Is Dieffenbachia toxic to cats?
Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.) is toxic to cats (S3 Toxic): insoluble calcium oxalates cause mouth and throat irritation, and Pet Poison Helpline says death has rarely been reported with ingestion of Dieffenbachia plants.
- TOXINinsoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme
- WHAT TO EXPECToral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips; excessive drooling; vomiting
- CALL THE VETContact your vet promptly after any ingestion. Pet Poison Helpline describes severe throat swelling with breathing difficulty as occurring in rare instances, and its Spotted Dumbcane entry says upper-airway swelling occurs "VERY rarely". Contact a vet immediately for breathing difficulty or severe throat swelling.
Symptoms
| SIGN |
|---|
| oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips |
| excessive drooling |
| vomiting |
| difficulty swallowing |
| gagging |
| oral pain |
| pawing at the mouth |
| decreased appetite |
| severe throat swelling resulting in breathing difficulty (in rare instances; PPH Dieffenbachia) |
| severe oral and throat irritation with severe swelling of the face, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing (rarely; PPH Gold Dieffenbachia) |
| swelling of the upper airway making it difficult to breathe (VERY rarely; PPH Spotted Dumbcane) |
| death reported with ingestion of Dieffenbachia plants (rarely; PPH Gold Dieffenbachia) |
If your cat just ate it
Same tabletop look, minus the risk
3 tabletop plants graded S0 — non-toxic on record.
Care at a glance
FAQ
Is Dieffenbachia toxic to cats?
Yes. Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.) is S3 Toxic for cats. Chewing the plant releases crystals that irritate the mouth and throat. Pet Poison Helpline's Gold Dieffenbachia entry states, "Rarely, death has been reported with ingestion of Dieffenbachia plants." That rare outcome is why this verdict goes beyond irritation. Remove the plant and contact your vet promptly after ingestion; contact a vet immediately for breathing difficulty or severe throat swelling.
What should I do if my cat chews Dieffenbachia?
Contact your vet promptly after ingestion. Pet Poison Helpline records drooling, gagging, and vomiting. Its Spotted Dumbcane entry says, "VERY rarely, swelling of the upper airway occurs making it difficult to breathe." Its Dieffenbachia entry also describes severe throat swelling with breathing difficulty in rare instances. Remove the plant and any chewed pieces. Contact a vet immediately for breathing difficulty or severe throat swelling.
Does this Dieffenbachia verdict cover a species or the genus?
The genus. The ASPCA's Dieffenbachia entry and Pet Poison Helpline's Dieffenbachia and Gold Dieffenbachia entries all give genus-level scientific names, so this verdict covers Dieffenbachia as a genus. Some other entries name a single species (Dieffenbachia amoena, Dieffenbachia picta, or Dieffenbachia seguine); each of them also describes oral irritation, and none of them changes the verdict. Check the scientific name on the tag before applying this verdict.