What should I do if my cat ate Schefflera?

Wipe out the mouth with a damp cloth to remove any remaining plant material, then offer a small amount of milk or yogurt — the calcium helps bind the oxalate crystals and ease the burn. Rinse paws and fur if your cat had contact. Do not induce vomiting. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline next. Call immediately for any swelling around the mouth or throat, noisy or labored breathing, or repeated vomiting. Even with mild signs, a same-day call is right — cats can hide oral pain and stop drinking, which leads to dehydration.

What should I do if my dog ate Schefflera?

Wipe the mouth with a damp cloth to remove plant fragments. Offering a small amount of milk or yogurt can help bind the oxalate crystals and reduce the burn. Do not induce vomiting. Then call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline. Call immediately for any swelling around the mouth or throat, any breathing change, or repeated vomiting. For mild drooling that's clearly easing, a same-day call to your vet for advice is still appropriate.

Schefflera — Taken by Fanghong — Photo by Taken by FanghongWikimedia CommonsCC BY 2.5

Photo by Taken by FanghongWikimedia CommonsCC BY 2.5

Pet safety reference

Schefflera

Q: Is Schefflera safe for cats?

Schefflera is potentially toxic to cats. The insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause immediate mechanical irritation. If your cat has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center.

Q: Is Schefflera safe for dogs?

Schefflera is potentially toxic to dogs. Ingestion typically results in immediate discomfort due to the needle-like crystals. Seek veterinary attention if you suspect your dog has consumed any part of the plant.

Schefflera arboricola

Schefflera is a popular tropical houseplant known for its glossy, palm-like leaflets arranged in a circular pattern. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation upon ingestion.

Check a list

Dwarf Umbrella TreeHeptapleurum arboricolaSchefflera arboricolaUmbrella Tree

Light: Bright indirect light
Habit: Upright shrub
Care: Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

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

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

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, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Escalation note

The insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause immediate mechanical irritation. If your cat has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, pawing at the mouth, and difficulty swallowing.

Escalation note

Ingestion typically results in immediate discomfort due to the needle-like crystals. Seek veterinary attention if you suspect your dog has consumed any part of the plant.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick

Areca Palm

Dypsis lutescens

Areca palm is a pet-safer tall plant with similar tropical palmate foliage.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Lady palm gives the same multi-leaf clumping form and is pet-safe.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Schefflera is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Schefflera arboricola is a broadleaf evergreen shrub often grown as a houseplant, known for its palmate leaves.

cats safety page My cat ate Schefflera dogs safety page My dog ate Schefflera

Often compared with

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Autograph Tree

Clusia major

Clusia major is a tropical evergreen shrub known for its thick, leathery leaves and unique ability to grow as an epiphyte. It is commonly kept as a houseplant for its architectural foliage, but it contains compounds that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Common Privet

Ligustrum vulgare

Common Privet is a semi-evergreen shrub often used for hedging that contains toxic compounds throughout the plant, particularly in the berries and leaves. Ingestion can lead to significant gastrointestinal distress in household pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Corn Plant

Dracaena fragrans

The Corn Plant is a popular indoor shrub known for its long, arching, sword-like leaves that resemble corn stalks. While aesthetically pleasing, it contains saponins that can cause adverse reactions if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Geranium Aralia

Polyscias guilfoylei

Polyscias guilfoylei is a tropical evergreen shrub often grown as an ornamental houseplant for its attractive, lacy foliage. It contains compounds that can cause irritation if ingested by household pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same growing conditions

Plants for the same room

Areca Palm

Dypsis lutescens

The Areca Palm is a popular indoor palm known for its feathery, arching fronds and air-purifying qualities. It is considered safe for households with pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if ingested in large quantities.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Banana Plant

Musa acuminata

The banana plant is a popular tropical houseplant known for its large, paddle-shaped leaves and rapid growth. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though its fibrous nature may cause mild digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia reginae

The Bird of Paradise is a popular tropical houseplant known for its striking, crane-like orange and blue flowers. While visually stunning, it contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Caroba

Jacaranda procera

Caroba is a tropical flowering tree known for its fern-like foliage and clusters of trumpet-shaped purple flowers. It is considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.