Can dogs and cats eat Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)?
Dieffenbachia contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense mouth pain and swelling when chewed.
Why
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals
Signs to watch for
- drooling
- pawing at the mouth
- mouth and tongue swelling
- vomiting
- difficulty swallowing
Good to know
Rarely life-threatening, but swelling can make breathing difficult in rare cases. Rinse the mouth with water and call your vet.
If you think your pet has been poisoned
If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten or touched something poisonous, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately, even if your pet seems fine – some poisons take hours or days to show signs, and early treatment works best. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to, as this can cause more harm. Take the packaging, label or a piece of the plant with you, and note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
Sources
Sources
Checked against these sources in October 2026.