Snake plant (Sansevieria, now Dracaena trifasciata) in Pets

Snake plant (mother-in-law's tongue) contains saponins that can upset a pet's stomach. Learn what signs to expect, home care and when to call your vet.

What It Is

Snake plant, also called mother-in-law's tongue, is a hardy succulent with stiff upright sword-shaped leaves. Botanists now place it in the genus Dracaena. It contains saponins, soap-like compounds that irritate the stomach and intestines.

Where Pets Come Across It

Bedrooms, offices and corners of living rooms, prized because it tolerates low light and little water. Cats sometimes chew leaf tips; puppies chew leaves at floor level.

Which Animals Are Affected

Cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to both.

Published Toxic Dose

No toxic dose is published, and serious poisoning is not expected. The bitter taste usually limits how much a pet eats. The calculator shows no risk tier for this plant.

Signs and How Soon They Appear

Drooling, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, usually within a few hours and short-lived.

What to Do Right Now

Remove plant pieces from the mouth, offer water and watch your pet. Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea continues for more than a few hours or your pet stops eating. Do not induce vomiting.

Why snake plant rarely causes serious trouble

Snake plant's leaves are stiff, fibrous and bitter, so most pets take a single bite and stop. That is one reason poison centres see mostly mild cases. Problems are more likely with puppies that shred a whole leaf for fun, or with very small pets. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes, so pups that dig in pots may chew the roots, which also contain saponins. If your pet keeps returning to the plant, move it into a room that is closed off, or swap it for a low-light plant listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic, such as the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) or cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior). Calathea and prayer plants (Maranta) are also listed as non-toxic but prefer more humidity.

What saponins do

Saponins are soap-like plant compounds that foam when shaken in water. In the gut they irritate the lining and can make it more permeable, which causes nausea, drooling and diarrhoea. They are poorly absorbed into the bloodstream, which is why plants whose main toxins are saponins, such as snake plant, are generally considered mildly toxic. Many common foods, including legumes and quinoa, also contain saponins in small amounts. Large, rapid ingestions in very small pets can still cause enough vomiting to lead to dehydration, so offer water and watch for repeated episodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and References

• ASPCA: Snake Plant
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Houseplants and Ornamentals Toxic to Animals

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