Elephant Ear

Yes, elephant ear (Alocasia spp.) is toxic to cats. All parts of the plant contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate mechanical irritation to soft tissues in the mouth, tongue, and throat the moment a cat chews on them.

Symptoms typically begin within minutes of chewing and include intense oral burning, excessive drooling, foamy saliva, pawing at the muzzle, vocalizing, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Watch for swelling of the lips, tongue, or upper airway — that is an emergency. Most cats recover within 12–24 hours, though vomiting or reduced appetite can persist up to 48 hours after a larger bite.

Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth, then offer a small amount of xylitol-free milk, plain yogurt, or vanilla ice cream to help soothe oral irritation (per ASPCA guidance for insoluble-oxalate plants). Do not induce vomiting on your own. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian right away.

The burning sensation is caused by insoluble calcium oxalate crystals embedded throughout the plant's tissues. When a cat bites into the plant, these microscopic needle-like crystals are physically driven into the soft tissues of the mouth and throat, causing instant irritation — which is why drooling and head-shaking often begin within seconds of a bite.

Yes, elephant ear is toxic to dogs. All parts of the plant contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing upon contact with soft tissues.

Within minutes of chewing, your dog will likely show sudden drooling, lip-smacking, head-shaking, and pawing at the muzzle as the calcium oxalate crystals pierce the soft tissues of the mouth. Vomiting and reduced appetite can follow, and in serious cases the tongue, lips, or upper airway may swell. Most dogs recover within 24 hours, though vomiting or appetite loss can linger 24–48 hours after a larger ingestion.

Remove any plant fragments from your dog's mouth, then offer a small amount of xylitol-free milk, plain yogurt, or vanilla ice cream to help soothe the oral burning (ASPCA guidance for insoluble-oxalate plants). Do not induce vomiting on your own. Call ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian right away, and go to an emergency clinic immediately if you see facial swelling, repeated vomiting that won't stop, or labored breathing.

Elephant ear plants (Alocasia spp.) contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — microscopic needle-like structures stored in the plant's cells. When a dog bites or chews the plant, the crystals are released and physically penetrate the soft tissues of the mouth, tongue, and throat, causing instant, intense burning and irritation. Because the crystals are insoluble, they cannot be neutralized by the stomach, which is why dairy can help coat and soothe the affected tissues.