Is ZZ Plant Toxic to Cats and Dogs? (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

We could not find ZZ Plant in the ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline or Merck references we opened, so this page makes no claim either way. Treat it as unknown and keep it out of reach.

UNVERIFIED — Checked the ASPCA entry (no dedicated zz-plant / Zamioculcas page), Pet Poison Helpline (on-site search returned no results, 404), and the Merck Veterinary Manual houseplants page (Zamioculcas / ZZ Plant does not appear in the list). None of the three primary sources had species-specific data, so secondhand content from gardening websites was not used. All fields are left blank and this entry is listed as unverified.

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.

Since this page was first written we have found a species-specific listing. NC State Extension's plant database lists Zamioculcas zamiifolia as toxic to cats and dogs, and to people if eaten in quantity. It rates the severity as medium, names the leaves as the poisonous part and calcium oxalate as the toxic principle, and gives diarrhoea and vomiting as the signs if leaves are eaten in quantity; it does not list contact dermatitis. Wikipedia also notes calcium oxalates among the compounds in the plant, and The Sill says the foliage can irritate cats, dogs and humans if eaten.

The ASPCA list still has no ZZ plant entry. Treat the plant as toxic: keep it out of reach, and if a pet has chewed it, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435. Care advice for the plant is on our ZZ plant care page.