Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Lords-and-Ladies - what should I do?
Arum maculatum
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Escalation note
Ingestion leads to immediate tissue irritation due to calcium oxalate crystals. Please consult your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has chewed or ingested this plant.
What to watch for
Sudden pawing at the mouth, intense drooling, vomiting, head shaking, and reluctance to eat. Some dogs vocalize from the pain. Lips and tongue may look red or slightly swollen; airway swelling is uncommon but a serious sign if it occurs.
Time window
Pain begins almost immediately after chewing; mouth irritation typically settles within a few hours and resolves within a day with supportive care.
When to call the vet
Call your vet if drooling, swelling, or vomiting continues, your dog can't or won't swallow, or you see any change in breathing or pattern of stridor. Facial swelling or noisy breathing is an emergency.
What this means for your dog
Dogs that chew on lords-and-ladies usually regret it within seconds. The ASPCA lists Arum maculatum as toxic to dogs because of insoluble calcium-oxalate crystals that pierce the soft tissue of the mouth on contact. Reactions are dramatic but typically local rather than systemic.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.