Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Metallic Leaf Begonia - what should I do?
Begonia metallica
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, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting.
Escalation note
The plant contains soluble calcium oxalate crystals which cause immediate tissue irritation upon contact. If your cat has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian for guidance.
What to watch for
Most common: vomiting and salivation. Cats may also paw at the mouth, swallow repeatedly, or refuse food because of the burning sensation. Severity is usually mild-to-moderate from a leaf bite; ingestion of tuber tissue can cause more pronounced GI upset.
Time window
Oral burning and salivation typically begin within minutes of chewing. ASPCA does not specify a recovery window; uncomplicated cases generally resolve over 24–48 hours with supportive care.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) if your cat is drooling persistently, vomits more than once, refuses water, or chewed on the tuber/roots rather than just a leaf. A brief nibble with no follow-up signs can usually be monitored at home.
What this means for your cat
Cats should not chew on metallic leaf begonia. ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats because of soluble calcium oxalates throughout the plant — the highest concentration sits underground in the tubers, so a curious cat that digs into a pot can get a worse exposure than one that nibbles a leaf.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.