Is Caladium Toxic to Pets?
Yes — caladium is toxic to cats. Yes — caladium is toxic to dogs. Yes — caladium is toxic to horses.
PawSafe Check is for general information only and is not veterinary advice. Always contact your veterinarian or a poison control service if you think your pet has been exposed.
- Scientific name
- Caladium hortulanum
- Toxic compound
- Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Also known as
- angel wings, elephant ears caladium
Symptoms
Cats (toxic)
- Intense mouth pain and drooling
- Swelling of the lips, tongue and throat
- Vomiting
- Trouble swallowing
- Rarely, throat swelling that makes breathing hard
Dogs (toxic)
- Intense mouth pain and drooling
- Swelling of the lips, tongue and throat
- Vomiting
- Trouble swallowing
- Rarely, throat swelling that makes breathing hard
Horses (toxic)
- Intense mouth pain and drooling
- Swelling of the lips, tongue and throat
- Vomiting
- Trouble swallowing
- Rarely, throat swelling that makes breathing hard
What to do
If your cat ate caladium
- Call your vet or a pet poison control line immediately — don't wait for symptoms.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.
- Bring the plant, label or packaging with you so the vet knows exactly what your cat ate.
- Note roughly how much was eaten and when.
If your dog ate caladium
- Call your vet or a pet poison control line immediately — don't wait for symptoms.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.
- Bring the plant, label or packaging with you so the vet knows exactly what your dog ate.
- Note roughly how much was eaten and when.
If your horse ate caladium
- Call your vet or a pet poison control line immediately — don't wait for symptoms.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.
- Bring the plant, label or packaging with you so the vet knows exactly what your horse ate.
- Note roughly how much was eaten and when.
Good to know
Colorful caladiums can cause severe mouth swelling and, rarely, breathing difficulty from throat swelling.
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Frequently asked questions
Is caladium toxic to cats?
Yes — caladium is toxic to cats. Common signs include intense mouth pain and drooling, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, vomiting.
Is caladium toxic to dogs?
Yes — caladium is toxic to dogs. Common signs include intense mouth pain and drooling, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, vomiting.
Is caladium toxic to horses?
Yes — caladium is toxic to horses. Common signs include intense mouth pain and drooling, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, vomiting.
Which parts of caladium are toxic?
All parts.
What makes caladium toxic?
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
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