Is Sago palm safe for dogs and cats?
Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.
ASPCA reports Sago palm (Cycas revoluta; Zamia species): listed as toxic to dogs and toxic to cats. Vomiting, black or tarry stool, yellow skin and gums, drinking more, bruising and bleeding problems, liver damage or failure, and death. The ASPCA's houseplant article says every part is dangerous and the seeds hold the most poison, with liver failure possible within about three days.
Checked October 29, 2026.
Also called: coontie palm, cardboard palm, cycads, zamias. Cycas revoluta; Zamia species.
What in it is the problem
Cycasin.
What it can do
Vomiting, black or tarry stool, yellow skin and gums, drinking more, bruising and bleeding problems, liver damage or failure, and death.
Good to know
The ASPCA's houseplant article says every part is dangerous and the seeds hold the most poison, with liver failure possible within about three days. Call a vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line, (888) 426-4435, right away.
Did your pet chew it?
Call your vet or a pet poison line, and say what plant, how much and when. If you aren't sure which plant it was, take a photo of it.
Poison emergency? Call now
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day, every day. A consultation fee may apply.
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, 24/7. $99 per incident, follow-up calls included.
Or call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
For the children
"Some plants can make pets sick, and lilies are very dangerous for cats. Ask a grown-up before you bring a plant or flowers inside."
A job: Be the plant checker. Help a grown-up look up each plant in the house on this site, and write the ones to keep away on a list.
This page is general information from the sources below, not veterinary advice. Common names are shared by different plants, so check the Latin name.
Sources
- ASPCA: Sago Palm (checked October 29, 2026)
- ASPCA: Is That Houseplant Safe for Your Pets? (checked October 29, 2026)