Is Calathea Toxic to Cats and Dogs? Pet Safety

Name: Is Calathea Toxic to Cats and Dogs? Pet Safety
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-03

If you share your home with a cat, a dog, or both, the short answer is good news. Calathea plants are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, so the question "is calathea toxic to cats and dogs" has a reassuring answer for most households [1]. That said, a few plants sold alongside calatheas can cause real harm, so it helps to know exactly what you brought home.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

Calathea species are listed as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center [1].
Calathea lancifolia, also called Calathea insignis or Maranta insignis, is also listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats [2][3].
There is no toxic principle listed for calathea, so poisoning is not the concern with this plant [1][2].
Eating leaves can still cause mild stomach upset or a blocked gut in some pets, which is a mechanical problem, not a poison problem.
Some plants that look like calathea, including certain aroids with calcium oxalate crystals, are toxic, so identify your plant before you relax.

Is Calathea Toxic to Dogs and Cats?

No. Calathea, often sold as prayer plant, is non-toxic to both dogs and cats [1]. The ASPCA record for Calathea spp. lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, with no toxic principles and no clinical signs of poisoning [1]. The lancifolia variety carries the same listing under both of its scientific names, Calathea insignis and Maranta insignis [2][3].

That means if your cat chews a leaf or your dog drags a pot across the floor, you are not looking at a poisoning emergency. You are looking at a plant that may end up shredded, plus a pet who might have a mild upset stomach from eating something that is not food.

If you want a broader list of safe options for a multi-pet home, our guide to plants that aren't toxic to cats and dogs covers several common choices.

Which Calathea Varieties Are Considered Safe?

Calathea is a genus, and the varieties sold in the United States usually fall under the same non-toxic listing [1]. Common names you may see on plant tags include prayer plant, peacock plant, rattlesnake plant, zebra plant, and pin-stripe calathea. The lancifolia type, known as rattlesnake plant, is specifically listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats [2][3].

One naming quirk is worth knowing. Calathea lancifolia has also been classified as Calathea insignis and Maranta insignis, and all three names point to the same non-toxic plant [2][3]. If your tag says Maranta, you may have a true prayer plant in the same family, Marantaceae, which is also generally considered pet safe.

Which Lookalikes Are Not Safe?

The risk in a multi-pet home is not calathea itself. It is the plant sitting next to it that gets mistaken for calathea.

Plants in the aroid family, including pothos, philodendron, monstera, and peace lily, contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing these causes intense mouth burning, drooling, pawing at the face, and vomiting. They are common houseplants and often displayed near calatheas on the same shelf.

Other plants with similar leaf shapes or variegation can also be toxic. If you are unsure what you own, our article on common houseplants toxic to cats and dogs can help you sort the safe from the dangerous. For cat-only households, plants toxic to cats goes deeper into feline-specific risks.

The Toxic Principle and What It Does in the Body

Calathea has no listed toxic principle, which is why it appears on non-toxic plant lists [1][2]. There is no toxin for the body to absorb, metabolize, or clear, so there is no poisoning syndrome to treat.

This is different from plants that contain calcium oxalate crystals. When a pet bites into those plants, the crystals pierce the soft tissues of the mouth and throat, causing pain and swelling. It is a physical injury at the point of contact, not a systemic poison.

It is also different from plants that cause kidney injury after being swallowed. Calcium oxalate can appear in kidney tissue after certain poisonings, such as ethylene glycol exposure, where acute tubular damage and crystal deposits are seen on histopathology [4]. That is a serious, life-threatening process and has nothing to do with calathea.

So when a pet eats calathea, the concern is mechanical. A large piece of leaf or stem can cause choking, gagging, or stomach irritation. In rare cases, a big swallowed chunk can cause a blockage, especially in a small dog or cat.

Signs to Watch For and Their Timeline

Because calathea is non-toxic, you are unlikely to see true poisoning signs [1]. What you may see is mild gastrointestinal upset from eating plant material.

Watch for drooling, one or two episodes of vomiting, mild diarrhea, or a pet who seems slightly off for a few hours. These signs usually show up within minutes to a few hours of chewing and tend to settle on their own.

Signs that point to something more serious include repeated vomiting, retching without producing anything, a swollen or painful belly, drooling that will not stop, pawing at the mouth, or trouble breathing. Those signs suggest either a different plant was eaten or a blockage has formed.

If your pet ate a plant you cannot identify, treat it as a possible poisoning until you know otherwise. Bring the plant or a clear photo with you to the vet.

What to Do Right Now

If your pet just chewed a calathea and seems fine, take the plant away, check the mouth for any stuck pieces, and offer fresh water. You can call your veterinarian for advice if you are unsure.

If your pet is drooling heavily, pawing at the mouth, vomiting repeatedly, or having trouble breathing, call for help right away. You can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both services may charge a consultation fee.

Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making a pet vomit can cause harm if the material is sharp, if the pet is already struggling to breathe, or if the wrong substance was eaten.

If you know the plant was calathea, tell the veterinarian or poison control the exact name on the tag. That detail changes the whole conversation.

Veterinary Treatment for Plant Ingestion

Treatment depends on what your pet actually ate and how they are acting.

For a confirmed calathea ingestion with mild signs, your veterinarian may recommend monitoring at home, a bland diet for a day, and plenty of water. Some pets get anti-nausea medication or a stomach protectant if vomiting is persistent.

If the plant was not calathea, treatment shifts. For calcium oxalate plant exposure, vets often flush the mouth, give pain relief, and treat vomiting. For suspected blockages, imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound may be needed, and surgery is possible in severe cases.

If a pet arrives with serious poisoning, treatment can include intravenous fluids, blood work, and supportive care. In one review of dogs and cats treated for anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, all patients had coagulation times back within reference intervals by 24 hours after admission, and survival to discharge was high in both dogs and cats [5]. That study is about a different poison, but it shows how quickly targeted veterinary care can turn a serious exposure around.

Doses of any medication are calculated by your veterinarian based on your pet's weight, species, and health status. Never give human medications at home without veterinary guidance.

Outlook After Calathea Ingestion

The outlook for a pet who ate calathea is excellent [1]. There is no toxin to clear, so most pets recover fully with simple supportive care or no treatment at all.

The main exception is a pet who swallowed a large amount and develops a blockage. Those cases need veterinary care and sometimes surgery, but they are uncommon.

If your pet has an underlying condition, such as kidney disease or a sensitive stomach, mention it to your veterinarian. Older pets and small breeds may handle a large plant meal less comfortably.

Prevention and Safer Alternatives

The best prevention is placement. Put calatheas on a high shelf, in a hanging planter, or behind a barrier your pet cannot cross. Cats climb, so a shelf alone may not be enough.

Offer safe chewing outlets instead. Cat grass, catnip, and sturdy pet-safe toys redirect the urge to nibble. Dogs benefit from chew toys and puzzle feeders.

If you want to expand your plant collection, choose species with a documented non-toxic listing. Our guide to plants that aren't toxic to cats and dogs is a good starting point, and what plants and flowers are toxic to cats helps you spot the ones to avoid.

Keep plant tags or photos of every plant in your home. If an ingestion happens, you will not have to guess.

Finally, remember that non-toxic does not mean edible. Calathea is not food, and a pet who eats a lot of it can still feel sick.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

This article covers calathea and its listed varieties. It cannot tell you what your specific pet ate or how they will respond. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your pet and ask the right questions.

Contact your veterinarian the same day if your pet vomited more than once, has diarrhea that will not stop, is drooling, or seems painful around the mouth or belly.

Go to an emergency clinic now if your pet is retching without producing anything, has a swollen or hard belly, is breathing with effort, is collapsing, or has a known exposure to a plant you cannot identify.

Schedule a routine visit if your pet keeps eating plants, has lost weight, or has repeated stomach upset after plant meals. A pattern of plant eating can point to an underlying issue worth checking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is calathea pet safe for both cats and dogs?

Yes. Calathea is listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats, so it is considered pet safe in most homes [1]. The lancifolia variety carries the same non-toxic listing under its alternate scientific names [2][3]. A pet who eats it may have mild stomach upset, but poisoning is not expected.

Is prayer plant toxic to pets?

No. Prayer plant is a common name used for calathea and related Marantaceae plants, and these are listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats [1]. The name can also be applied loosely to other plants, so check the scientific name on the tag. If the tag says Calathea or Maranta, you are likely fine.

What happens if my dog eats a calathea leaf?

Most dogs have mild signs or none at all. You might see drooling, one episode of vomiting, or soft stool, and these usually pass within a few hours. If your dog ate a large amount or is retching repeatedly, call your veterinarian.

Can calathea cause kidney problems in cats?

No. Calathea has no listed toxic principle and is not linked to kidney injury [1]. Kidney damage from plant poisoning is tied to other exposures, such as ethylene glycol, which causes acute tubular damage with calcium oxalate deposits in the kidneys [4]. If your cat has kidney signs, the cause is something else and needs veterinary testing.

How do I tell calathea apart from toxic houseplants?

Look at the tag first, then the leaves. Calathea leaves often have bold patterns and may fold at night, and the plant does not have milky sap. Toxic aroids like pothos and philodendron often have thick, waxy leaves and release milky or clear sap when cut. If you cannot identify the plant, keep it out of reach and ask your veterinarian or a plant specialist.

References

Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Calathea. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Calathea Lancifolia 3. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Calathea Lancifolia 2. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Ethylene glycol poisoning in a free-roaming cat associated with suspected animal cruelty: a forensic veterinary case report in South Korea. Frontiers in veterinary science, 2026.
Intravenous Administration of Vitamin K1 in Dogs and Cats Presented for Anticoagulant Rodenticide Poisoning: A Retrospective Study of 58 Cases. Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001), 2026.