Philodendron
Also known as Heartleaf Philodendron, Sweetheart Plant, Cordatum. One plant, one grade per pet — the verdicts below are transcribed from primary sources and human-reviewed.
Heartleaf philodendron is toxic to cats (S2 Irritant): its insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause oral pain, swelling, drooling, and vomiting, but ingestion is rarely life-threatening.
FULL VERDICT →Heartleaf philodendron is toxic to dogs (S2 Irritant): its insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause oral pain, swelling, drooling, and vomiting, but ingestion is rarely life-threatening.
FULL VERDICT →Care at a glance
What happens if it's eaten
Signs on record for each animal, transcribed from the cited sources.
- oral irritation; pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips
- excessive drooling, gagging
- vomiting
- difficulty swallowing
- in rare instances, severe throat swelling with breathing difficulty
- oral irritation; pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips
- excessive drooling, gagging
- vomiting
- difficulty swallowing
- in rare instances, severe throat swelling with breathing difficulty
When to call the vet
Call your vet if drooling or vomiting persists or worsens or your cat refuses food or water — and immediately if you notice throat swelling or any breathing difficulty (rare, per Pet Poison Helpline).
FULL VERDICT →Call your vet if drooling or vomiting persists or worsens or your dog refuses food or water — and immediately if you notice throat swelling or any breathing difficulty (rare, per Pet Poison Helpline).
FULL VERDICT →Safe swaps, graded S0
Non-toxic on record for cats — verified against the index at build time.
FAQ
Does this verdict cover the philodendron variety I own?
It covers the heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum), also sold as sweetheart plant and cordatum — that is the ASPCA entry this page transcribes. One name to watch: the plants sold as split-leaf and cutleaf "philodendron" are not philodendrons at all but Monstera deliciosa, which has its own entry here. For the many named cultivars on shelves today the ASPCA has no separate listing, so we don't grade them individually — "philodendron" on a tag is a trade name, not proof of species. Until a variety has its own entry, keep it out of chewing range and treat any chewing like this page.