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Plants · Sansevieria trifasciata

Is Snake Plant Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Cats

Toxic — usually mild

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (ASPCA).

Dogs

Toxic — usually mild

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (ASPCA).

Yes, the snake plant (mother-in-law's tongue) is toxic to cats and dogs. It contains saponins, which the ASPCA says cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Signs are usually limited to the stomach. Call your vet if your pet keeps vomiting or seems unwell.

Written by VetExpenses Editorial TeamFact-checked against cited sources · Veterinary review pendingLast reviewed

Educational information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or ate something worrying, call your veterinarian or a pet poison line now. Emergency steps.

Snake Plant: plant facts

Snake Plant facts
Scientific nameSansevieria trifasciata
FamilyAgavaceae
Other namesMother-in-law's tongue, Golden bird's nest, Good luck plant
Toxic partsLeaves
Toxic principleSaponins
Where you'll find itindoor

Severity scale: “usually mild” means the ASPCA lists only mouth, stomach or skin irritation; “highly toxic” means it lists organ failure, heart effects, seizures or death.

Signs to watch for

Cats

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

Dogs

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

My pet ate snake plant. What do I do?

  1. Take any remaining plant away from your pet and note which plant (photo or label) and how much was chewed.
  2. Call your veterinarian or a pet poison line: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435, Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. A fee may apply.
  3. Don't make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian or poison control tells you to.

What it could cost

If your pet needs care after eating snake plant

We publish a price range only after it is checked against named sources — our poisoning treatment and vet visit guide is in verification. A vet bill for this kind of visit is usually built from these line items:

  • Exam or emergency consultation fee
  • Tests: bloodwork, urine tests or imaging
  • Treatment, such as decontamination or medication
  • Hospital stay and monitoring, if needed
  • Follow-up visits and recheck tests
Would pet insurance cover this? Run the numbers How we verify vet prices

Pet-safe alternatives

Related plants

Plants toxic to catsPlants toxic to dogsPlants safe for cats

Sources

  1. Snake Plant — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Accessed November 8, 2026.

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