Is Chinese banyan toxic to cats and dogs?
Quick answer
Toxic to cats and dogs. Chinese banyan contains proteolytic enzyme (ficin) and psoralen.

Chinese banyan Ficus microcarpa
What to do if your pet ate it
If you think your cat or dog ate any part of a Chinese banyan, 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
Wax plantHoya carnosaBright light, some sunPet-safe
Sweetheart plantHoya kerriiBright light, some sunPet-safe
Gerbera daisyGerbera jamesoniiBright light, some sunPet-safe
Windmill palmTrachycarpus fortuneiBright light, some sunPet-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.
All Chinese banyan guides
Related plants
ASPCA reference · Last reviewed:


