Is Dieffenbachia Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Q: Is dieffenbachia toxic to cats?

Toxic to cats. Dieffenbachia (dumbcane) is toxic to dogs and cats. Its calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.

Q: Is dieffenbachia toxic to dogs?

Toxic to dogs. Dieffenbachia (dumbcane) is toxic to dogs and cats. Its calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.

Dieffenbachia

Cats

🟠 Toxic

Dogs

🟠 Toxic

Short answer: Dieffenbachia (dumbcane) is toxic to dogs and cats. Its calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.

Think your pet ate dieffenbachia? call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Signs to watch for

Mouth irritation and pain
Drooling
Retching or vomiting
Diarrhea
Rarely, swelling of the tongue and throat that makes breathing or swallowing hard

Why it’s a problem

Toxic principle: Insoluble calcium oxalates.

The ASPCA lists dumbcane among the calcium oxalate houseplants. Exposures are not considered life-threatening, but severe stomach upset or breathing trouble needs a vet.

Frequently asked questions

Can dumbcane cause breathing problems?

Rarely. The ASPCA says calcium oxalate plants can, in rare cases, cause swelling of the tongue and throat that makes breathing and swallowing hard. That needs a vet right away.

Other plants

Sources

ASPCA: Is That Houseplant Safe for Your Pets?

Last checked: 2026-11-11. General information, not veterinary advice.