Plant safety · 2 min read

Is Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) toxic to cats?

No — dangerous

Yes. Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) has one of the highest concentrations of calcium oxalate crystals of any houseplant — a chewed leaf causes intense immediate pain.

If your cat has just eaten dieffenbachia (dumb cane)

  1. Rinse mouth with cool water.
  2. Call your vet immediately — particularly if there's any swelling.
  3. Watch breathing closely.

What's the full picture?

Dumb cane gets its common name from the throat-numbing, painful swelling that its sap causes. Cats that chew it usually drop it quickly but can still have significant oral pain and swelling.

Severe cases can have enough swelling to affect breathing, which is an emergency.

Symptoms to watch for

Immediately
Drooling, severe mouth pain, pawing, distress.
Within hours
Significant swelling of mouth, tongue, throat. Breathing difficulty in severe cases.

If you're worried right now

Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet first. For poison advice, the Animal PoisonLine (UK) is on 01202 509000 — 24/7, charges apply. Your vet can also call the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) directly.

Calla lilies no Peace lilies no Philodendron no Pothos (devil's ivy) no Sago palms no

About this guidance

Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.

This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.

Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.

Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team

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