If have a cat and planning to buy an Elephant ear plant, then the question is Alocasia toxic to cat, is not out of place.
Alocasia known as Elephant’s Ear Plant is a member of the Araceae family. With a genus of over 70 species of herbaceous perennial plants, native to tropical regions throughout Africa, Asia and Oceania.
Many of them are cultivated as ornamental plants, mainly for their large, broad, silky-beautiful leaves. All have upright stems growing from a corm and forming a rosette of large, sword-shaped leaves up to a meter tall.
Is Alocasia Toxic to Cats?
Yes! Alocasia is toxic to cat. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals which cause a variety of health problems for pets including cats and dogs. Eating of Alocasia may result in gastrointestinal irritation, Itching of the skin, and other side effects.
According to ASPCA, Alocasia belongs to the Araceae family, which are known to produce oxalate crystals that causes irritation. Examples of plants in this family include: Dieffenbachia, Calla lily, Arrowhead, Dumbcane, Peace Lily, Philodendron, Pothos, Umbrella Plant, Elephant’s Ear, Chinese Evergreen, and Schefflera.
If you suspect your cat has ingested Alocasia, take care of it and treat quickly. As a precautionary measure, keep alocasias out of reach, away from areas where your cat sleeps or play.
Symptoms of Alocasia Poisoning in Cats
Illness like acute kidney failure in pets can be linked to Alocasia. It contains calcium oxalate crystals which can result in such aliment.
Cat owners must take precautionary measures when growing alocasia, as they are poisonous and can cause death if ingested by a cat. Alocasia contains chemicals that dissolve into saliva and then onto skin or paws.
Symptoms of Elephant Ear (Alocasia) Poisoning in cats:
- Extreme drooling and foaming at the mouth.
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Depression, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
- Increased heart beat and respiration, paralysis, and collapse is some case; because of kidney failure.
- Seizures
- Cardiac abnormalities.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Hoarse vocalization.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Depression
- Kidney failure.
- Death
Coma If you notice any of these symptoms, see your veterinarian immediately. Recovery is determined by how much your cat ingested and how quickly treatment was received.
Causes of Alocasia Poisoning in cats
Alocasia pumila, Alocasia mycorrhiza (Hawaiian turnip), Alocasia odora and some other species are poisonous and hallucinogenic in humans and animals. They produce cyanogenic glycosides that can cause illness or death if ingested.
However, the Causes of Alocasia Poisoning in cats include:
- Having Alocasia close to your play and roam.
- Ingesting Alocasia leaves and stems, or other part with plants sap or fluid.
- The Dead plant roots can also cause poisoning.
Treatment of Alocasia Poisoning in cats
The first treatment for Alocasia poisoning in cats is inducing vomiting within 2 hours of consumption. Get your cat to drink plenty of water afterwards.
If you noticed any symptoms of Alocasia poisoning, take your pet to the veterinary. Any symptoms of illness will manifest especially if your cat has consumed a large amount.
Here are Treatment for Alocasia Poisoning in cats, your vet will administer:
- Induce vomiting after consumption.
- Wash affected Areas.
- Activated charcoal orally.
- Administer diphenhydramine if experiencing allergic reactions.
- Kapectolin or sucralfate to ease gastrointestinal irritation.
- Cat drink plenty water for hydration.
Note: Recovery is determined by how much your cat ingested, what type of alocasia eaten and how quickly treatment was received.
Which Plants Are Most Toxic to Cats?
Before you set out with cultivating your preferred plants, it is essential to know that many houseplants can be unsafe for your pets (cat, dogs etc.,) if ingested.
Therefore, here are some plants you need be cautious about having them at home.
- The Lilies…
- The Sago palms
- The Azaleas and Rhododendrons are beautiful.
- The Devil’s Haircut (Dumb Cane).
- The Spider Plant…
- A violet from Africa…
- Plants (Tillandsia) in the air plant (Tillandsia)
How Poisonous Is Alocasia?
Alocasia is cultivated as an ornamental plant, grown in most home gardens around the world. Some of the species serves as food, especially in Arica and Asia and are not poisonous.
However, not many of the species are safe.
There is one species called Alocasia Esculenta (Taro), dangerous when consumed. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation when ingested by humans or animals.
If your cat ingests Alocasia Esculenta, it will cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration and even death if left untreated.
FAQ’S on Is Alocasia Toxic to Cat
What to do if a Cat Eats Alocasia
Wash the affected body parts or induced vomiting. When treatment is administered quickly when ingested, full recovery occurs within 12 to 24 hour.
In cases where the pet is experiencing more severe gastrointestinal upset, persistent vomiting, and diarrhea, administer fluids intravenously to help hydrate the cat and replace lost electrolytes.
Is Alocasia Poisonous to Humans?
The alocasia is highly poisonous to pets, and humans. It can cause death if consumed in large amount.
When the saps and fluids comes into contact with the skin, it causes irritation. Every part of this plant is poisonous, it contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the skin and intestinal tracts when touched or consumed.
Is Alocasia Poisonous to Dogs?
Some Alocasia plants are toxic, Same as most plants in the Araceae family. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that causes irritations and gastrointestinal upset especially when chewed or eaten by your dogs.
Is Calathea Toxic to Cats?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has confirmed that calathea is not poisonous to cats, meaning no plant parts including the leaves, stems, trunk, and roots contain compounds that could hurt your cat.
Is Philodendron Toxic to Cats?
The members of the philodendron family, which includes the Swiss cheese plant, heartleaf, and fiddle-leaf philodendron, are toxic to cats and dogs. Because they belong to the Araceae family, that contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in their leaves and stems.
Final Thought on Is Alocasia Toxic to Cat
Alocasia, known commonly as elephant ears, is a common tropical plant often grown as an ornamental houseplant. While these plants add beauty at home, they can be toxic to cats if ingested.
Young and matured cats are at increased risk of developing kidney failure because of the present of calcium oxalate crystals in Alocasia when consumed.
If you suspect your cat has ingested a large amount of Alocasia, you should call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately.