Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Australian Ivy Palm - what should I do?
Brassaia actinophylla
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, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing due to tissue irritation.
Escalation note
Ingestion typically results in localized irritation rather than systemic poisoning. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has consumed any part of the plant.
First aid at home
Remove any plant material still in the mouth and gently flush your dog's mouth with cool water before calling. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison-control specialist tells you to.
What to watch for
Pawing at the mouth and head-shaking come first, often within minutes of chewing, followed by heavy drooling. Watch for swelling around the lips, tongue, or throat, repeated vomiting, and reluctance to eat. Severe airway swelling is rare but is the reason this isn't a watch-and-wait plant.
Time window
Oral irritation typically begins within minutes of contact; with supportive care most dogs are back to normal within 12–24 hours. Fatalities are extremely rare.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 any time you see persistent drooling, mouth or tongue swelling, refusal to eat, or repeated vomiting. Go in immediately if your dog is struggling to breathe or swallow.
What this means for your dog
Dogs that chew Australian Ivy Palm — sold under names like schefflera or umbrella tree — get a mouthful of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals plus terpenoids and saponins. The reaction is sharp local pain rather than systemic poisoning, so most dogs ride it out with oral irritation and a bout of vomiting and recover with supportive care.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.