Is Jade Plant Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Short answer: yes. Jade plant (Crassula ovata) is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs by the ASPCA. It rarely kills a healthy pet, but it can make one genuinely sick — vomiting, lethargy, and wobbliness are the classic signs. Here's exactly what to watch for, what to do, and which succulents are safe to keep instead.
Quick verdict
Toxic? Yes — to cats and dogs (ASPCA-listed). Also mildly irritating to humans.
How bad? Usually mild to moderate. Not typically fatal, but vomiting and incoordination are common and a vet call is warranted.
Toxic part: the whole plant — leaves, stems and sap. The exact toxic compound in Crassula ovata is still unidentified.
What is a jade plant, exactly?
Jade plant is Crassula ovata — a thick-stemmed succulent with glossy, oval, coin-shaped leaves that are often edged in red when it gets enough light. It's sold under a pile of names: money plant, money tree, lucky plant, friendship tree, dollar plant. That's the first problem: "money plant" also refers to Pilea peperomioides (pet-safe) and Epipremnum aureum / pothos (toxic, different reason). If you're not 100% sure your succulent is actually a jade, the safety answer changes — so confirm the species before you decide it's fine.
Symptoms of jade poisoning in pets
Signs usually show up within a few hours of a cat or dog chewing or eating jade. The most commonly reported:
- Vomiting — the most frequent sign
- Lethargy or depression — unusually low energy, hiding
- Incoordination (ataxia) — stumbling, a "drunk" walk, trouble balancing
- Slow heart rate — uncommon, but reported in some cases
- Loss of appetite
Cats often show the incoordination more dramatically than dogs. Symptoms are usually self-limiting, but a small pet that eats a large amount can get dehydrated from repeated vomiting.
What to do if your pet ate jade
- Remove any plant material from their mouth and move the plant out of reach.
- Note how much they ate and when. A single nibble is very different from a chewed-up stem.
- Call your vet, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Have the plant's name ready — "Crassula ovata, jade plant."
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.
- Watch for worsening: repeated vomiting, extreme wobbliness, or collapse means go in now.
Not sure it's actually a jade?
Snap a photo and Nature Lenz identifies the exact species in seconds — so you know whether it's on the toxic list before your cat does. Free, no paywall.
Get the free app →Pet-safe succulents to keep instead
You don't have to give up succulents. These are non-toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA:
For the full picture, see our guide to which succulents are safe for cats and our list of cat-safe houseplants verified against the ASPCA.
The bottom line
Jade is a low-to-moderate risk toxic plant — not the scariest thing on the shelf, but genuinely toxic and worth keeping off the floor and out of reach of a determined cat. If a pet does chew it, most recover fine with a vet's guidance. And if you inherited a "money plant" and aren't sure which one it is, identify it before you assume it's safe.
FAQs
Can a jade plant kill a cat?
It's very unlikely to be fatal to an otherwise healthy cat. Jade toxicity is usually mild to moderate — vomiting, lethargy and incoordination that resolve with supportive care. The bigger risk is a small or young pet getting dehydrated from repeated vomiting, which is why a vet call is still the right move.
Is jade plant toxic to dogs too?
Yes. The ASPCA lists Crassula ovata as toxic to both cats and dogs, with the same symptoms: vomiting, depression, incoordination, and occasionally a slowed heart rate.
Is jade plant poisonous to humans?
Mildly. The sap can irritate skin, and chewing leaves can cause mild mouth or stomach upset. It's not a serious human hazard, but wash your hands after pruning and keep it away from small children.
My cat only licked a jade leaf — should I worry?
A single lick or tiny nibble usually causes little more than mild drooling or a small amount of vomiting, if anything. Watch for a few hours. If vomiting repeats or your cat becomes wobbly or very sleepy, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
What succulent looks like jade but is safe?
Several. Echeveria and Graptopetalum (ghost plant) have similar plump rosette leaves and are non-toxic. If you want the tree-like jade look specifically, there isn't a perfect pet-safe lookalike — the safest move is to keep the real jade up high and out of reach.