Caladium and elephant ear plants in Pets

Caladium and elephant ear leaves and tubers contain oxalate crystals that make a pet's mouth sore. Learn which parts are worst, how to soothe the mouth and when to call a vet.

What It Is

Caladiums ('angel wings') and elephant ear plants (Colocasia and Alocasia) are grown for their big, often colourful heart-shaped leaves. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes caladium as containing water-insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and possible proteinaceous toxins in the leaves, stems and tubers.

Where Pets Come Across It

Summer bedding, shady borders and large patio pots, and tubers stored over winter in garages and sheds. Cats chew the thin leaves; dogs dig up and chew tubers, which contain the most crystals.

Which Animals Are Affected

Cats and dogs, plus other plant-chewing pets.

Published Toxic Dose

There is no toxic dose: injury comes from crystals contacting the mouth, and body-wide poisoning from insoluble oxalates is not reported. The calculator does not score a dose for it.

Signs and How Soon They Appear

Pet Poison Helpline lists drooling, pawing at the mouth or face, oral pain, decreased appetite and vomiting. Swelling of the lips and tongue is possible; throat swelling is rare.

What to Do Right Now

Rinse the mouth and wipe away plant material. A little milk, yoghurt or tasty food can ease the burning. Call your vet if signs persist or if breathing is affected. Do not induce vomiting.

Storing tubers and caring for garden plants safely

In cooler climates caladium and elephant ear tubers are dug up in autumn and stored dry in garages or sheds until spring, often in open boxes at dog height. Dogs that chew a stored tuber get a far bigger dose of crystals than a cat nibbling a leaf, so keep stored tubers in closed containers on a high shelf. In the garden, the large leaves attract attention when they wilt or fall, so clear fallen leaves promptly. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is eaten by people, but only after thorough cooking, which breaks down the crystals; raw taro leaves or corms are just as irritating to pets as ornamental elephant ears. Never feed pets raw taro or leftovers containing it.

Calla lilies, anthuriums and other aroids

Caladium and elephant ear belong to the arum family (Araceae), along with calla lily, anthurium, Chinese evergreen, monstera, philodendron, pothos and peace lily. They all carry insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and cause the same pattern of sudden mouth pain without kidney damage. If your pet chews any of them, the first-aid steps are the same: rinse, soothe and watch breathing. Calla lily (Zantedeschia) is often included in wedding and Easter bouquets alongside true lilies, so if a cat has chewed a mixed arrangement, check whether true lilies were also present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and References

• Pet Poison Helpline: Caladium
• ASPCA: Caladium
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Houseplants and Ornamentals Toxic to Animals

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