Is Monstera Toxic to Dogs? What Every Owner Should Know

Yes, monstera is toxic to dogs. Also toxic to cats. The culprit is calcium oxalate crystals, which cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if your dog takes a bite.

The short answer

According to the ASPCA (source), monstera is listed as toxic to dogs. That doesn’t mean a casual sniff is dangerous, but ingestion will cause symptoms.

Symptoms to watch for

• Excessive drooling
• Pawing at the mouth
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite for 12+ hours
• Lethargy or unusual hiding
• Diarrhoea

Severe cases (rare from monstera): difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the throat, dehydration. If you see any of those, go to the vet immediately.

What to do if your dogs ate monstera

1. Don’t panic. monstera toxicity is real but rarely fatal in small doses.
2. Identify how much was eaten. A single leaf chewed and spat out is different from half the plant consumed.
3. Remove plant material from the mouth. Rinse with water if you can.
4. Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435. $95 fee, available 24/7, run by toxicologists.
5. For dogs in the UK, call your vet or the Veterinary Poisons Information Service.
6. Don’t induce vomiting unless instructed. Some plant compounds cause more damage coming back up.

Keeping monstera out of reach

• Hanging baskets work for dogs.
• Citrus peel mulch deters most dogs from approaching the soil.
• Bitter-apple spray on the leaves is safe and unpleasant; usually one taste is enough.
• Give your pet their own plant: cat grass or wheat grass redirects chewing behaviour.
• If the plant is precious, dedicate a closed room.

Why monstera is toxic to dogs

Aroid family plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals embedded in microscopic needle-like structures called raphides. When chewed, these crystals release into the mouth and throat, causing immediate burning pain and swelling. This is why pets that chew on aroids paw at their mouths and drool heavily within minutes.

The reaction is dose-dependent. A small nibble usually causes brief discomfort. Substantial ingestion can cause hours of vomiting and dehydration, which is when a vet visit becomes important even for “mildly toxic” species.

When to call the vet vs. monitor at home

Go to the vet immediately if:

• The pet is having difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling is visible around the mouth, throat, or face
• Vomiting continues for more than 4 hours
• The pet is unusually lethargic, unresponsive, or has bloody stool
• You know a large amount was eaten

Monitor at home is usually fine if:

• Only a small amount was eaten (a leaf bite, a small chew)
• The pet seems alert and is drinking water
• Any drooling or mouth pawing resolves within an hour
• No vomiting after the initial reaction

When in doubt, call. Most vet phone lines will give a quick assessment for free and tell you whether to come in. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center charges $95 but specialises in plant toxicities specifically.

Safer alternatives

If monstera stress doesn’t feel worth it, these confirmed pet-safe plants have similar looks or growing habits:

• Spider plant (similar trailing/cascading habit to many popular species)
• Parlor palm (similar low-light tolerance, pet safe)
• Boston fern (lush, full, pet safe)
• Calathea (patterned leaves, pet safe)
• Peperomia (compact, varied leaf shapes, pet safe)

How the ASPCA toxic plant list works

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center maintains a database of about 1,000 plants categorised as toxic, non-toxic, or both. The categorisation is based on documented cases of poisoning in cats, dogs, and horses, reviewed by veterinary toxicologists.

A few important caveats when using the list:

• “Non-toxic” means the plant lacks compounds known to cause systemic poisoning. It does not mean a pet can eat unlimited quantities without consequence.
• Severity ratings are not part of the public listing. Some “toxic” plants cause mild discomfort; others can be fatal.
• The list is species-specific. Common names overlap, so cross-check the latin name when looking up your plant.
• The list focuses on cats and dogs. Birds, reptiles, and small mammals have different sensitivities not covered.

For severity context that is not on the public list, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline at (888) 426-4435 is the most reliable source. The $95 fee is high but you reach a toxicologist who knows what specific compounds in the plant do.

Other pets to consider

If you have a household with multiple species, monstera may rank differently for each:

• Birds: Many houseplant toxins affect birds far more severely than mammals because of their efficient respiratory systems. Avoid all aroid family plants and any plant with calcium oxalate.
• Rabbits and guinea pigs: Smaller body weight means smaller toxic doses. Even mildly toxic plants can cause serious illness. Default to confirmed safe species only.
• Reptiles: Many keep iguanas or tortoises that browse on vegetation. Their tolerances vary by species; check with a reptile vet for specific listings.
• Children: Toddlers often mouth household objects including plant leaves. Treat plant safety in homes with young children the same way you would for a cat, defaulting to non-toxic species in reachable spots.

Further reading

• Full list of pet-safe houseplants
• Monstera care guide

Related Care Guides

• Is Monstera Toxic to Cats? What Every Owner Should Know
• Is Pothos Toxic to Cats? What Every Owner Should Know
• Is Snake Plant Toxic to Cats? What Every Owner Should Know
• Is Pothos Toxic to Dogs? What Every Owner Should Know
• Is Snake Plant Toxic to Dogs? What Every Owner Should Know