Is Artillery Plant Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Pilea microphylla
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | No |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | No |
| Toxic to horses | No |
| Toxic component | N/A — non-toxic |
| Onset of symptoms | N/A |
| Indoor / outdoor | both |
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What to do
No treatment is needed. The "puffing" reaction to touch sometimes spooks a curious cat more than it affects them physically.
Toxic component and mechanism
Artillery Plant is not known to contain toxic compounds harmful to dogs, cats, or horses.
What makes this plant different
Artillery Plant is confirmed non-toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA. It gets its name from how it reproduces: ripe seed pods forcibly eject tiny puffs of pollen when brushed against, which can look startling up close but is completely harmless — just the plant's way of dispersing seed.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Pilea microphylla
- Family
- Urticaceae
- Also known as
- Artillery Plant
- Typically found
- both
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control