Is Monstera Toxic to Dogs? Swiss Cheese Plant Risks

Name: Is Monstera Toxic to Dogs? Swiss Cheese Plant Risks
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

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

Yes, monstera is toxic to dogs. Every part of the plant, including the leaves, stems, and roots, contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting when chewed or swallowed [1]. Most dogs recover with supportive care, but a dog that eats a large amount or has swelling that affects breathing needs emergency help right away.

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

Quick Answer

Monstera deliciosa is listed as toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, with insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle [1].
The crystals are sharp and needle-like. They pierce the soft tissues of the mouth, tongue, and lips on contact, which is why pain and drooling start fast [1].
All parts of the plant carry the crystals, including leaves, stems, aerial roots, and the root ball in the pot [1].
Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 as soon as you know your dog chewed the plant.
Do not make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. The mouth is already irritated, and vomiting brings the crystals back up through the mouth and throat.

Is Monstera Toxic to Dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists Monstera deliciosa, also called the Swiss cheese plant, cutleaf philodendron, hurricane plant, ceriman, or Mexican breadfruit, as toxic to dogs and cats [1]. It belongs to the Araceae family, the same plant family as philodendrons, pothos, and peace lilies [1]. The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals [1].

This matters because monstera is one of the most popular houseplants in the United States. The big, split leaves are attractive to pets and easy for a dog to reach from the floor or a low shelf. A bored puppy or a dog with a habit of mouthing things may take a bite out of curiosity.

Is Monstera Deliciosa Toxic to Dogs?

Monstera deliciosa is the classic Swiss cheese plant, and it is toxic to dogs [1]. The ripe fruit is sometimes eaten by people, but the leaves and stems are the parts pets usually chew, and those are loaded with crystals [1]. Do not assume the plant is safe because the fruit is edible for humans.

Is Monstera Adansonii Toxic to Dogs?

Monstera adansonii, often sold as the Swiss cheese vine, belongs to the same genus and the same plant family, so it carries the same insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. The ASPCA record covers Monstera deliciosa specifically [1], but the toxic principle is shared across the Araceae family. Treat any monstera variety in your home as toxic to your dog.

Is Mini Monstera Toxic to Dogs?

Mini monstera is a common retail name for a smaller vining plant, and it is usually a Rhaphidophora or a related aroid. Plants in this group contain the same type of crystals as Monstera deliciosa [1]. If a plant has the split or holey leaves people associate with monstera, keep it out of your dog's reach.

Is Monstera Root Toxic to Dogs?

Yes. The crystals are present throughout the plant tissue, not only in the leaves [1]. A dog that digs in a pot, pulls up the root ball, or chews on a repotted division can get the same mouth irritation. Fallen leaves and pruned stems on the floor are just as risky as the plant on the shelf.

Is Monstera Harmful to Dogs in Other Ways?

The main harm is oral pain and gastrointestinal upset from the crystals [1]. A dog that swallows a large piece can also vomit or have trouble swallowing because of swelling and irritation in the mouth and throat [1]. If your dog has chewed any plant and you are not sure what it was, see Dog Ate Toxic Plant for a step by step plan.

The Toxic Principle: Insoluble Calcium Oxalate Crystals

Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals are tiny, sharp, and shaped like needles. They sit inside specialized cells in the plant called idioblasts. When a dog bites down, the cells rupture and the crystals shoot into the mouth tissue like microscopic splinters. That mechanical injury is what causes the immediate burning and pain.

The word insoluble matters. These crystals do not dissolve in the mouth or stomach the way soluble oxalates do. Soluble oxalates are the ones that can bind calcium and affect the kidneys after a large ingestion. The crystals in monstera are the insoluble type [1], so the main problem is local tissue damage in the mouth, throat, and stomach lining, not systemic poisoning.

Calcium oxalate shows up in veterinary medicine in other contexts too. It is the mineral in one type of bladder stone in dogs, and researchers have studied metabolic differences in dogs that form those stones [2][3]. That is a separate issue from plant exposure. Chewing a monstera leaf does not cause bladder stones. The connection is only that the same mineral compound appears in both situations.

For comparison, some plant poisons work very differently. Grayanotoxins from Rhododendron and Pieris plants cause vomiting, retching, and regurgitation in animals that eat the foliage [4]. Those plants are a different family with a different toxin and a different risk profile. Knowing the plant name matters because the treatment differs.

Signs of Monstera Poisoning in Dogs

The ASPCA lists oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing [1]. In practice, owners often notice the drooling first. It can be heavy and sudden, sometimes within minutes of the dog chewing the plant.

Other signs you may see:

Pawing at the mouth or rubbing the face on the floor
Whining or crying when the mouth is touched
Dropping food or refusing to eat
Swelling of the lips, tongue, or muzzle
Head shaking or repeated lip licking
Vomiting, sometimes with plant pieces visible
Restlessness or pacing

How Fast Do Signs Start?

Signs usually start within minutes to a couple of hours of chewing the plant. The crystals act on contact, so the pain begins as soon as the tissue is pierced. Drooling and pawing at the mouth are often the first things an owner sees.

How Long Do Signs Last?

Mild cases often improve over several hours to a day or two with supportive care. More severe cases, especially with vomiting or swallowing trouble, can take longer. Your veterinarian will give you a realistic timeline based on your dog's exam findings.

What to Do Right Now

Move your dog away from the plant and take the plant material out of the mouth if you can do it safely. Do not put your fingers deep into the mouth of a painful, frightened dog. You may get bitten.
Save a piece of the chewed plant or take a photo. Identification helps the veterinarian and the poison control team.
Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Have your dog's weight, age, and the amount chewed ready.
Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. The mouth and throat are already irritated, and vomiting pushes crystals back over those tissues.
Offer small amounts of water or plain ice chips if your dog will take them. Do not force food.
Watch for breathing changes. Swelling in the throat can narrow the airway, and that is an emergency.

If you have other plants at home and you are not sure which ones are safe, Plants Poisonous To Dogs covers the common household offenders.

Veterinary Treatment for Monstera Exposure

Treatment depends on how much your dog chewed and how severe the signs are. For mild cases with drooling and mouth pain but no vomiting, your veterinarian may flush the mouth with cool water or saline and send you home with instructions to monitor.

For dogs with vomiting, pain, or swelling, expect some of the following:

Intravenous fluids to support hydration and help clear the mouth and stomach
Medications to control nausea and vomiting
Pain relief, since the mouth irritation can be genuinely painful
Medications to reduce swelling if the face or throat is affected
A mouth exam, and sometimes sedation to do it safely
Blood work if your veterinarian wants to check organ function, especially in older dogs or dogs with other health problems

There is no antidote for calcium oxalate crystals. The body has to heal the irritated tissue, and treatment is about comfort, hydration, and watching for complications. Your veterinarian calculates every medication dose from your dog's weight and health status.

If your dog ate a large amount or has other medical conditions, your veterinarian may recommend hospitalization for monitoring. Dogs that develop trouble breathing from throat swelling need oxygen and close observation.

Outlook After a Monstera Chewing Incident

Most dogs do well. The crystals cause local irritation, and once the plant material is out of the mouth and the tissue has time to settle, signs fade. Dogs that only mouthed a leaf and drooled for an hour often recover fully with no lasting effects.

The dogs at higher risk are the ones that swallowed a lot of plant material, have severe vomiting, or develop swelling that affects breathing. Small dogs and puppies can be more affected by the same amount of plant because their tissues are smaller. Brachycephalic breeds (flat faced dogs like pugs and French bulldogs) may have less airway reserve if swelling develops.

Long term problems are uncommon after a plant exposure like this. The crystals do not accumulate in the body the way some toxins do. Once the irritated tissue heals, there is usually no ongoing issue.

Prevention and Safer Alternatives

The simplest fix is to keep monstera out of reach. Put it on a high shelf, hang it from the ceiling, or place it in a room your dog cannot enter. A closed glass cabinet or a plant stand above jumping height works well for determined dogs.

Other steps that help:

Pick up fallen leaves and pruned stems right away. They still contain crystals [1].
Cover the soil in the pot with a barrier if your dog digs.
Teach a solid "leave it" cue and reward your dog for ignoring plants.
Give your dog safe chew toys so the plant is less interesting.
Check every new plant before you bring it home.

If you want greenery without the risk, choose plants that are not toxic to pets. Plants That Aren't Toxic To Cats And Dogs lists options that are safer for households with animals.

Keep in mind that some human foods are also unsafe for dogs. Fruits And Vegetables Not Safe For Dogs covers the ones owners ask about most.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

This article covers the general pattern of monstera exposure in dogs. Your dog is an individual, and a veterinarian who examines your pet can give advice that fits the actual situation.

Call your veterinarian or a poison control line the same day if:

Your dog chewed a monstera leaf, stem, or root
Drooling or mouth pawing started within the last few hours
Your dog vomited once or twice but is otherwise acting normal
You are not sure how much plant material was eaten

Go to an emergency clinic now if:

Your dog is having trouble breathing, making noise when breathing, or breathing with the neck stretched out
The face, lips, or tongue are visibly swollen
Your dog is gagging, retching, or trying to vomit without bringing anything up
Your dog collapsed, is weak, or will not stand
Your dog is a puppy, a small breed, or a flat faced breed with any breathing change
Vomiting is repeated or your dog cannot keep water down

Schedule a routine visit if your dog chewed the plant days ago and seems fine but you want a mouth exam. Small cuts or irritated spots in the mouth can be easy to miss at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my dog die from eating a monstera leaf?

Most dogs do not die from chewing a monstera leaf. The crystals cause mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting, and most dogs recover with supportive care [1]. Death is rare and is usually linked to severe swelling that blocks the airway or to a large ingestion in a very small dog.

Should I make my dog throw up after eating monstera?

No, do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. The mouth and throat are already irritated by the crystals, and vomiting pushes that material back over the damaged tissue. Call your veterinarian or a poison control line and follow their instructions.

Can my dog get sick from just biting the stem?

Yes. The crystals are in the stem as well as the leaves and roots [1]. A single bite can cause immediate pain and drooling. The amount swallowed affects how long signs last, not whether signs happen at all.

Is the water in the vase or saucer toxic too?

Plant water can pick up small amounts of plant material and irritants. Do not let your dog drink from a monstera pot saucer or vase. If your dog drank some, rinse the mouth with water and call your veterinarian for advice.

Are all monstera varieties equally toxic?

All monstera and related aroids contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, so treat every variety as toxic. The ASPCA record names Monstera deliciosa specifically [1], but the same toxic principle applies across the family. When in doubt, keep the plant away from your dog.

References

Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Swiss Cheese Plant. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Serum and urine metabolomic profiling in Miniature Schnauzer dogs with and without calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society, 2026.
Candidate urinary biomarkers show promise for distinguishing between calcium oxalate versus struvite urolithiasis in dogs. American journal of veterinary research, 2024.
Grayanotoxin poisoning in animals following the ingestion of Ericaceae plants. Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997), 2026.