Black Calla

Yes, Black Calla (Arum palestinum) is toxic to cats. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that mechanically pierce the soft tissues of the mouth and digestive tract on contact, causing immediate irritation. Keep this plant out of reach of cats entirely.

Expect oral irritation almost immediately — heavy drooling, pawing at the mouth, lip-smacking, head-shaking, and vomiting are the most common signs. Less common but more serious symptoms include visible swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, refusal to eat or drink, and any change in breathing or voice.

Do not induce vomiting at home and do not give hydrogen peroxide without speaking to a specialist first. Wipe loose plant material from your cat's mouth if you can do so safely, then call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your vet right away. Bring a piece of the plant to the clinic for identification.

Oral burning typically begins within minutes of chewing because the injury is mechanical — the calcium oxalate crystals physically pierce tissue rather than being absorbed into the bloodstream. Mild cases generally settle within 12–24 hours with supportive care, though oral swelling can take 1–2 days to fully resolve.

Yes, Black Calla (Arum palestinum) is toxic to dogs. It contains 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 mucous membranes.

Oral burning and intense irritation begin within minutes of a bite because the damage is caused by physical crystal injury rather than an absorbed toxin. You may see your dog foaming at the mouth, pawing or rubbing its muzzle on the floor, vocalizing in pain, or vomiting. Swelling of the lips or tongue and difficulty swallowing can also occur, and in rare cases upper-airway swelling can affect breathing.

Do not induce vomiting at home and do not give hydrogen peroxide without first speaking to a poison control specialist or veterinarian. If you can do so safely, wipe any loose plant material from the mouth, then call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Bring a piece of the plant for identification.

Most dogs recover within 24 hours with supportive care. The burning starts within minutes of ingestion, but visible oral swelling can take 1–2 days to fully settle. Call your vet immediately if drooling is persistent, your dog is retching, the mouth or tongue looks swollen, or there is any change in breathing.