Yes. The ASPCA's Snake Plant entry lists the snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) as toxic to dogs and cats, with saponins 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 it, see the snake plant care guide.

What happens if a cat or dog eats a snake plant

The ASPCA's Snake Plant entry lists these clinical signs for dogs and cats: "Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea."

NC State Extension's Plant Toolbox page for Dracaena trifasciata lists the flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap and stems under "Poison Part," gives the toxic principle as saponins and rates the poison severity as "Low." Its symptom list is longer than the ASPCA's: "vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats)." The same page notes, "The sap can cause skin irritation."

What to do if your pet ate some

Call your veterinarian, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, which says it is available "24 hours a day, 365 days a year." The ASPCA's Snake Plant entry tells owners to "call the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or contact your local veterinarian as soon as possible," and notes, "A consultation fee may apply."

Have the plant's name ready. The ASPCA lists it as Sansevieria trifasciata; the accepted botanical name in Kew's Plants of the World Online is Dracaena trifasciata. Giving both avoids confusion. Then follow the instructions the veterinarian or poison control specialist gives you.

Are all snake plants toxic? Names, cultivars and cylindrical snake plant

Plants sold as "snake plant" go by several names, so it helps to know which one you have.

  • Sansevieria or Dracaena. Kew's Plants of the World Online gives the accepted name as Dracaena trifasciata, first published in Mabberley's Plant-Book in 2017, and lists Sansevieria trifasciata as a synonym. The ASPCA entry still uses the older name, so they are the same species. The care guide explains the rename.
  • Mother-in-law's tongue. The ASPCA's Snake Plant entry lists Golden Bird's Nest, Mother-in-Law's Tongue and Good Luck Plant as additional common names for the same plant.
  • Laurentii, Hahnii, Moonshine and other cultivars. NC State's Dracaena trifasciata page lists 'Laurentii', 'Hahnii', 'Moonshine', 'Black Gold' and 'Twisted Sister' among the cultivars of the species, the same species the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs.
  • Cylindrical snake plant is Dracaena angolensis, formerly Sansevieria cylindrica, a different species. NC State's Dracaena angolensis page states, "Toxic if ingested by cats and dogs: dilated pupils, vomiting, stomach upset, abdominal pain, drooling, weakness, depression." It gives saponin as the toxic principle and rates the severity "Low."

For any other plant sold as a snake plant, look up its botanical name before assuming either way.

Keeping a snake plant in a home with pets

  • Place it out of reach. A high shelf or a stand your pet cannot climb works better than a floor spot. A cat that climbs can reach places a dog cannot.
  • Pick up fallen leaves and trimmings. NC State lists the leaves, roots and sap among the plant's poison parts.
  • Divide and repot away from pets. Root pieces and cut leaves count as plant material too. See how to propagate a snake plant.
  • 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:

For longer lists, see plants safe for cats, plants safe for dogs and the toxic plant directory.

Frequently asked

Are snake plants toxic to dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA's Snake Plant entry lists Sansevieria trifasciata as toxic to dogs and cats. The toxic principle is saponins, and the listed signs are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Is it safe to have a snake plant in a house with cats?
The ASPCA lists the snake plant as toxic to cats, so no spot in the house makes it risk-free. If you keep one, put it where your cat cannot reach and pick up fallen leaves. If your cat chews plants, a plant the ASPCA lists as non-toxic, such as a spider plant, is the simpler choice.
Is mother-in-law's tongue toxic to cats?
Yes. Mother-in-Law's Tongue is one of the additional common names on the ASPCA's Snake Plant entry, which lists the plant as toxic to dogs and cats.
Is Dracaena trifasciata the same plant as Sansevieria trifasciata?
Yes. Kew's Plants of the World Online gives Dracaena trifasciata as the accepted name and lists Sansevieria trifasciata as a synonym. The ASPCA's Snake Plant entry uses the older name.
Is the cylindrical snake plant toxic to cats?
NC State Extension's page for Dracaena angolensis, formerly Sansevieria cylindrica, says it is toxic if ingested by cats and dogs, lists saponin as the toxic principle and rates the severity as low.
What should I do if my cat ate part of a snake plant?
Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. The ASPCA notes that a consultation fee may apply. Have both botanical names, Sansevieria trifasciata and Dracaena trifasciata, ready.

Sources: ASPCA: Snake Plant, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, ASPCA: Spider Plant, ASPCA: Parlor Palm, ASPCA: Boston Fern, ASPCA: Calathea, Kew POWO: Dracaena trifasciata, NC State Extension: Dracaena trifasciata, NC State Extension: Dracaena angolensis