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Fig plants (Ficus)

DANGEROUS

Fig plants, including the weeping fig, rubber plant and fiddle leaf fig, are toxic to dogs. The milky sap irritates the mouth, skin and gut.

What to do

Take the plant away, rinse the mouth or skin with water, and contact your vet for advice — especially if your dog is drooling heavily, is in pain, is vomiting repeatedly, or has sap in an eye.

When to contact a vet: Yes if there is heavy drooling, repeated vomiting, mouth swelling, eye contact with sap, or your dog is clearly in pain.

Symptoms to look for

  • Drooling
  • Pawing at the mouth or mouth pain
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Skin redness where sap has touched
  • Eye irritation or squinting

Why

Ficus species are common UK houseplants and are listed as toxic to dogs. The milky white sap contains irritant compounds, including ficin and furocoumarins, which cause immediate irritation and pain in the mouth, drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea when leaves or stems are chewed. Skin contact with the sap can cause redness and irritation, and sap in the eye is painful. Signs usually appear quickly after chewing. Serious poisoning is uncommon, but dogs that chew a lot of plant material can become quite unwell, and the discomfort is significant. This is a separate risk from eating the edible fig fruit, which is not classed as toxic.

Parts to avoid
All parts of the plant, particularly the sap in the leaves and stems.
Preparation
Move fig houseplants out of reach and clear up fallen leaves. If sap has touched the skin or coat, wash it off with mild soap and water. Rinse the mouth with water if your dog will allow it.
How much matters
Even chewing one or two leaves can cause mouth pain and drooling. Larger amounts increase the chance of vomiting and diarrhoea.
Severity
Usually irritant rather than life-threatening, but painful and distressing.

Identifying this plant

Scientific name
Ficus spp.
Plant family
Moraceae
UK common names
weeping fig, rubber plant, fiddle leaf fig
Poisonous parts
Leaves, Stems, Milky sap
Toxic principle
Ficin and furocoumarins (psoralens) in the sap
When it's a risk
Indoors all year round; fig trees outdoors are in leaf from spring to autumn.
Easily confused with
Edible fig fruit, which is not classed as toxic

Plants that look alike can differ greatly in how poisonous they are. A photograph is never proof of identity — if your dog may have eaten a plant you can't name with certainty, ask your vet or a qualified professional to identify it.

Sources

Information reviewed against recognised veterinary and animal-safety sources. Source organisations are independent of Is It For Dogs unless otherwise stated.

Last reviewed 6 September 2026 · next review due September 2027.

Safety classifications are based on available expert and veterinary information. Individual dogs may react differently, particularly dogs with allergies, existing health conditions or specific dietary requirements.

Important: Is It For Dogs provides general information about the safety of foods, plants, drinks, ingredients and other items around dogs. Our information is based on sources we consider reliable and is intended to help dog owners make informed decisions. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified veterinary professional. Read more

Dogs can react differently depending on their size, age, health, allergies, medications, the amount consumed and other circumstances. An item classified as Safe is not necessarily suitable for every individual dog.

If your dog has eaten something potentially poisonous or dangerous, has eaten an unknown substance, or is showing concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary service immediately.

Do not induce vomiting or give your dog medication unless specifically instructed to do so by a veterinary professional.

Safety & Disclaimer

Also known as ficus, ficus benjamina, weeping fig, fig plant, fig tree · Ficus spp.

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