Is the Alocasia toxic to cats, dogs and children? What you need to know

August 22, 2026

Short answer: yes. All Alocasias, like the rest of the aroid family (Monstera, Philodendron, Pothos, Dieffenbachia), contain calcium oxalate crystals in the form of microscopic needles (raphides) in leaves, stems and corms. It's not a poison that gets absorbed; it's a mechanical and chemical irritant that acts when the plant is bitten or chewed. It's worth knowing before bringing one home with cats, dogs or small children.

What happens if they bite it

When the tissue breaks, the crystals stick into the mouth, tongue and throat and release irritating substances. Within minutes there's pain, heavy drooling, swelling of lips and tongue, sometimes vomiting and, in rare cases, difficulty swallowing or breathing from the inflammation. Precisely because it hurts from the first bite, animals and children usually stop right away and serious poisonings are uncommon. The cases described as most serious are in cats, because of their size and because they chew the leaves.

What to do

Remove the bits of plant from the mouth and rinse with water. In children, sips of cold water or milk help to soothe; do not induce vomiting.
Pets: call the vet or an emergency vet line if there's heavy drooling, swelling or difficulty breathing. Bring the name of the plant.
People: if the swelling progresses or there's difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to A&E. In Spain, the Toxicological Information Service is available 24 h on 91 562 04 20.
If the sap touches the eyes, wash with plenty of water for several minutes.

Handling the plant safely

For an adult, touching the leaves is fine. The sap can irritate sensitive skin when you cut leaves, divide corms or repot: wear gloves or wash your hands afterwards, and don't touch your eyes while you work. The corms also contain oxalates; keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Living with cats and dogs

Place it up high or in a grow cabinet: as well as protecting it, that's where it grows best thanks to the humidity.
A cat that bites plants is usually looking for fibre: a tray of cat grass nearby greatly reduces its interest in the others.
Fallen leaves and pruning scraps, into the bin right away.
If your pet has already bitten once and got a fright, it rarely repeats; even so, don't leave it alone with the plant the first few days.

What isn't true

No, the Alocasia is not deadly “with one leaf” for a dog or a cat, as you sometimes read; serious poisonings are exceptional and almost always from large amounts. Nor is it dangerous for being in the room, or for touching it, or for its smell: only when it's bitten or when the sap contacts mucous membranes. And no, there are no “non-toxic” Alocasias: variegation, colour or size don't change their composition.

All the care information, without the scares, in the Alocasia care guide.

Texto redactado con ayuda de inteligencia artificial y publicado por el equipo de Marina’s Jungle Gems.