Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Elephant-Ear Begonia - what should I do?
Begonia scharfii
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
Intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Escalation note
Ingestion of the plant tissues can lead to significant oral discomfort due to calcium oxalate crystals. Please consult your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has consumed any part of this plant.
What to watch for
Drooling. Vomiting (sometimes repeated). Reduced appetite. Mild lip-licking. Severity tends to scale with how much root or tuber material was actually chewed and swallowed.
Time window
Drooling and vomiting generally appear within a few hours of ingestion; most dogs are back to normal within 24 hours. Exact timing is not well documented in the cited source.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if vomiting won't stop, your dog refuses water, or you suspect any of the tuber was eaten.
What this means for your dog
Dogs that chew elephant-ear begonia leaves typically get a mild stomach upset; the bigger problem is a dog who digs up the pot, because the toxic soluble calcium oxalates are concentrated in the underground tubers. ASPCA's reported clinical signs in dogs are vomiting and salivation, with serious systemic effects mainly seen in grazing livestock — not pets. Still call your vet for any persistent vomiting.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.