Reference
Is Sago Palm Toxic to Dogs and Cats?
The short answer
Yes. The ASPCA lists sago palm (Cycas revoluta and related Zamia species) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, with the toxic principle cycasin. All parts of the plant are poisonous and the seeds are generally regarded as the most dangerous.
Reported clinical signs include vomiting, dark bloody stool (melena), jaundice (icterus), increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, and death. Because liver injury can be severe and fast, treat any ingestion as an emergency and call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888-426-4435) without waiting for symptoms.
What makes sago palm so dangerous
Sago palm is not a true palm but a cycad, commonly grown as a landscape plant in warm regions and as a houseplant or bonsai elsewhere. The ASPCA identifies its toxic principle as cycasin and lists it as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The concern is not just stomach upset - the plant attacks the liver.
Every part of the plant is toxic, and the seeds (the round, orange-red 'nuts' produced by female plants) are widely considered the most poisonous portion. Because the whole plant is hazardous, there is no safe part for a pet to chew.
Signs of sago palm poisoning
The ASPCA lists clinical signs including vomiting, melena (dark, bloody stool), icterus (jaundice), increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy (impaired blood clotting), liver damage, liver failure, and death. Early signs like vomiting can appear within hours, while liver failure may develop over the following days.
Because bleeding disorders and liver failure can progress rapidly, do not adopt a wait-and-see approach. Even if your pet seems fine shortly after chewing the plant, the most serious damage can appear later.
What to do
If you see or suspect your dog or cat has eaten any part of a sago palm - leaves, stem, roots, or especially seeds - contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888-426-4435) immediately. Bring the plant or a photo, and note roughly how much was eaten.
For pet households, the safest option is to avoid keeping sago palm indoors or in reach in the yard. To confirm the toxicity of any plant before you buy, see our page on how to check whether a plant is pet-safe.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- ASPCA - Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) — Lists sago palm (Cycas revoluta and Zamia spp.) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses with toxic principle cycasin, and clinical signs including vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, and death.