What should I do if my dog ate Philodendron?

Remove any plant material still in your dog's mouth and gently flush the mouth with clean, cool water to wash out remaining crystals. Do NOT induce vomiting — bringing the leaf material back up causes more burning to the esophagus, mouth, and stomach. Then call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline for next steps. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) any time you see persistent drooling, repeated vomiting, refusal to eat or drink, or visible swelling of the mouth or throat. Go straight to an emergency clinic for any change in breathing, loud swallowing, or collapse — those suggest airway involvement.

Philodendron — (c) Alexandre Magno, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexandre Magno — Photo by (c) Alexandre Magno, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexandre MagnoiNaturalistCC BY

dog safety reference

Is Philodendron safe for dogs?

Q: Is Philodendron safe for dogs?

Philodendron is potentially toxic to dogs. Ingestion usually results in immediate discomfort due to the mechanical irritation of calcium oxalate crystals. Please consult your veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.

Philodendron spp.

Philodendrons are popular tropical foliage plants known for their lush, heart-shaped or split leaves. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested.

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Philodendron PertusumPhilodendron spp.Split-leaf PhilodendronSweetheart Plant

Light: Bright indirect light
Habit: Vining or climbing
Care: Low to moderate

Safety status

Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

What this means for your dog

Dogs that bite or chew philodendron leaves get an immediate mouthful of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — microscopic needles that puncture the soft tissues of the lips, tongue, and throat. Most dogs spit the leaf out fast because the burn is sharp, so reactions are usually painful and dramatic but not life-threatening. The bigger risk is significant swallowing: GI irritation, repeated vomiting, and (rarely) airway swelling can land an unlucky dog at the emergency vet.

What to watch for

Pawing at the mouth, head shaking, and lip smacking start almost immediately. Expect heavy drooling, intense oral pain, and often vomiting within minutes. Watch for difficulty or refusal to swallow, pawing at the face, and any swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat — airway swelling is uncommon but is the symptom that turns this from painful to urgent.

Time window

Oral pain and drooling usually appear right away; some signs can take up to about two hours to show. With supportive care, mild cases typically resolve within 12–24 hours; vomiting and reduced appetite may linger a day or two.

When to call the vet

Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) any time you see persistent drooling, repeated vomiting, refusal to eat or drink, or visible swelling of the mouth or throat. Go straight to an emergency clinic for any change in breathing, loud swallowing, or collapse — those suggest airway involvement.

First aid at home

Remove any plant material still in your dog's mouth and gently flush the mouth with clean, cool water to wash out remaining crystals. Do NOT induce vomiting — bringing the leaf material back up causes more burning to the esophagus, mouth, and stomach. Then call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline for next steps.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.

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.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Escalation note

Ingestion usually results in immediate discomfort due to the mechanical irritation of calcium oxalate crystals. Please consult your veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Philodendron species are listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Philodendron is a large genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family, often used as houseplants.

Cats & dogs page cats page My dog ate Philodendron

Same dog verdict

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