Is it toxic to dogs?
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia · Araceae
Also called Zanzibar gem, Eternity plant
Toxic to dogs
Severity: Mild
Yes, mildly. ZZ plant has no entry of its own in the ASPCA plant database, but ASPCA Poison Control lists it among houseplants with needle-like calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and diarrhea if a dog chews it.
- Toxic parts
- Leaves, Stems and stalks
- Toxic compounds
- Insoluble calcium oxalates (raphides)
- Where you’ll find it
- Houseplant
Signs of poisoning
- Mouth discomfort
- Drooling
- Retching and nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Head shaking
- Pawing at the mouth
- Rarely, throat swelling and trouble breathing
Why it’s harmful to dogs
The ZZ plant has earned a reputation as unkillable: thick, glossy, arching stems with oval leaflets, sprouting from fat underground rhizomes that store water. It shrugs off low light and missed waterings, so it shows up in homes and offices everywhere.
It belongs to the arum family, the same group as pothos, philodendron and peace lily. ZZ plant has no entry of its own in the ASPCA plant database, but an ASPCA Poison Control article names it among the common houseplants whose leaves, stems and stalks contain needle-like calcium oxalate crystals called raphides. Chewing releases them into the mouth and can cause drooling, retching, vomiting and diarrhea. NC State Extension rates the plant's toxicity to dogs as medium, with the leaves as the toxic part.
The ASPCA article rates the severity of these plants as low and notes that throat swelling with trouble breathing is rare. For insoluble oxalate plants in general, Merck Veterinary Manual describes a good to excellent outlook.
If your dog ate zz plant
Move the plant away and note how much your dog chewed. Pawing at the mouth, drooling and vomiting are the usual result. Call your vet or a poison helpline for advice. If you're in the US, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 are available (fees may apply); elsewhere, phone your local emergency vet. Never try to make your dog vomit yourself.
Go to an emergency clinic right away if your dog's face, lips or tongue swell, breathing sounds noisy or hard, or your dog can't swallow. Bring a leaf or a photo of the plant.
Keeping your dog safe
Put ZZ plant on a high shelf or in a room your dog can't enter. Because it tolerates dim corners, it's easy to tuck it somewhere your dog can't reach.
Watch for snapped stems if you prune or repot, and bag the cuttings so no one chews on them. Teach a reliable "leave it". For similar low-fuss plants that are listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs, try parlor palm or spider plant.
Dog-safe alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is the ZZ plant poisonous to dogs?
Yes, mildly. An ASPCA Poison Control article lists it among houseplants with calcium oxalate crystals and calls their severity low, and NC State Extension rates its toxicity to dogs as medium.
Which part of the ZZ plant is toxic?
The leaves, stems and stalks contain the crystals, according to the ASPCA. NC State Extension names the leaves as the toxic part.
Will a ZZ plant kill my dog?
Serious illness is unlikely. For insoluble oxalate plants, Merck Veterinary Manual describes a good to excellent outlook, though the ASPCA says throat swelling is rare but possible. Call your vet if your dog chewed one.
Is ZZ plant worse than pothos?
They have the same type of crystals and similar effects. Treat all of them as toxic and keep them out of reach.
Is ZZ plant on the ASPCA toxic plant list?
Not as its own entry. The ASPCA plant database has no listing for Zamioculcas, so this page relies on an ASPCA Poison Control article that names ZZ plant among crystal-containing houseplants, plus NC State Extension, which lists it as a problem for dogs.
Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy