But did you know that all of them can make your cat or dog sick if he or she ingests any part of the leaves, stems, bark, or roots?
Fortunately, dracaena is not a highly toxic houseplant, and your pet’s odds of recovery after mild poisoning are very good.
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However, all of the pet owners I know shudder at the thought of pussy or fido undergoing any suffering after they opted to make a meal of one of their houseplants.
As an added nuisance, this plant is even more tempting to cats than most, because it looks like grass.
And you know how cats and dogs love to graze on grass! Fortunately, their bitterness helps to serve as a deterrent.
In this guide, we will go over the symptoms and treatment for dracaena poisoning in your pets, and what exactly it is that makes these houseplants mildly toxic to your fur babies.
As a veterinarian, I’ve seen my fair share of plant poisoning cases in cats. Today, I want to talk about something that many cat parents might not know – Dragon Trees (Dracaena marginata) are actually toxic to our feline friends! Let me break down everything you need to know to keep your kitty safe.
What Makes Dragon Trees Dangerous for Cats?
Dragon Trees contain chemicals called saponins in their
- Leaves
- Stems
- Bark
- Sap
These compounds can make your cat pretty sick if they decide to take a nibble. I’ve treated several cases where cats got into Dragon Tree plants, and while most recovered with proper care, it’s definitely not something you want your furry friend experiencing.
Warning Signs Your Cat Ate Dragon Tree
If your cat has been munching on a Dragon Tree watch for these symptoms
-
Immediate signs
- Excessive drooling
- Pawing at mouth
- Lip licking
- Gagging or choking sounds
-
Within a few hours:
- Vomiting (might see plant pieces)
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Depression
-
Severe cases may show:
- Muscle tremors
- Breathing difficulties
- Dilated pupils
- Weakness
- Confusion
What To Do If Your Cat Eats Dragon Tree
- Don’t panic! But act quickly
- Remove any plant material from your cat’s mouth if possible
- Call your vet or pet poison control immediately
- Collect a sample of the plant to bring to the vet
- Monitor your cat closely
- NEVER try to make your cat vomit without vet guidance
Safe Alternatives to Dragon Trees
We get it – plants make homes beautiful! Here are some cat-safe options I recommend to my clients:
- Spider plants
- Ponytail palms
- Prayer plants
- Boston ferns
- Bamboo palms
- Air plants
- Cat grass
- Catnip (bonus: your cat will love it!)
Tips for Cat-Proofing Your Dragon Tree
If you really can’t part with your Dragon Tree, here’s what I tell my clients:
-
Placement is key:
- Put plants on high shelves
- Use hanging baskets
- Keep in closed rooms
-
Deterrent methods:
- Citrus peels around the base
- Pet-safe bitter sprays
- Physical barriers like plant cages
-
Training techniques:
- Positive reinforcement when ignoring plants
- Provide alternative entertainment
- Use noise deterrents when approaching plants
My Personal Experience
Last year, I treated a cat named Whiskers who got into his mom’s Dragon Tree while she was at work. Poor little guy was drooling and vomiting when they rushed him in. With quick treatment (including IV fluids and anti-nausea meds), he made a full recovery. But his mom felt awful – she had no idea the plant was toxic!
Prevention is Better Than Treatment
Here’s what I always say to my clients: “The best medicine is prevention!” Some practical tips:
- Research any new plants before bringing them home
- Keep a list of toxic plants handy
- Do regular plant checks for signs of nibbling
- Consider fake plants in high-risk areas
- Provide plenty of cat-safe greens
The Bottom Line
Dragon Trees might be pretty, but they’re not worth risking your cat’s health. If you’ve got both cats and Dragon Trees at home, either rehome the plant or take serious precautions to keep them separated. Your kitty’s safety should always come first!
Got more questions about plants and pet safety? Drop a comment below or schedule a chat with your local vet. We’re always happy to help keep your furry family members safe and healthy!
Remember: When in doubt, keep it out (of kitty’s reach)!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
Saponins: When Soap is a Bad Thing
The guilty chemical that causes so much pain in animals is called a saponin.
That comes from the Latin word “sapon” meaning soap, and saponins foam when they are shaken with water.
This has even led to the naming of D. mannii as the West African soap tree.
A number of different types of saponins have been isolated from plants in the Dracaena genus.
Different species of this genus can have different combinations of saponins.
These chemicals vary in their degree of toxicity. Some of them can cause animals to become extremely ill, while others have little effect.
Many of the dracaena saponins are steroids and contribute to the use of this plant as a form of traditional medicine in west Africa.
Some saponins are used industrially as detergents, and foam for fire extinguishers.
But eating them, well, that’s really not recommended.
Symptoms of Dracaena Poisoning in Pets
There is a good chance that your pet could be nibbling at your plants behind your back. (Shocking!)
If you notice bits missing, or you have reason to believe your pets have been making midnight snacks of the greenery in the corner, after taking the following steps it may be a good idea to reconsider which types of flora you choose to grow indoors, for the benefit of the animals.
It is a huge help if you know what to look for if your pet has ingested a poisonous houseplant.
With dracaena, a mildly toxic plant, adverse symptoms after ingestion include:
- Abdominal pain
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils (cats)
- Excessive drooling
- Fast heartbeat
- Incoordination
- Stumbling
- Vomiting
- Weakness
You should call your vet immediately if your pet has ingested dracaena.
If your cat or dog has one or more of these symptoms, there is a good chance that he or she will need emergency veterinary care.
It can take 12-24 hours for the symptoms to stop, and this could leave pussy or fido severely dehydrated and suffering from an electrolyte imbalance. Your vet can help to correct these issues.
At this point, you are probably asking yourself, “What will she have to go through to get better?”
There are actually two answers to that question. The first has to do with the toxins in dracaena, and the other is about the plant itself.
Even if the plant didn’t contain any toxins, the leaves and stems would still irritate your pet’s stomach.
If your pet has been vomiting for a lengthy period, she may have become dehydrated.
Severe dehydration can require hospitalization, so that she can be given electrolytes and intravenous fluids.
If your cat ingested dracaena leaves and is struggling to eliminate them, your vet can induce vomiting. Do not try to induce vomiting at home.
Fortunately, no deaths have been reported after pets have eaten D. marginata, one of the commonly grown species of this plant.
With the help of your vet, your cat or dog should make a quick recovery within 24 hours of having eaten any dracaena parts.
The symptoms should stop as soon as all the plant materials (leaves or bark) have been eliminated, either orally or rectally.
Plants That Are Toxic to Cats!!
FAQ
Are dragon tree plants toxic?
This plant goes by many other common names such as Madagascar dragon tree, money tree, corn plant, and dracaena marginata. There are many different species, all varying slightly in appearance, but all equally toxic. The Agavaceae family is known for having toxins containing steroidal saponins.
What to do if my cat eats dracaena?
If the plant is toxic, your vet may suggest inducing vomiting at home or giving your cat activated charcoal capsules.
What tree is toxic to cats?
Everyone loves a good fruit tree. However, some species of fruit trees, particularly apple/crabapple, apricot, cherry, peach, and plum can be toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
What is the most toxic plant to cats?
Are dragon trees poisonous to cats?
In summary, the Dragon Tree is a beautiful and popular houseplant that can pose a danger to cats if ingested. As awareness of the risks associated with toxic plants like the Dragon Tree continues to grow, it’s important for cat owners to take precautions to keep their feline friends safe.
Can cats eat dragon trees?
They explained, “Dragon Trees contain saponins, which are a type of plant compound that can be toxic to cats. When cats ingest the leaves of a Dragon Tree, these saponins can cause irritation to the digestive tract and other symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
What if my pet eats a dragon tree?
If you think your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline or seek immediate veterinary treatment. Dragon Tree Are Toxic To Pets. Dracaena species plants contain saponins which may cause drooling, vomiting, weakness, incoordination & dilated pupils
Are Dracaena plants safe for pets?
The dragon tree is, arguably, the most popular dracaena plant that is grown in the US. Although some areas of America are suitable for growing dracaena outdoors most are not and so you are more likely to see dragon trees growing as houseplants rather than yard plants. So, being an indoor plant dragon trees are usually easily accessible to pets.
Is Dracaena poisonous to cats?
Dracaena species plants contain saponins which may cause drooling, vomiting, weakness, incoordination and dilated pupils (cats) when ingested. The content of this page is not veterinary advice. A number of factors (amount of substance ingested, size of the animal, allergies, etc.) determine what is toxic to a particular pet.
Are dragon trees poisonous to rabbits?
The dragon tree, like all other species of dracaena, are not known to be poisonous to rabbits. However, a rabbit should be given a well-balanced diet and not fed only on dragon tree. Feeding a rabbit only dragon tree can result in digestive issues. Although something is common that doesn’t always mean its the right thing to do.