Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
Are Elephant Ears toxic to dogs? Elephant Ears are categorized as toxic plants to dogs due to their stomach and oral irritating properties. Learn how serious is Elephant Ear poisoning in pooches and know its clinical signs.
Why Are Elephant Ears Toxic to Dogs?
Carrying the scientific name Colocasia, the Elephant Ear is a tropical perennial plant with large heart-shaped leaves. This distinctive trait earned the plant its name as its leaves bear a resemblance to Elephant Ears.
Other nicknames of the plant include:
- Caladium
- Dasheen
- Green Taro
- Malanga Taro
The offensive compound Elephant Ears produce are insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. They are microscopic compounds with needlelike edges that stick to the skin tissues, causing pain and irritation.
How Toxic Are Elephant Ears to Dogs?
According to the Pet Poison Helpline, Elephant Ears are only mildly toxic to dogs. Its poisonous compounds will not likely cause fatal adverse reactions unless consumed in large quantities.
Excessive ingestion of these plants leads to severe oral irritation. This triggers the swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat. Breathing issues and difficulty in swallowing food and water may occur as a result, which can be life-threatening.
What Parts of Elephant Ears Are Toxic to Dogs?
Elephant Ears are covered in insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Thus, all of their parts can cause health problems in dogs, including:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
This makes dogs more likely to come into contact with these plants and experience adverse reactions. Thus, if you have one in your home, be extra careful where you place it.
Avoid putting the Elephant Ear in areas where your canine companion often frequents. If possible, keep it in high cupboards, on top of tall shelves, or in hanging planters.
Growing this tropical plant in the garden means you need to build a strong fence around it. This serves as a trusty barrier whenever your furry pal wanders into the garden.
What Are Symptoms of Elephant Ear Toxicity in Dogs?
If your furry friend has ingested Elephant Ears, watch out for gastrointestinal symptoms, such as:
- Inappetence
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Oral irritation may also take place, with symptoms like:
- Excessive drooling
- Burning sensation in the mouth
- Swollen lips, tongue, and throat
- Difficulty swallowing
If any part of the elephant ear plant comes into contact with your pet’s skin, he might develop an itchy rash. He will lick, bite, and scratch the affected areas to soothe itchiness.
Certain elephant ear species like the Tea Cup Elephant Ear have thorns, which can cause oral injuries. If you suspect your dog has eaten one, make sure to check his mouth for lacerations and bleeding.
What To Do If Your Dog Ate Elephant Ears?
Some dogs are not deterred by the irritating compounds of the Elephant Ear and might try eating the plant again. Thus, for their safety, relocate them to an area where they do not have any access to it.
Reduce the severity of potential oral irritation caused by the plant by gently rinsing their mouth with water. You can also do this using a clean damp towel.
Take this time to check for any mouth injuries if the elephant ear they have ingested possesses thorns.
Check other parts of his body, particularly areas with less fur like the lower belly. They are more likely to develop irritation from the plant’s insoluble calcium oxalates. If you think these areas came into contact with the plant, wipe them with a wet cloth as well.
Next, determine and gather relevant information about what has happened. You can start with the following questions:
- What was the estimated time when the elephant ear ingestion occurred?
- What type of elephant ear has your dog eaten?
- Which part of the plant and how much of it did he ingest?
- Is he showing any signs of Elephant Ear poisoning?
Move on to contacting the vet to share these details with them. They will evaluate whether Fido’s condition needs immediate medical attention.
However, if your furry pal is exhibiting severe toxicity symptoms, skip this step and bring him to the animal clinic right away.
How Does the Veterinarian Treat Elephant Ear Toxicity in Dogs?
The vet will perform emesis provided that Elephant Ear ingestion has happened within a few hours. Since only a small time has passed, your pet’s digestive system has not fully broken down the consumed plant matter.
Therefore, inducing vomiting can effectively remove it from his stomach and prevent more absorption of toxins.
In some cases, the vet will also give him activated charcoal, which soaks up the remaining poisonous compounds in his system.
Frequent vomiting and diarrhea can leave your furry pal severely dehydrated. He may need to undergo IV fluid therapy to avoid excessive loss of electrolytes and fluids.
If your pet’s condition calls for it, the veterinarian will prescribe him medications like antiemetic drugs and topical ointments to mitigate adverse reactions.
FAQs About Are Elephant Ears Toxic to Dogs?
1. Are Elephant Ears Toxic to Dogs and Cats?
Yes, Elephant Ears are toxic to both dogs and cats. Pawrents that also own a feline at home should keep these plants away from their pet.
Ingestion can lead to similar toxicity symptoms in canines like drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. Look out for skin irritation and oral injuries as well.
Cats have very flexible bodies, which often makes them easily gain access to areas dogs cannot. Thus, you might need to place indoor Elephant Ear plant in more elevated areas.
If this is not possible, you have the option to swap it out with pet-friendly alternatives like African Violet, Echeveria, and Parlor Palm.
2. Are Elephant Ears Deadly to Dogs?
Elephant Ears are not deadly to dogs if consumed in small amounts. Generally, they will only cause self-limiting stomach upset and oral irritation.
However, if eaten in excessive amounts, these tropical plants can make the mouth, tongue, and throat of pooches very swollen.
It can lead to serious health issues like difficulty breathing and swallowing. If your furry friend is exhibiting these clinical signs, drive him to the vet right away.
Conclusion
Are Elephant Ears toxic to dogs? Elephant Ears are toxic to dogs due to the insoluble calcium oxalate crystals they naturally produce.
These chemicals cause stomach and oral irritation when consumed. Coming into contact with this plant may result in contact dermatitis.
Although this tropical plant is only mildly toxic to dogs, consuming it in large quantities can cause severe adverse reactions like breathing difficulties.
For this reason, avoid keeping this plant in your home if possible and look for pet-friendly options.
