Is American Rubber Plant Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)

No treatment is needed for this species. If you're not sure which "rubber plant" you actually have, check the botanical name on the plant tag — Peperomia obtusifolia is this safe one; Ficus elastica is not.

American Rubber Plant is not known to contain toxic compounds harmful to dogs, cats, or horses.

American Rubber Plant is confirmed non-toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA. Its thick, waxy leaves store water like a succulent, which is part of why it tolerates inconsistent watering so well. It's worth not confusing it with the true Rubber Plant or Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) — a completely different, unrelated species that is toxic to pets despite the similar common name.

Scientific name

Peperomia obtusifolia

Family

Pipericeae

Also known as

American Rubber Plant, Pepper Face, Baby Rubber Plant

Typically found

both