Is Pothos Toxic to Cats and Dogs? Symptoms and What to Do

Updated 25 October 2026 · about 4 min read

Yes. The ASPCA lists pothos (Epipremnum aureum, also sold as devil's ivy or golden pothos) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which irritate the mouth as soon as they're chewed. Most pets get a painful mouth, drool and may vomit, and serious poisoning is uncommon because the pain stops them eating much. If your pet has chewed pothos, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Why pothos is toxic

Pothos cells hold tiny needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate. When a cat or dog bites into a leaf, the crystals are released and embed in the soft tissue of the lips, tongue and throat. That causes immediate burning and swelling. It's the same defense used by many plants in the arum family, including monstera, philodendron, peace lily, dieffenbachia and ZZ plant.

Every part of the plant contains the crystals, so a chewed stem or a dropped leaf is as much a problem as a leaf still on the vine.

Symptoms of pothos poisoning in cats and dogs

Signs usually start within minutes of chewing:

  • Pawing at the mouth or face
  • Heavy drooling or foaming
  • Red, irritated or swollen lips, tongue and gums
  • Vomiting
  • Trouble swallowing or a reduced appetite
  • Crying out or seeming distressed

In rare cases, swelling of the mouth and throat can be bad enough to make breathing hard. Any trouble breathing is an emergency, so go straight to a vet.

What to do if your cat or dog ate pothos

  1. Move your pet away from the plant and remove any leaf pieces still in its mouth, if you can do that safely.
  2. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. It's open 24/7, though a consultation fee may apply. Have the plant's name and a rough idea of how much was eaten ready.
  3. Don't make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to. Bringing the crystals back up can irritate the mouth and throat a second time.
  4. Watch for worsening signs over the next few hours, especially swelling, repeated vomiting or any change in breathing.

Most pets recover fully with little or no treatment. A vet may suggest rinsing the mouth or offering a small amount of water or a treat to ease the irritation, and will treat more serious swelling or dehydration if needed.

Is pothos more dangerous for cats or dogs?

It affects both in the same way. Cats tend to run into it more often because they like to chew trailing leaves and can climb to shelves where pothos often hangs. Dogs are more likely to chew a whole stem or a fallen cutting. In both, the mouth pain usually limits how much gets eaten.

How to keep pothos if you have pets

If you'd like to keep your pothos, the goal is to make it unreachable rather than just out of the way:

  • Hang it from the ceiling well away from furniture a cat could jump from.
  • Trim long vines so they don't dangle within reach.
  • Pick up fallen leaves and cuttings, including ones rooting in water.
  • Keep propagation jars somewhere closed off. A cat drinking from the jar is a common way pets are exposed.

For a cat that climbs everything or a dog that chews whatever it finds, it's safer to move the plant to a room the pet can't enter or give it to a friend.

Pet-safe alternatives to pothos

These trailing or easy-care plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA:

  • Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum): easy, fast-growing, and makes trailing babies.
  • Swedish ivy (Plectranthus): a close match for pothos's trailing habit.
  • Peperomia: many types, including trailing ones like Peperomia prostrata.
  • Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): full and lush in a hanging basket if you keep it humid.

See our full list of plants safe for cats and dogs for more.

Not sure what plant your pet chewed?

Poison control and your vet will want to know exactly which plant it was, and pothos is easy to mix up with heartleaf philodendron. Planted can identify a plant from a photo, which helps you give the right name on the phone and check the rest of your plants for pet safety.

Common questions

Is a small bite of pothos dangerous?

A single bite usually causes mouth irritation and drooling that settles within a few hours. Because every pet is different, it's still worth calling your vet or a poison control line to check, especially for small cats, puppies, or pets with other health problems.

Is neon pothos or marble queen pothos safe?

No. Neon, marble queen, golden, pearls and jade, and other pothos varieties are all the same species, Epipremnum aureum, and all contain calcium oxalate crystals. Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) is a different plant but is also considered toxic to pets.

Can pothos kill a cat?

Deaths from pothos are very rare. The immediate pain usually stops a cat from eating much. The main risks are severe swelling that affects breathing and dehydration from repeated vomiting, both of which need a vet.

Is pothos toxic to humans?

It can irritate the mouth and skin in people too, so keep it away from small children who put things in their mouths. Some people also get a mild rash from the sap when pruning, so washing your hands afterward is a good habit.