Is it toxic to dogs?
Rubber plant
Ficus elastica · Moraceae
Also called Rubber tree, Indian rubber plant, Rubber fig
Toxic to dogs
Severity: Mild
Yes. The ASPCA lists fig (Ficus) plants as toxic to dogs, and Pet Poison Helpline names the rubber tree plant among them. Its milky sap usually causes drooling, vomiting and mouth or skin irritation.
- Toxic parts
- Milky sap in the leaves and stems
- Toxic compounds
- Proteolytic enzyme (ficin) and psoralen (ficusin), per the ASPCA's Ficus listings
- Where you’ll find it
- Houseplant
Signs of poisoning
- Drooling
- Retching and vomiting
- Mouth irritation
- Skin irritation (contact dermatitis)
Why it’s harmful to dogs
The rubber plant is the tall, glossy-leaved houseplant with thick, leathery leaves and a milky white sap that oozes when a leaf or stem is broken. It belongs to the fig genus, Ficus.
The ASPCA has no entry for Ficus elastica by name. Its fig entries, including one titled "Indian Rubber Plant" that gives the weeping fig's scientific name (Ficus benjamina), list Ficus as toxic to dogs. They name the enzyme ficin and the psoralen compound ficusin and describe irritation of the digestive tract and skin. Pet Poison Helpline has its own rubber tree plant page and calls the effects minor stomach upset with mouth irritation: drooling, retching and vomiting. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists contact dermatitis from the sap.
Most incidents are a dog chewing a low leaf or a fallen one. Not everything sold as a "rubber plant" is a Ficus: the baby rubber plant is a Peperomia that the ASPCA lists as non-toxic. See peperomia.
If your dog ate rubber plant
Remove any leaf from your dog's mouth and keep your dog away from the plant, since the sap can irritate skin too. Watch for drooling, retching and vomiting.
Call your vet, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (US; fees may apply), if your dog ate a lot, keeps vomiting, or develops swelling, a rash or ongoing mouth discomfort. Outside the US, call your local emergency vet. Don't try to make your dog vomit at home. Name the plant and give a photo if you can.
Keeping your dog safe
Put rubber plants on a tall stand or in a room that stays closed to your dog, and wipe up any sap drips. Prune with care, and bag trimmings so your dog can't investigate them.
If you want a bold-leaf look without the worry, try a money tree or an areca palm. A solid "leave it" helps with any houseplant.
Dog-safe alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is the rubber plant sap harmful to skin?
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists contact dermatitis from the sap in pets and people. Call your vet if skin irritation persists.
Is a baby rubber plant also toxic?
No. The ASPCA lists baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) as non-toxic to dogs. It is not a Ficus.
Is rubber plant the same as weeping fig?
No, but they are close relatives in the genus Ficus. The ASPCA's fig entries cover the weeping fig, and Pet Poison Helpline says Ficus species, including the rubber tree plant, carry the same kind of irritating sap.
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