Is Weeping Fig toxic to cats?
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina, the common ficus tree) is an irritant to cats (S2 Irritant): its sap carries ficin and the psoralen ficusin, which cause gastrointestinal and skin irritation — drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritated skin where the sap touches.
- TOXINproteolytic enzyme (ficin), psoralen (ficusin)
- WHAT TO EXPECTgastrointestinal irritation; decreased appetite; drooling
- CALL THE VETCall your vet if vomiting or diarrhea persists or worsens, your cat stops eating, or a skin reaction spreads.
Symptoms
| SIGN |
|---|
| gastrointestinal irritation |
| decreased appetite |
| drooling |
| vomiting |
| diarrhea |
| dermal irritation (skin contact with sap) |
If your cat just ate it
Same floor look, minus the risk
3 floor plants graded S0 — non-toxic on record.
Care at a glance
FAQ
What happens if my cat chews a weeping fig?
An irritated mouth and gut, and possibly irritated skin — the ASPCA lists the signs for Ficus benjamina as "Gastrointestinal and dermal irritation," and the toxic principles as "Proteolytic enzyme (ficin), psoralen (ficusin)." Pet Poison Helpline describes the mechanism: the plant's sap is irritating, so "irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract may occur" after chewing, and "Dermal irritation is also possible if the sap gets on the pet's skin." Its signs to watch for are decreased appetite, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation, and it rates the plant at a mild toxicity level for cats. The skin route is why the grade is S2 Irritant rather than S1. Remove chewed leaves and dropped ones, and watch for those signs; if they persist or worsen, call your vet.
Is the weeping fig the same plant as the rubber plant? The ASPCA calls it "Indian rubber plant".
No — two different Ficus species that share a nickname, and the ASPCA's own labelling is the source of the confusion. The ASPCA's entries "Fig" and "Indian Rubber Plant" both give the scientific name Ficus benjamina, the weeping fig on this page. The rubber plant most shops sell is Ficus elastica, which has its own record on our rubber plant page, graded S2 Irritant. The two records land in the same place because the genus shares the same defence: Pet Poison Helpline says "Numerous species of plants belong to the genus Ficus and contain irritating sap." Check the leaf, not the label — a weeping fig has small pointed leaves on a drooping tree; a rubber plant has large, thick, glossy ones. Either way, if a cat chews it, watch for drooling, vomiting, or irritated skin, and call your vet if signs persist.
Are weeping figs toxic to dogs too?
Yes, with the same record. All three ASPCA entries for Ficus benjamina read "Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats," with ficin and ficusin as the toxic principles and "Gastrointestinal and dermal irritation" as the signs, and Pet Poison Helpline rates the weeping fig at a mild toxicity level for dogs as well as cats. A floor-standing ficus drops leaves constantly, which is how most dogs meet it. The grade is S2 Irritant on our weeping fig page for dogs. Clear fallen leaves, watch for drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or irritated skin; if signs persist, call your vet.