Is it toxic to dogs?
Peperomia
Peperomia spp. · Piperaceae
Also called Baby rubber plant, Pepper face, Emerald ripple peperomia
Non-Toxic to dogs
No. ASPCA lists common peperomias, including emerald ripple and blunt-leaf (baby rubber plant), as non-toxic to dogs. Look-alikes such as jade plant and pothos are toxic.
Why it’s considered safe for dogs
Peperomia is a large genus of compact houseplants with thick, glossy or deeply ridged leaves. ASPCA has separate non-toxic entries for several types: emerald ripple peperomia (Peperomia caperata) and blunt-leaf peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia, also called baby rubber plant or pepper face) are both listed as non-toxic to dogs, with no clinical signs.
The trouble is the names. "Baby rubber plant" and "dwarf rubber plant" sound interchangeable, but ASPCA lists "dwarf rubber plant" as an alternate name for jade plant, which is toxic to dogs (vomiting, depression, incoordination). Trailing peperomias can also be mistaken for pothos vines, and ASPCA lists pothos as toxic because of insoluble calcium oxalates, causing mouth burning, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.
So check the tag. If it says Peperomia, it is a good fit for a dog household, though chewing any plant can bring on a mild upset stomach. If it only says "rubber plant" or "money plant", look it up.
If your dog ate peperomia
A nibbled peperomia leaf is rarely a problem. ASPCA lists the types it has reviewed as non-toxic, though your dog may have a mild upset stomach with vomiting or loose stool.
Call your vet if the signs persist or your dog ate a lot. Call right away if your dog is drooling heavily, pawing at the mouth or struggling to swallow, since that can point to a look-alike such as pothos, or if the plant might be a jade plant. In the US, ASPCA Animal Poison Control is at (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply); elsewhere, call your local emergency vet.
Do not make your dog vomit at home.
Keeping your dog safe
Peperomias stay small, which makes them easy to place on shelves, desks and high plant stands. Keep trailing types such as ivy peperomia in hanging pots so the stems do not dangle within reach.
Store plant food, fertilizer and sprays in a closed cabinet. Pet Poison Helpline warns that fertilizers can contain iron, other minerals and added pesticides, and that larger ingestions can cause serious poisoning.
Keep the tag, and write the Latin name on the pot if it has been repotted. Other houseplants ASPCA lists as non-toxic include prayer plant and Boston fern.
Frequently asked questions
Is peperomia toxic to dogs?
No. ASPCA lists emerald ripple and blunt-leaf peperomia as non-toxic to dogs. Eating plant material can still cause mild stomach upset.
Is baby rubber plant the same as rubber plant?
No. Baby rubber plant is a name for Peperomia obtusifolia, which ASPCA lists as non-toxic. Rubber plant is a different plant, so check its Latin name before assuming it is safe.
Is jade plant the same as peperomia?
No. Jade plant is a succulent that ASPCA lists as toxic to dogs, and it shares nicknames such as dwarf rubber plant with peperomias. Check the Latin name.
Are all peperomia varieties safe?
ASPCA has separate entries for several peperomia types, and the two cited here (emerald ripple and blunt-leaf) are both non-toxic. If your variety is unusual, look it up in the database or ask your vet.
Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy