Is Elephant Ear Toxic to Pets?
Yes — elephant ear is toxic to cats. Yes — elephant ear is toxic to dogs. Yes — elephant ear 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
- Alocasia and Colocasia spp.
- Toxic compound
- Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Also known as
- alocasia, colocasia, taro
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 elephant ear
- 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 elephant ear
- 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 elephant ear
- 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
Elephant ears contain dense crystals that can cause marked swelling of the mouth and throat.
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Frequently asked questions
Is elephant ear toxic to cats?
Yes — elephant ear is toxic to cats. Common signs include intense mouth pain and drooling, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, vomiting.
Is elephant ear toxic to dogs?
Yes — elephant ear is toxic to dogs. Common signs include intense mouth pain and drooling, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, vomiting.
Is elephant ear toxic to horses?
Yes — elephant ear is toxic to horses. Common signs include intense mouth pain and drooling, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, vomiting.
Which parts of elephant ear are toxic?
All parts.
What makes elephant ear toxic?
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
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