequently sold beside pothos but botanically distinct, with a similar irritation profile if chewed.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Swiss Cheese Vine
Monstera adansonii

Smaller trailing Monstera with heavily fenestrated leaves; toxicity profile mirrors Monstera deliciosa.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata

Common upright houseplant still sold under the former Sansevieria name, with low-to-moderate irritation risk if chewed.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.