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

Fiddle Leaf Fig, Ficus lyrata: listed as toxic to cats and dogs (furocoumarins, psoralens, ficin, sesquiterpenoid glycoside, and triterpenes (genus-level source, not species-specific)). Signs, what to do, and how to confirm the species.

This page reports what veterinary poison-control references say about each plant. It is not a promise that a plant is harmless, and it is not treatment advice. 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.

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At a glance

Scientific name: Ficus lyrata
Also called:
Toxic to cats: Yes
Toxic to dogs: Yes
Toxic principle: Furocoumarins, psoralens, ficin, sesquiterpenoid glycoside, and triterpenes (genus-level source, not species-specific)

Is Fiddle Leaf Fig toxic to cats and dogs?

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).

Note on this entry

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.

What to do if your pet ate it

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.

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Confirm it is really this plant

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.

FAQ

Is Fiddle Leaf Fig safe for cats?

No. It is listed as toxic to cats.

Is Fiddle Leaf Fig safe for dogs?

No. It is listed as toxic to dogs.

My pet only chewed a leaf. Should I still call?

Yes. Amount, size of the animal and the part eaten all matter, and the hotlines are staffed to judge that. Calling early is cheaper than waiting for signs.

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