Is caladium toxic to dogs?
Caladium bicolor
Yes. Caladium is toxic to dogs, graded medium severity by NC State Extension. The agent is insoluble calcium oxalates. Call your vet if a dog has eaten any.
- Take any remaining plant material out of their mouth and rinse the mouth with water.
- Call someone. Your own vet first. Otherwise ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 — both charge a fee.
- Take a photo of the plant, and note roughly how much was eaten and when. It is the first thing you will be asked.
- Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
What it does, and why
The agent is insoluble calcium oxalates.
Needle-shaped crystals called raphides sit under pressure in the plant tissue. Chewing fires them into the lining of the mouth and tongue, where they embed mechanically.
Pain is immediate rather than delayed, which is why most animals stop after one bite. That self-limiting bite is the reason these cases usually stay mild.
Worth watching for. The uncommon serious case is swelling that affects breathing or swallowing.
Reported signs
- intense burning of mouth and tongue
- excessive drooling
- vomiting
- difficulty swallowing
Signs as listed by the ASPCA under Caladium hortulanum. Not every animal shows all of them.
What each authority says
- ASPCA — entry for a different species in this genus: Caladium hortulanum
- Toxic to cats and dogs · insoluble calcium oxalates
- NC State Extension
- Poison severity: Medium · Calcium oxalate crystals and unidentified compounds · Burning and swelling of lips, mouth, tongue; also nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur; contact with cell sap can cause skin irritation. Ingestion by livestock or pets may cause death.
What to keep instead
Species in this database listed non-toxic to cats and dogs, chosen for a similar look or similar care rather than at random.
| Plant | Family | Water | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table fernPteris cretica | Pteridaceae | 3–7d | 3/5 |
| Ripple peperomiaPeperomia caperata | Piperaceae | 7–14d | 1/5 |
Swapping the plant is the only measure that reliably works. Height and hanging baskets buy less time than people expect with a determined cat.
The other animal
Looking for cats? See is caladium toxic to cats. Full care details are on the caladium species entry.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Caladium hortulanum Checked 2026-09-12.
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Caladium bicolor Checked 2026-09-12.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Plants of the World Online — Caladium bicolor Accepted name and family. Checked 2026-09-12.
- Wikidata entity Q10296092 — entity identity, so this record can be matched against other databases.
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Caladium bicolor Cultivation record. Checked 2026-09-12.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435 — emergency line, fee applies
Compiled and edited by Tony Valcarcel · 2026-09-11
Tony Valcarcel is the editor and publisher of this database, not a veterinarian.
Severity is reproduced from the authority that published it and is never
originated here. How this is sourced.
This page is a reference, not a diagnosis. In an emergency, call rather than read.