Philodendron

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

Expect pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, heavy drooling or foaming, and vomiting starting within minutes of chewing. The lips and tongue may visibly swell; rarely, swelling extends to the upper airway and causes breathing difficulty. Symptoms typically resolve within 24 hours.

Remove any plant fragments from your cat's mouth and rinse gently with cool water. A small amount of milk or yogurt can help bind the oxalate crystals and ease the burning. Then call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet instructs you to.

All parts of the philodendron contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, so any contact with the leaves, stems, or sap can trigger irritation. The crystals are released when the plant tissue is chewed, which is why symptoms are concentrated in the mouth and throat rather than causing systemic toxicity.

Yes, philodendrons 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 appear almost immediately: pawing at the mouth, head shaking, lip smacking, heavy drooling, and intense oral pain, often followed by vomiting within minutes. Watch closely for difficulty swallowing, refusal to eat or drink, or any swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat — airway swelling is uncommon but turns this from painful to urgent.

Remove any plant material still in your dog's mouth and gently flush the mouth with cool water to wash out remaining crystals. Do NOT induce vomiting — bringing leaf material back up causes more burning to the esophagus and mouth. Then call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for next steps.

Oral pain and drooling usually appear right away and some signs can take up to two hours to develop. With supportive care, mild cases typically resolve within 12–24 hours, though vomiting and reduced appetite may linger a day or two. Call your vet if your dog shows persistent drooling, repeated vomiting, or visible swelling of the mouth or throat.