No, a true money tree isn’t toxic to cats.
The ASPCA lists the money tree (Pachira aquatica) as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, so a nibbled leaf won’t poison your pet. That’s good news, since this braided plant sits in a lot of living rooms where cats love to explore.
There are two catches I want you to know about. A pet who eats plant material can still throw up or get loose stools, and several toxic plants are sold under nearly the same name.
Once you know which plant you own and what to watch for, you can keep both your pet and your plant in good shape.
The ASPCA’s Answer on Money Tree Safety
The ASPCA puts the money tree plant on its list of non-toxic plants for both cats and dogs. That covers the leaves, stems, and trunk of Pachira aquatica, the wetland tree from Central and South America that’s sold with a braided trunk.
That answer applies only to that one species. The label on the pot is where cat safety starts, so it pays to check it. If you are stocking up, a money tree is the first thing I would pick up.
What Does Non-Toxic Mean for Cats and Dogs?
Non-toxic means the plant has no known poison that harms a pet’s body. A money tree won’t damage the kidneys, heart, or nerves the way a lily or sago palm does.
It still means “not food.” Cats and dogs don’t digest leaves well, so eating a lot of any plant upsets the stomach.
I think of the money tree as a low-risk plant you still keep out of reach, the same way you’d keep a pet from chewing a paper towel.
How Can You Confirm Your Plant Is Pachira aquatica?
Start with the plant tag. Look for the botanical name Pachira aquatica, since common names on tags are loose and sometimes wrong.
Then check the plant itself:
- Leaves: Each leaf has 5 to 9 glossy, pointed leaflets spreading from one point, like fingers on a hand.
- Trunk: Most store plants have 3 to 5 woody trunks braided together, with gray-brown bark.
- Growth: It grows upright like a small tree. It doesn’t trail, vine, or form a low rosette.
- Leaf texture: Leaflets are thin and smooth. Thick, fleshy, rounded leaves point to a jade plant.
If your plant trails over the edge of a shelf, it’s almost surely a different plant. A free plant ID app or a photo shown to a garden center can settle it.
What Happens If Your Pet Chews a Money Tree?
Most pets who chew a money tree leaf have no symptoms at all, or a short bout of mild stomach upset. A cat might vomit once and go right back to napping.
The amount eaten makes the difference. A nibble or two rarely causes trouble, while a pet that shreds half the plant has more fiber in its gut than it can handle.
Why Can a Non-Toxic Leaf Cause Stomach Upset?
Cats are meat eaters, and their stomachs aren’t built to break down tough plant fiber. Leaves scratch the throat and stomach lining a little, which sets off the gag reflex.
Dogs handle plant matter a bit better, but a big helping of leaves still irritates their gut. A puppy that swallows a chunk of stem has a small chance of a blockage, which is a different and more serious problem.
Which Signs Should You Watch For?
These are the common mild signs after a pet eats money tree leaves:
- Vomiting once or twice
- Drooling or lip licking
- Soft stool or mild diarrhea
- Eating less for a meal or two
Mild signs usually clear within 24 hours. Call your veterinarian if vomiting keeps going, your pet won’t eat for more than a day, or your pet seems weak or in pain.
What Should You Do Right After a Pet Eats a Leaf?
Stay calm, take the plant away, and figure out how much your pet ate. Those first few minutes give you the details a vet would ask about.
Remove the Plant and Check What Was Swallowed
Move the pot to a closed room or high shelf so your pet can’t go back for seconds. Then look over the plant and count the missing or torn leaves.
Check a few more things while you’re there:
- Is the soil disturbed or spilled? Your pet may have eaten potting mix or fertilizer pellets.
- Did you spray or feed the plant in the last few days?
- Are other plants nearby chewed too?
- Gently look in your pet’s mouth for leaf bits stuck in the teeth or gums.
Snap a photo of the plant and its tag. If you end up calling for advice, a clear photo helps a lot.
Monitor Your Pet Without Trying Home Remedies
Watch your pet for the next 12 to 24 hours and make sure fresh water is easy to reach. Note the time and number of any vomiting or loose stools.
Don’t try to make your pet throw up with hydrogen peroxide or salt. Those home tricks can hurt a cat or dog more than the leaf ever would, and only a vet or poison control expert should decide on that step.
Which Plants Get Confused with Money Trees?
The plant most often mixed up with the money tree is the “money plant,” and that one is toxic. Several other houseplants share similar names or looks, so the name alone tells you very little.
Money Plant or Pothos Is a Different, Toxic Plant
In most US stores, “money plant” means pothos (Epipremnum aureum), a trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves. The ASPCA lists pothos as toxic to cats and dogs.
Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. These tiny, needle-shaped crystals cause mouth pain, heavy drooling, pawing at the face, and vomiting. If you’re unsure which plant you have, I compare them side by side in my guide to money plant vs money tree.
Jade plant (Crassula ovata) also gets sold as a money plant or lucky plant. The ASPCA lists jade as toxic to cats and dogs, with vomiting and a slow heart rate among the signs.
Chinese Money Plant and Umbrella Plant Are Not Pachira
Chinese money plant is Pilea peperomioides, a small plant with round, coin-shaped leaves on long stems. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic, so it’s a safe mix-up.
The umbrella plant (Schefflera) is the riskier look-alike, since its leaflets also spread out like a hand. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs because it contains saponins and insoluble oxalates.
My guide on umbrella plant vs money tree shows how to tell the two apart.
| Plant | Botanical name | ASPCA rating for cats and dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Money tree | Pachira aquatica | Non-toxic |
| Money plant (pothos) | Epipremnum aureum | Toxic |
| Jade plant | Crassula ovata | Toxic |
| Chinese money plant | Pilea peperomioides | Non-toxic |
| Umbrella plant | Schefflera | Toxic |
Can Products on the Leaves or Soil Harm Pets?
Yes, the things you put on a money tree pose more risk than the plant itself. Fertilizers, bug sprays, and leaf shine products all end up where a curious pet can lick or chew them.
Check Fertilizers, Pesticides, and Leaf Treatments
Read every label for pet warnings before you use it. If a label says to keep pets away until the product dries, follow that time exactly.
My advice for a home with pets:
- Feed with a half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer about once a month in spring and summer, and none in winter.
- Pour fertilizer onto the soil, never onto the leaves.
- Skip leaf shine sprays. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth instead.
- Treat pests like mealybugs by wiping them off with a cotton swab before reaching for a spray.
If you want help picking a gentle feed, I cover options in my roundup of the best plant food for indoor plants.
Keep Potting Mix and Spilled Soil Out of Reach
Potting mix often holds slow-release fertilizer beads, and some dogs eat soil just for fun. Wet mix in a pet’s gut also causes constipation if they swallow enough.
Cover the soil surface with large, smooth stones too big to swallow, at least 2 inches across. A heavy ceramic pot with a wide base also keeps a climbing cat from tipping the whole plant and spilling soil on the floor.
Why Do Cats Keep Chewing the Leaves?
Most cats chew plants because the leaves move, feel interesting, and sit right where the cat can reach them. A money tree’s long, swaying leaflets look a lot like a toy to a bored cat.
Curiosity, Play, and Accessible Foliage
Cats hunt by pouncing on things that move. A leaf that sways when the heat kicks on gets batted, bitten, and sometimes swallowed.
Some cats also like the crunch of plant fiber, and many enjoy grass outdoors. An indoor cat without cat grass tends to settle for whatever green thing is closest.
When Repeated Plant-Eating Deserves a Vet’s Advice
A cat that suddenly starts eating plants every day, or eats them along with weight loss or a change in thirst, should see a veterinarian. Constant plant chewing sometimes goes along with stomach trouble, thyroid problems, dental pain, or stress.
I’d also book a visit if your cat vomits more than once a week. Hairballs and plant chewing get blamed for a lot of vomiting that has another cause.
How Can You Keep Pets and Your Money Tree Apart?
The easiest fix is placement, followed by giving your pet something better to