Philodendron
ToxicPhilodendron is toxic to dogs. Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause immediate oral pain, swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, heavy drooling and trouble swallowing, and rarely airway swelling.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Do not offer as a treat
There is no recommended treat portion for this hazardous item. If swallowed, contact a vet with the amount, time and product details. Do not induce vomiting yourself.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Mouth irritation
- Excessive salivation
- Facial swelling
- Gagging
- Vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Dehydration
More about this food
The ASPCA lists heartleaf philodendron (also sold as cordatum or sweetheart plant) as toxic to dogs, with "insoluble calcium oxalates" as the toxic principle and clinical signs of "oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing."
The mechanism is unusual. Insoluble calcium oxalate is not absorbed to poison an organ; it is a needle-shaped crystal that physically stabs mucous membranes. The moment a dog bites a leaf, the crystals embed in the lips, tongue, gums and throat, and the pain is immediate. That is why most dogs take one chew and spit. What you see is sudden pawing at the mouth, ropey drooling, gagging, refusal to eat or drink, and visibly swollen lips or tongue. It usually settles within a few hours to a day.
This still is not a shrug-it-off plant, because of the airway. Pet Poison Helpline warns that in severe cases throat swelling can occur and cause breathing difficulty. Swelling in the mouth and swelling around the larynx are different outcomes. Noisy or labored breathing, a stretched-out neck posture, or blue-tinged gums is an immediate emergency. Pain that keeps a dog from drinking for hours brings dehydration too, and puppies and brachycephalic breeds have less airway to spare.
Remove the remaining plant and rinse the mouth rather than prying it open. Letting your dog lap cool water, a little milk, or plain yogurt can help bind the crystals and ease the sting. Then call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Go in immediately for any change in breathing, drooling that will not stop, swelling that keeps building, or a dog who has not been able to drink for hours. Do not induce vomiting at home; the crystals simply scrape the esophagus and mouth a second time. Pain control, anti-inflammatories, airway management and IV fluids are veterinary decisions.
Frequently asked questions
- He bit a leaf and now he's drooling and pawing at his face.
- That is the classic insoluble calcium oxalate reaction: crystals embedded in the mouth. Take the plant away, offer cool water or a spoonful of plain yogurt or milk, and call your veterinarian. Do not force his mouth open to wipe it out.
- Will it wear off on its own?
- Usually within a few hours to a day. But a dog who cannot drink gets dehydrated, and Pet Poison Helpline notes rare throat swelling that causes breathing difficulty. Any noisy breathing or blue-tinged gums means the emergency clinic, now.
- Are pothos, monstera and peace lily the same?
- Yes, they are all aroids with the same insoluble calcium oxalates, so treat them the same way. Keep these houseplants out of reach and pick up dropped or trimmed leaves right away.