Is Fig Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Ficus benjamina
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Ficin and psoralen (in the milky sap) |
| Onset of symptoms | Within an hour |
| Indoor / outdoor | indoor |
If your pet ate this plant
Both lines are staffed 24/7. A consultation fee applies to each. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
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Symptoms in dogs
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Skin/mouth irritation from sap
Symptoms in cats
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Skin/mouth irritation from sap
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What to do
Wipe away visible sap; usually resolves with monitoring. Sap can also cause skin irritation on contact, separate from ingestion.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Fig is ficin and psoralen (in the milky sap).
What makes this plant different
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina), the common houseplant, causes mild irritation from its sap — distinct from edible fig fruit, which is not toxic. The sap can irritate skin on contact even without ingestion, a dual exposure route less common among mild-severity plants.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Ficus benjamina
- Family
- Moraceae
- Also known as
- Fig, Weeping Fig, Indian Rubber Plant
- Typically found
- indoor
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control