Is Dieffenbachia Poisonous to Dogs?

The toxic compounds in dieffenbachia:

• Insoluble calcium oxalates
• Proteolytic enzyme

If your dog ate dieffenbachia, watch for:

• •Oral irritation
• •Intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips
• •Excessive drooling
• •Vomiting
• •Difficulty swallowing

Is Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) poisonous to dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists Dieffenbachia as toxic to dogs. Every part of the plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals plus a proteolytic enzyme, which cause intense oral pain and irritation when a dog bites or chews it. Keep this common houseplant out of reach of pets.

What happens if my dog chews on a Dieffenbachia leaf?

Chewing releases needle-like calcium oxalate crystals that immediately irritate and burn the mouth, tongue, and lips. Typical signs are excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. The pain is usually immediate, which often limits how much a dog eats, but severe oral swelling can rarely affect breathing. Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Dieffenbachia toxic to cats too, or just dogs?

It is toxic to both. The ASPCA lists Dieffenbachia as toxic to cats as well as dogs, with the same calcium oxalate and proteolytic-enzyme mechanism. The plant is also commonly sold under names like dumb cane, tropic snow, exotica, and spotted/giant dumb cane, all of which are toxic.

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control - Dieffenbachia

Last updated 2026-06-25