Is Elephant Ear toxic to cats?
Elephant ear — the common name for several Araceae genera, including Alocasia, Colocasia, and Caladium — is an irritant to cats (S2 Irritant): chewing it releases insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and gut, with drooling, oral pain, and vomiting, and very rarely swelling of the upper airway that makes breathing difficult.
- TOXINinsoluble calcium oxalates
- WHAT TO EXPECToral irritation; intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips; pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips; oral pain
- CALL THE VETCall your vet if vomiting or other stomach signs persist; go immediately if your cat shows any difficulty breathing.
Symptoms
| SIGN |
|---|
| oral irritation; intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips |
| pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips |
| oral pain |
| excessive drooling |
| pawing at the mouth or face (Pet Poison Helpline, Caladium) |
| poor appetite |
| retching |
| vomiting |
| difficulty swallowing |
| swelling of the upper airway, making breathing difficult (very rare) |
If your cat just ate it
Same floor look, minus the risk
3 floor plants graded S0 — non-toxic on record.
Care at a glance
FAQ
What happens if my cat chews an elephant ear leaf?
The mouth takes the hit first. Pet Poison Helpline says "Chewing or biting into this plant will release these crystals causing tissue penetration and irritation the mouth and GI tract. VERY rarely, swelling of the upper airway occurs making it difficult to breathe." The signs it lists are drooling, oral pain, poor appetite, retching, and vomiting. Its advice: "Veterinary care is recommended for pets with persistent gastrointestinal clinical signs. Veterinary care is advised ASAP for any pet showing respiratory difficulty." Remove the plant, and call your vet if the stomach signs don't settle — immediately if breathing looks laboured.
Is taro the same as taro vine (pothos)?
No — the two names belong to different plants. "Taro" is an elephant ear: the ASPCA uses it for Colocasia esculenta and for Caladium hortulanum, and Pet Poison Helpline lists "Taro" among the other names of elephant ear and of Alocasia. "Taro Vine" is pothos, Epipremnum aureum — it is on the ASPCA's Golden Pothos entry, and Pet Poison Helpline's "Taro Vine" entry names Epipremnum aureum. Both are S2 Irritant on calcium oxalate crystals, so the first aid is the same; the plant is not. The vine has its own record: see our pothos verdict.
Is an elephant-ear begonia an elephant ear?
No. The ASPCA lists "Elephant-Ear Begonia" as a separate plant, Begonia scharfii, family Begoniaceae — not one of the Araceae genera on this page. Its entry names "Soluble calcium oxalates" as the toxic principle and lists "Kidney failure (in grazing animals), vomiting, salivation in dogs/cats. Most toxic part is underground." That is a begonia record, not this one: see our begonia verdict.
Are elephant ears toxic to dogs?
Yes, on every entry. All seven ASPCA entries — Alocasia, Caladium, and Colocasia under their various names — read "Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats," with calcium oxalate crystals as the toxic principle, and Pet Poison Helpline's elephant ear entry covers pets generally. Call your vet if vomiting or drooling persists, and go immediately if your dog has any trouble breathing.