Is Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law's Tongue) Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Snake plant is mildly toxic to both cats and dogs — saponins in the leaves cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in nibblers. Serious illness is unlikely; treat supportively.
Usually minor, but watch for symptoms.
Usually minor, but watch for symptoms.
In an emergency, do not wait.
Medical disclaimer: This tool is for general information only and isnot a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Toxicity depends on the amount, your pet’s size, and health history. If your pet may have ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian or a poison control hotline ((888) 426-4435 / (855) 764-7661) immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear.
What is Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law's Tongue)?
Snake plant is mildly toxic to both cats and dogs — saponins in the leaves cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in nibblers. Serious illness is unlikely; treat supportively.
Also known as: sansevieria, dracaena trifasciata, mother in laws tongue, mother-in-law tongue, vipers bowstring hemp, snakeplant.
Symptoms to Watch For
🐕 In Dogs
- Mild drooling and mouth irritation from chewing the leaves
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in larger amounts
- Clinical signs are usually mild and self-limiting
🐈 In Cats
- Mild drooling and mouth irritation
- Occasional vomiting or mild diarrhea
- Signs are usually mild and settle on their own
What to Do If Ingested
- Remove any remaining leaf material from the mouth.
- Rinse the mouth with water if there is drooling.
- Offer water and watch for vomiting over the next few hours.
- Call a vet only if vomiting is persistent or your pet seems unwell.
Steps apply to both cats and dogs. When in doubt, call a vet or poison hotline before acting. Have a cat? Run the Pet Poison Triage Wizard for cat-specific steps.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
Call your veterinarian or a poison control hotline right away if you notice any of these:
- A large amount of leaves was eaten
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Lethargy or refusal to eat beyond a day
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the snake plant actually dangerous to cats?
Only mildly. The leaves contain saponins, which irritate the stomach and cause drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea if a cat eats a meaningful amount of leaf. It will not cause organ failure, and most cases pass with little more than an upset stomach — but repeated nibbling is still worth preventing.
What are saponins?
Saponins are bitter, soap-like compounds that many plants produce as a natural defense against grazing. In pets they irritate the stomach lining, causing nausea and loose stools. The same compounds are found in other popular houseplants such as the corn plant (Dracaena) — snake plant is among the milder saponin-containing plants.
My cat keeps chewing my snake plant. What should I do?
Move the plant out of reach and offer a pot of cat grass as an acceptable alternative — most cats chew plants for fiber or boredom. If the behavior persists, talk to your vet about enrichment, or swap to verified non-toxic plants such as spider plants, calathea, or peperomia so chewing carries no risk at all.
Sources
This entry is reviewed against the following authoritative veterinary sources.
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Database
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Toxicology
- Pet Poison Helpline — Poisons
Last reviewed: 2026-10-16