Is rubber plant toxic to cats and dogs?
Quick answer
Toxic to cats and dogs. Rubber plant contains proteolytic enzyme (ficin) and psoralen.
Not sure it’s this plant?Check yours with a photo, freeRubber plant Ficus elastica
Don’t confuse it with baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia), which ASPCA lists as non-toxic. The rubber plant’s milky sap irritates the mouth, gut and skin.
What to do if your pet ate it
If you think your cat or dog ate any part of a rubber plant, act quickly. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
- Remove the plant from the pet’s reach.
- Call your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately.
- When you call, have the plant’s name or a photo ready. Tell the vet roughly how much your pet ate and when.
Do not induce vomiting unless a vet specifically instructs you to. It can make some poisonings worse.
Symptoms
In cats and dogs, chewing it or contact with the sap can cause:
- Irritation of the mouth and drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Skin irritation where the sap touched
Non-toxic plants for similar light
Christmas cactusSchlumbergera spp.Bright, indirect lightPet-safe
Staghorn fernPlatycerium bifurcatumBright, indirect lightPet-safe
Japanese araliaFatsia japonicaBright, indirect lightPet-safe
Nerve plantFittonia verschaffeltiiBright, indirect lightPet-safeSee all pet-safe alternatives →
Pet-safety information in the JungleBook uses ASPCA reference data where available. It is reference information, not veterinary advice. The ASPCA Weeping Fig record names Ficus sp., an unspecified species. It does not name this species or explicitly cover every Ficus. We retain the toxic verdict as a precaution. Sources: ASPCA: Baby Rubber Plant, Pet Poison Helpline: Ficus.
All rubber plant guides
Related plants
ASPCA reference · Last reviewed: