Yes. The ASPCA lists philodendrons as toxic to both cats and dogs. Its Heartleaf Philodendron entry (Philodendron hederaceum) and its genus-level Philodendron Pertusum entry ("Philodendron spp") both name insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle. If your pet chewed or swallowed any, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
For growing them, see the philodendron care guide and the heartleaf philodendron care guide.
What happens if a cat or dog eats a philodendron
The ASPCA's Heartleaf Philodendron entry lists these clinical signs: "Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing." Its Philodendron bipennifolium entries, such as Split Leaf Philodendron, describe "intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips" instead of pain and swelling.
NC State Extension's Philodendron hederaceum page lists the flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap and stems under "Poison Part," rates the poison severity as "Low" and lists the plant as a cause of contact dermatitis.
What to do if your pet ate some
Call your veterinarian, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The ASPCA's instruction is: "If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435." The same page notes, "A consultation fee may apply."
Have the plant's botanical name ready, since philodendron common names overlap (see the table below), and a photo if you are not sure what you have. Then follow the instructions the veterinarian or poison control specialist gives you.
Which philodendrons does the ASPCA list?
Every entry below lists the plant as toxic to dogs and cats, under the scientific name shown.
| ASPCA entry | Scientific name (ASPCA) | Also toxic to horses |
|---|---|---|
| Heartleaf Philodendron | Philodendron hederaceum | Yes |
| Cordatum | Philodendron oxycardium | Yes |
| Philodendron Pertusum | Philodendron spp. | Yes |
| Lacy Tree Philodendron | Philodendron selloum | Yes |
| Tree Philodendron | Philodendron selloum | Not listed |
| Split Leaf Philodendron, Fiddle-Leaf, Horsehead Philodendron, Panda Plant, Red Emerald, Red Princess, Saddle Leaf | Philodendron bipennifolium | Not listed |
| Cutleaf Philodendron | Monstera deliciosa | Not listed |
- The Cordatum entry is heartleaf philodendron under an older name, per NC State. Its P. hederaceum page lists Philodendron oxycardium (the Cordatum entry's scientific name) and Philodendron micans among the species' former names, and 'Brasil' as a cultivar (see Philodendron Brasil vs. heartleaf).
- Fiddle-Leaf here is P. bipennifolium, not the fiddle-leaf fig.
- Red Emerald. The ASPCA's entry gives P. bipennifolium, but NC State's Philodendron erubescens page lists 'Red Emerald' and 'Pink Princess' as cultivars of P. erubescens, which it also lists as a problem for cats and dogs.
- Names cross over. Six of the seven P. bipennifolium entries (all but Horsehead Philodendron) list "Heartleaf Philodendron" and "Cordatum" among their additional common names, so a common name alone doesn't pin down the species.
What is split-leaf philodendron?
The ASPCA's Split Leaf Philodendron entry gives the scientific name Philodendron bipennifolium. The ASPCA also uses the name for a different plant: its Cutleaf Philodendron and Mexican Breadfruit entries, both Monstera deliciosa, list "Split-leaf Philodendron" among their additional common names. All three entries list the plant as toxic to dogs and cats (see is monstera toxic to cats).
Heartleaf philodendron or pothos?
NC State's P. hederaceum page says heartleaf philodendron "is often confused with" Epipremnum aureum (pothos), and tells them apart by the philodendron's "conspicuous stipules on new growth" and "non-grooved petioles" (see pothos vs. philodendron). For a pet owner, the mix-up doesn't change the answer: the ASPCA's Golden Pothos entry (Epipremnum aureum) also lists pothos as toxic to dogs and cats, with insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle. See are pothos toxic to cats.
Are all philodendrons toxic? Silver Sword, Birkin and others
The ASPCA's Philodendron Pertusum entry is genus-level ("Philodendron spp"), and its article These Houseplants Can Cause Trouble for Your Pets lists "Philodendron varieties (Philodendron spp.)" among insoluble calcium oxalate-containing plants that it says "are toxic." NC State's genus page lists "Problem for Cats" and "Problem for Dogs." For species without their own ASPCA entry, NC State's species pages say the same:
- Silver Sword (Philodendron hastatum): NC State's page lists "Problem for Cats" and "Problem for Dogs," calcium oxalate crystals as the toxic principle and these symptoms: "If ingested, it can cause mouth and stomach irritation." Care: Silver Sword philodendron care.
- Birkin (Philodendron 'Birkin'): NC State's page lists "Problem for Cats" and "Problem for Dogs," with calcium oxalate crystals as the toxic principle.
Keeping a philodendron in a home with pets
- Hang trailing types high. A hanging planter or high shelf suits heartleaf philodendron; trim any vine that hangs within reach.
- Pick up fallen leaves and trimmings. NC State lists the leaves, stems and roots among the poison parts.
- Wear gloves when pruning. NC State's genus page says, "The sap can cause skin irritation."
- Don't rely on deterrents. No placement or deterrent spray guarantees that a pet will leave a plant alone. If your pet is a determined chewer, a plant the ASPCA lists as non-toxic is the simpler choice.
Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic
The ASPCA's plant list adds a caveat that applies to every plant: "the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats." With that in mind, these houseplants have ASPCA entries listing them as non-toxic to dogs and cats:
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), another hanging-basket plant: ASPCA entry. Care: spider plant care.
- Boston fern: ASPCA entry. Care: Boston fern care.
- Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans): ASPCA entry. Care: parlor palm care.
For longer lists, see plants safe for cats, plants safe for dogs and the toxic plant directory.
Frequently asked
Sources: ASPCA: Heartleaf Philodendron, ASPCA: Cordatum, ASPCA: Philodendron Pertusum, ASPCA: Lacy Tree Philodendron, ASPCA: Tree Philodendron, ASPCA: Split Leaf Philodendron, ASPCA: Fiddle-Leaf, ASPCA: Horsehead Philodendron, ASPCA: Panda Plant, ASPCA: Red Emerald, ASPCA: Red Princess, ASPCA: Saddle Leaf, ASPCA: Cutleaf Philodendron, ASPCA: Mexican Breadfruit, ASPCA: Golden Pothos, ASPCA: These Houseplants Can Cause Trouble for Your Pets, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, ASPCA: Spider Plant, ASPCA: Boston Fern, ASPCA: Parlor Palm, NC State Extension: Philodendron, NC State Extension: Philodendron hederaceum, NC State Extension: Philodendron hastatum, NC State Extension: Philodendron 'Birkin', NC State Extension: Philodendron erubescens