Metallic Leaf Begonia

Yes, Metallic Leaf Begonia (Begonia metallica) is toxic to cats. It contains soluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate irritation to the mouth and digestive tract upon contact.

Symptoms include oral irritation, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. You may also see your cat pawing at its mouth, repeatedly swallowing, or refusing food due to the burning sensation. Signs typically begin within minutes of chewing.

A brief nibble with no follow-up symptoms can usually be monitored at home. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if your cat drools persistently, vomits more than once, refuses water, or chewed on the tuber or roots rather than just a leaf. Uncomplicated cases generally resolve within 24–48 hours with supportive care.

The tuber and roots are more concerning than the leaves — ingestion of tuber tissue can cause more pronounced GI upset compared to a leaf bite, which typically produces mild-to-moderate symptoms. The calcium oxalate crystals are present throughout the plant, so any part that is chewed can cause immediate oral burning and irritation.

Yes, Metallic Leaf Begonia (Begonia metallica) is toxic to dogs. It contains soluble calcium oxalates that cause intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, along with excessive drooling and vomiting.

Oral burning and drooling typically begin within minutes of chewing. You may also see your dog lip-smacking, pawing at its muzzle, vomiting, or refusing food due to the immediate burning sensation. Biting into the underground tubers causes more pronounced GI upset than nibbling a leaf.

A mild leaf nibble with no follow-up symptoms can generally be monitored at home, but call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if your dog has visible mouth swelling, is drooling heavily, vomits more than once, or got into the roots or tubers rather than just a leaf.

Yes — the tubers and roots cause more pronounced gastrointestinal upset than leaf nibbling does, so exposure to the underground parts of the plant warrants a call to your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 even if symptoms seem mild at first.