may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This pretty houseplant is a very popular domestic choice because it is fast-growing and easy to maintain. The giant dumb cane plant, which is also known as the mother-in-law plant, is a popular houseplant and can also be used as a decorative plant in residential gardens. Common names: Charming dieffenbachia, giant dumb cane, tropic snow, dumbcane, exotica, spotted dumb cane, exotica perfection Toxic to: Cats, dogs Symptoms: Oral irritation; intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips; excessive drooling; vomiting; difficulty swallowing Dumbcane. Is the Dumb Cane Plant Toxic to Cats, Dogs, or Kids? If you have young puppies or kittens, dieffenbachia is probably not a good plant to grow indoors since they love to chew on anything … Dieffenbachia is a genus of perennial, tropical, flowering plants that are widely sold and commonly kept as houseplants due to their tolerance of shade and their pretty and varied appearances. It is also mildly toxic to humans with similar symptoms but only if you ingest massive amounts. Most cats will make a full recovery from giant dumb cane poisoning. The vet will thoroughly wash out your cat’s mouth to relieve discomfort associated with the crystals. But not to worry about it, as I already listed most 9 common poisonous plants for cats and dogs with their symptoms on pet through which you can identify your pet problem and head to doctor immediately. Dieffenbachia, also known as dumb cane, is a common houseplant that can cause a burning sensation in the lips, tongue and mouth; vomiting; and difficulty swallowing in cats. This extremely popular houseplant is totally safe for your cats. She may show irritation of her mouth, lips and tongue, which may be swollen and red. There have been reported instances of death with dogs, cats, rabbits and pet birds. Depending on the amount of spotted dumb cane your cat eats, she may experience pain, stomach upset and diarrhea only or she may experience breathing problems and go into renal and liver failure. Yes, yes, and yes. Chewing or biting into this plant will release these crystals causing tissue penetration and irritation the mouth and GI tract. *Wag! If this plant is ingested, oral irritation can occur, especially on the tongue and lips. Dieffenbachia is actually referred to as dumb cane because the burning sensation can apparently make one unable to speak properly. If the cat has already started to vomit, it may be helpful to bring in a sample of the vomit, which may contain plant pieces. This may help your vet to determine the cause of your cat’s illness. Ingestion of dieffenbachia is rarely fatal but very unpleasant for cats. The Giant Dumb Cane is poisonous for both cats and dogs. Is there any truth to the rumor that this common Hello there, dumb cane is a severe irritant to cats. The spotted dumb cane plant is toxic and potentially dangerous to your cat. The Oleander Plant, or Nerium oleander, is a flowering shrub which can be grown outside as a bush, or dwarf varieties… Poisoning Symptoms: Intense burning sensation of the mouth, throat, lips and tongue; excessive drooling, choking and swelling of the throat, inability or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); symptoms may continue to occur up to two weeks after … This plant is known by many other names such as Dumb Cane, Charming Dieffenbachia, Giant Dumb Cane … Spider Plant. Typical symptoms include difficulty swallowing, drooling, irritation of mouth, pawing in the mouth and vomiting. These medications will stop vomiting and ease any discomfort your cat may be experiencing. The most important part of recovery is preventing exposure to the giant dumb cane plant. The symptoms of giant dumb cane poisoning will vary from cat to cat. And adults, too. Image: FeelPic / iStock.com But, they will also be able to see signs of calcium oxalate crystals during an oral examination. This plant causes moderate levels of sickness in pets. These plants contain crystals of calcium oxalate known as raphides. When the cat begins to chew or bite into a piece of the plant, the crystals are released into the cat’s mouth and gastrointestinal tract if ingested. *. The vet may feed your cat yogurt, cheese, milk, or any other product that contains calcium, as this can help relieve the pain caused by crystals. © 2021 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This makes recovery a much likelier possibility for your cat. Dieffenbachia (commonly known as dumb cane, tropic snow, and exotica) is toxic to dogs and cats. Even though the condition probably isn’t serious, the vet can still provide treatment to alleviate the pain. Drooling / Mouth Salivation / Pain / Seizures / Vomiting. Lilium, Hemerocallis. If it is not administered, it’s possible your cat’s airways may begin to swell up, making it difficult or impossible for him to breathe. Unfortunately, it contains For cats, this is Floral Enemy #1. Treatment will begin immediately following a diagnosis, and will focus on making your cat more comfortable. Pet Poison Helpline reported that even though all parts of the plant are dangerous to cats, the seeds are the most toxic. Your vet may give Benadryl to your cat, which helps to reduce inflammation and swelling. Because this plant has such painful consequences, it’s difficult for any animal to eat very much of it. The 12 Most Common Plants That Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs. Dieffenbachia, known as Tropic Snow Exotica or Dumb Cane, is one of the easiest houseplants to grow at home. Elephant ear (Caladium) Elephant’s ear (Alocasia spp.) If the managed to eat a large amount of spotted dumb cane, your doctor will monitor your cat’s breathing. Dieffenbachia contains a chemical that is a poisonous deterrent to animals. Toxicity to pets This plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals similar to other plants in the Araceae family. Dieffenbachia, commonly called dumb cane, is a beautiful tropical plant. The vet can also administer Kapectolin or sucralfate, which are two medications designed to protect the stomach lining and prevent further irritation. It’s vital to get your cat to the vet immediately, just as soon as you know she is sick. This plant has a type of toxicity commonly seen in other tropical plants like Philodendron. If you suspect your pet may have ingested a potentially toxic substance, call the APCC at (888) 426-4435 or contact your local veterinarian as soon as possible. He can also perform a gastric lavage, which is the medical term for stomach wash, to flush out your cat’s stomach cavity as well. These cats will need to receive fluids intravenously to regain their strength. Compare top pet insurance plans. © 2021 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Diarrhea / Pain / Seizures / Shaking / Swelling / Vomiting, Obvious irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, Eye irritation or blindness (if crystals touch the eyes). It is possible for your cat to recover from spotted dumb cane poisoning, as long as you get her to the vet as soon as you know something’s wrong. Almost as soon as your cat ingests any part of spotted dumb cane, she will begin showing signs of pain: These symptoms can last for up to two weeks. Toxicity to pets This plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals similar to other plants in the Araceae family. *Wag! Some of the most common symptoms include: Giant dumb cane poisoning is caused by exposure to the giant dumb cane plant. Some cats will experience dehydration because of excessive vomiting. In the vet’s office, your cat will be observed to make sure symptoms don’t get worse (breathing issues, liver and kidney issues). She may develop diarrhea and vomiting. This allows him to know exactly what your cat ate. Dwarf larkspur (Delphinium tricorne) E East Indian thyme (Coleus ampoinicus) Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum ) Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) If she has difficulty, he will give her supplemental oxygen until her breathing returns to normal, either via flow-by or an oxygen cage. If ingested, the crystals will have the same painful effect on the cat’s digestive tract. Toxins: Calcium Oxalate Crystals, possibly Proteinase depending upon species. It is … Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!. Giant Dumb Cane is a housplant popular that … Some of the signs of toxicity in cats include mild nausea, drowsiness, and vomiting in cats. If you see plant matter in or on her mouth, gently wash it off with cool water and bag the plant bits you find. Chewing or biting into this plant will release these crystals causing tissue penetration and irritation the mouth and GI tract. Regardless of how much is ingested, it’s important to take your cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible if he is exhibiting any signs of discomfort. ), also known as dumb cane or exotica perfection, contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which cause oral irritation in cats (drooling, difficulty swallowing and vomiting). The crystals have the ability to penetrate through the tissues inside your cat’s mouth and gastrointestinal tract to cause extreme discomfort. Symptoms – Difficulty breathing, swelling, and vomiting. Unfortunately, it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to cats and can cause a great deal of discomfort. The giant dumb cane plant tastes very bitter, so it is unlikely that your cat will ingest enough of it to make this condition life-threatening, however, it is possible. But I’m less worried about you eating your houseplants than I am your kids and pets. Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp. If the plant is ingested, oral irritation can occur, especially on the tongue and lips. Like some other houseplants, dumb canes contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause a burning sensation if chewed. Spotted dumb cane is also known by several other names: exotica perfection, charming dieffenbachia, exotica, giant dumb cane, tropic snow and dumbcane. The leaves contain the steroidal substance, saponin. As those calcium oxalates (crystals) fly violently out, they embed themselves into your cat’s mouth, lips, face and tongue, causing intense pain. If her stomach is upset, she will receive Kapectolin to coat her stomach and protect the lining. One of its toxins are insoluble calcium oxalates, which have highly painful effects. This is especially common in cases which the airway was swelling. Vets will often diagnose this condition based solely on what the cat's owner has described. Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats: Dieffenbachia. Dieffenbachia contains a chemical that is a poisonous deterrent to animals. It is common for your cat to be released to you immediately following treatment, however the vet may keep the cat to monitor his vitals if his condition is severe. Benadryl may also be administered to your cat to manage swelling. Dumb Cane. When a cat chews on the giant dumb cane plant, crystals are released into the cat’s mouth that penetrate through tissue and cause pain. Emerald duke (Philodendron hastatum) Emerald feather … In massive doses, spotted dumb cane can also cause your cat to experience: Once your cat bites into the spotted dumb cane, the calcium oxalates explode out of the gelatin that contains them. If you can, bring a piece of the plant or a picture of it to make the diagnosis process easier for the vet. Unfortunately, they are toxic to cats and dogs, for the same reason as the Dracaenas. Depending on the exact variety of dumb cane, it may also have a proteolytic enzyme that can cause pain and inflammation and exacerbate the effect of calcium oxalate crystals. Therefore, you shouldn’t be keeping it as an ornament. If the exposure took place outside, it’s best that you keep your cat indoors as much as possible to prevent him from making contact with the plant again. The giant dumb cane plant, which is also known as the mother-in-law plant, is a popular houseplant and can also be used as a decorative plant in residential gardens. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia spp.) This plant is toxic to cats as well as dogs. Snake Plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) Snake plants, often referred to as "mother … ... jade plants, snake plants, dumb cane, among many others. Protect yourself and your pet. The culprit in the yucca plant, as with many of the plants on this list, is the harmful chemical component called saponins. VERY rarely, swelling of the upper airway occurs making it difficult to breathe. Elephant Ear, Dumb Cane, and Related Plants. Nevertheless, it’s poisonous to cats and dogs. And, if she has eaten a large amount of the plant, she may develop breathing problems, and kidney and liver failure. Her mouth may be washed with water to remove any remaining plant material. Your cat’s mouth and gastrointestinal tract will be very sore, so it is recommended you stick to soft foods that will not cause irritation. Regrettably, yucca cane and cats can be a dangerous combination. Of course, her symptoms depend on how much she ate. If you did bring a sample of spotted dumb cane with you, give these to the vet so he can have them tested. A warning graphic with the words Dangerous Plant has circulated online for several years. If taken in by mouth, the substance will cause small abrasions, irritation … ... Dumb Cane and Mother-in-Law’s Tongue may give clues as to the effects of this substance. In massive doses, spotted dumb cane can also cause your cat to experience: Convulsions Renal failure Liver failure Coma Death There is not a test that the vet can perform to diagnose giant dumb cane poisoning. Sucralfate, which reacts with her stomach acids by forming a paste, may be administered to also coat the stomach. Jack-in-the-pulpit (Three-leaved indian turnip, Devil's dear, Wake robin, Starch wort, Wild turnip, Dragon root, Bog onion, Pepper turnip, Brown dragon, Memory root) | Scientific Names: Arisaema triphyllum | Family: Araceae Symptoms of dumb cane poisoning in cats include vomiting, burning of the mouth, oral irritation, swelling, and in severe cases difficulty swallowing or breathing. If you spot symptoms of giant dumb cane poisoning, or if you see your cat chewing on this plant, take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!. Alternatively, you may want to consider ways to prevent your cat from accessing … Talk to your vet about what foods you should feed your cat in the days following treatment.