Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Caladium - what should I do?
Caladium hortulanum
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 typically results in immediate discomfort due to the crystalline structure of the plant tissues. Always consult with a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has chewed or swallowed any portion of the plant.
First aid at home
Rinse the mouth with cold water on a washcloth and clean any plant residue from the face; rinse the eyes if any sap touched them. A small amount of milk or yogurt may help bind the oxalate crystals. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by your vet.
What to watch for
Sudden head-shaking, pawing at the muzzle, and heavy drooling within minutes. Vomiting and gagging are common. Lips and tongue may swell visibly. Less commonly, swelling extends to the upper airway — labored breathing, change in bark, or stridor are red flags.
Time window
Signs typically appear within minutes of chewing. Drooling and oral irritation usually settle within a few hours to 24 hours; airway swelling, when it occurs, can develop unpredictably.
When to call the vet
Call your vet, or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, if drooling persists more than an hour, vomiting won't stop, swelling is visible, or your dog refuses water. Any difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency — go immediately.
What this means for your dog
Dogs tend to take a bigger bite than cats, so the burning irritation can look more dramatic — but caladium's calcium-oxalate sting is still local and rarely systemic. Most dogs back off after the first chew; the bigger job is monitoring drooling, retching, and any swelling around the throat.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.