At a glance
| Plant | Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo)) |
|---|---|
| Cats | Non-toxic |
| Dogs | Non-toxic |
| ASPCA page | Bamboo, checked November 10, 2026 |
What else to know
Lucky bamboo, the stalks sold in water or braided into spirals, is Dracaena sanderiana. NC State says plainly that it isn’t a bamboo. ASPCA lists the Dracaena genus as toxic to cats and dogs: saponins, with vomiting (sometimes with blood), depression, not eating, drooling, and dilated pupils in cats.
Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is a garden shrub with red berries. ASPCA lists cyanogenic glycosides, and signs up to seizures, coma and death, though it calls that rare in pets.
Look-alikes
- Lucky bamboo (Dracaena): toxic to cats, toxic to dogs (ASPCA). Not a bamboo. Covered by ASPCA’s Dracaena entry.
- Heavenly bamboo (Nandina): toxic to cats, toxic to dogs (ASPCA). A shrub with clusters of bright red berries and finely divided leaves.
Care basics
Light: Lucky bamboo: bright, indirect light indoors.
Soil and water: Lucky bamboo grows in moist potting mix or in chlorine-free water; change the water weekly. Golden bamboo is a full-sun garden plant that NC State lists as invasive.
Source: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Dracaena sanderiana.
If your pet ate some
If your pet seems unwell after eating it, call your vet, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. ASPCA runs the line 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and says a consultation fee may apply.
Call (888) 426-4435 · ASPCA Animal Poison Control
This page is reference information, not veterinary advice. Toxicity facts are summarized in our own words from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list; Plamp is not affiliated with the ASPCA.
