Is Fiddle Leaf Fig Toxic to Cats and Dogs? (Ficus lyrata)

Merck Veterinary Manual (Ficus spp, genus-level, includes Ficus lyrata) lists Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) as toxic to cats and dogs. The toxic principle is Furocoumarins, psoralens, ficin, sesquiterpenoid glycoside, and triterpenes (genus-level source, not species-specific).

PARTIALLY VERIFIED — The ASPCA database has no dedicated Ficus lyrata entry. ASPCA's "Fiddle-Leaf" entry is actually Philodendron bipennifolium (a different species entirely; not used in this table). A Pet Poison Helpline on-site search also returned no Ficus lyrata-specific result. The toxic_principle for this entry uses the Merck Veterinary Manual's genus-level "Ficus spp" entry (covering related species such as weeping fig, rubber tree, and climbing fig) as the only available primary source; no species-verified clinical_signs text for Ficus lyrata was found, so that field is left blank.

If a pet may have eaten a plant, contact a veterinarian, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Note what was eaten, how much and when, and bring a photo or a piece of the plant. Do not induce vomiting or give home remedies unless a professional tells you to.

• Aloe Vera
• Azalea
• Chrysanthemum
• Cyclamen

Toxicity lists are by species, and many houseplants look alike. Photograph the whole plant, a leaf close-up and any flower in even light; the app reads the species first, then you can check it here. If the species is uncertain, act as if it were toxic.