Cats & Dogs
Potentially toxicConsulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Sources
Pet safety reference
Taro
Colocasia esculenta
Large-leaved edible aroid also sold as an ornamental elephant ear; raw plant is toxic to cats and dogs and to humans.
ColocasiaColocasia esculentaDasheenElephant earTaro
- Light
- bright indirect
- Habit
- upright clump
- Care
- moderate
Safety status
If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing after chewing raw plant material.
Escalation note
Cooked tubers are edible to humans; raw houseplant material remains a cat/dog concern.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing after chewing raw plant material.
Escalation note
Escalate for persistent symptoms.
Safer alternatives
Source evidence
ASPCA: Elephant Ears
toxicology · 97% reliability
ASPCA lists elephant ear including Colocasia esculenta as toxic to dogs and cats due to insoluble calcium oxalates.
NC State Extension: Colocasia esculenta
botanical · 94% reliability
NC State Extension confirms Colocasia esculenta identity and notes raw plant irritation.
Same safety verdict
Other plants with the same verdict
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Common upright houseplant still sold under the former Sansevieria name, with low-to-moderate irritation risk if chewed.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Broadleaf flowering houseplant with a common lily name that still needs explicit cat and dog irritation warnings on lookup pages.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Amazonian Elephant Ear
Alocasia amazonica
Arrow-shaped elephant-ear houseplant hybrid; classified as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Cylindrical Snake Plant
Dracaena angolensis
Upright cylindrical-leaved relative of the classic snake plant, still sold under Sansevieria cylindrica and carrying a similar irritation profile.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Same growing conditions
Plants for the same room
Areca Palm
Dypsis lutescens
True palm commonly sold as a tall, feathery houseplant and widely referenced as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Upright large-leaved tree sold as rubber plant; sap is irritating and the plant is listed as toxic to cats and dogs.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.