Caladium

Yes, caladiums are toxic to cats. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate mechanical irritation to the mouth, tongue, and lips, along with intense burning, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Symptoms typically start within minutes of biting the plant. Your cat may frantically paw at its mouth, drool heavily, and show redness or swelling of the lips, tongue, and gums. Vomiting and refusal to eat are common. In rare cases, swelling can extend to the upper airway, causing voice changes or labored breathing — which is a true emergency.

Wipe any plant fragments from your cat's mouth with a damp cloth and offer cold water; a small amount of milk or plain yogurt may help ease the burning by binding the oxalate crystals. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet specifically directs you to. Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away, especially if drooling lasts more than an hour, swelling is visible, or your cat won't eat or drink.

The toxic agent — insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — is present throughout the entire plant, including the leaves, stems, and roots. There is no safe part to expose your cat to; even a single bite of a leaf is enough to trigger immediate oral irritation.

Yes, caladiums are toxic to dogs. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Symptoms typically appear within minutes of chewing: sudden head-shaking, pawing at the muzzle, and heavy drooling are usually the first signs. Vomiting and gagging are common, and the lips and tongue may swell visibly. Less commonly, swelling can extend to the upper airway, causing labored breathing or stridor, which is an emergency.

Rinse your dog's mouth with cold water on a washcloth and remove any plant residue from the face; rinse the eyes if sap contacted them. A small amount of milk or yogurt may help bind the oxalate crystals. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet. Call your vet or ASPCA Animal 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.

Drooling and oral irritation typically begin within minutes of chewing and usually settle within a few hours to 24 hours. Airway swelling, when it occurs, can develop unpredictably — labored breathing, a change in bark, or stridor require immediate emergency veterinary care rather than a wait-and-see approach.