Yes, elephant ear plants are poisonous to dogs. The plant contains a chemical called calcium oxalate, which is toxic to dogs and can cause irritation of the mouth, throat, and stomach.
Symptoms of poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
If your dog ingests any part of an elephant ear plant, contact your veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately.
What Part of Elephant Ear is Toxic to Dogs?
The answer, unfortunately, is all of it. Every single part of an elephant ear plant is poisonous to dogs and can cause a range of serious symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, loss of appetite, seizures, and even death.
If you suspect your dog has ingested any part of an elephant ear plant, it’s important to seek veterinary care immediately.
How Poisonous are Elephant Ear Plants?
While all parts of the elephant ear plant are poisonous if ingested, the leaves contain the highest concentration of toxins. These toxins can cause burning and irritation of the mouth, throat, and stomach; difficulty swallowing; nausea and vomiting; and diarrhea.
In severe cases, ingesting elephant ear plants can lead to seizures, paralysis, and death. Thankfully, these plants have a very bitter taste that deters most people (and animals) from eating them.
However, young children or those with cognitive impairments may not recognize the danger posed by these plants and could inadvertently ingest them. If you suspect that someone has eaten part of an elephant ear plant, call poison control immediately.
Are the Leaves of an Elephant Ear Plant Poisonous?
Yes, the leaves of an elephant ear plant are poisonous. The plant contains a toxic compound called calcium oxalate, which is found in all parts of the plant including the leaves, stems, and roots.
Symptoms of poisoning include burning and irritation of the mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If ingested in large quantities, this toxin can cause death.
What Do You Do If You Touch an Elephant Ear Plant?
If you touch an elephant ear plant, the first thing you should do is wash your hands. This plant can cause skin irritation, so it’s important to get the sap off of your skin as soon as possible.
You can also try rubbing some vegetable oil into your skin to help break down the sap. If you have any open cuts or scrapes on your skin, this plant can cause an infection, so be sure to keep them clean and covered.
Are Elephant Ear Plants Poisonous to Humans?
All parts of the elephant ear plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and swelling of the mouth and throat if consumed.
In severe cases, ingestion of these plants can lead to difficulty breathing and even death. If you suspect that someone has eaten part of an elephant ear plant, seek medical attention immediately.
While elephant ear plants are poisonous if ingested, they are not harmful if touched. So if you want to enjoy their dramatic beauty without worry, simply admire them from a distance.
Are Elephant Ear Plants Poisonous to Animals
Elephant ear plants (Colocasia esculenta) are beautiful, tropical-looking perennials that are often grown as annuals. They are commonly used as landscape plants and make excellent houseplants.
However, they can be poisonous to animals if ingested. The toxic principle in elephant ear plants is unknown, but it is thought to be a saponin-like compound. Saponins are glycosides that produce soap-like foam when mixed with water.
They are found in many plant species and can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested in large amounts. Symptoms of elephant ear plant poisoning include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and collapse.
If your animal ingests this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately for treatment recommendations.
Conclusion
Yes, elephant ear plants are poisonous to dogs. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and burning in the mouth, throat and stomach.
Symptoms include drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. If your dog ingests this plant, call your veterinarian immediately.
