Is Alocasia Toxic To Cats? [Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention]

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Cats are notorious for eating anything that isn’t nailed down. So if you’ve got a cat, there’s a very high probability that it’ll try to eat something poisonous. It is therefore common for cat and plant owners to ask “Is Alocasia toxic to cats?” and “Can cats eat Alocasia?”.

The ASPCA reports that Alocasia is toxic to cats as it contains insoluble calcium oxalates. If ingested, this plant can cause oral irritation, swelling of the lips, tongue, and mouth, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, and vomiting.

It’s no secret that cats are picky eaters when it comes to food. Because of this, poisoning in cats is rare. But kittens and youthful, curious cats may be more prone to consuming harmful plants, especially those found in homes.

This article explores the toxicity of Alocasia and the effects that it can have on cats. You will find out more as you read on.

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Is Alocasia Toxic to Cats?

Alocasia, like other subspecies of the Araceae family, contains insoluble oxalate crystals. If this plant is consumed or chewed, it will cause mouth and gastrointestinal tract discomfort due to the penetration of tissue. Breathing becomes challenging when upper airway inflammation sometimes occurs.

Poisonous Alocasia is characterized by long, heart-shaped, and red stalks, according to the North Carolina State University’s official site. It is very easy to recognize toxic Alocasia veins as they are white to pale yellow with small clusters of poisonous blooms.

Regardless of whether some of these plants’ foliage contains toxins or not, all parts of them should be considered hazardous. If you suspect your cat has come into contact with the Alocasia, take them to a veterinarian immediately.

How Poisonous Is Alocasia?

The Alocasia plant is highly poisonous. There are sharp edges to the insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in the Alocasia plant, causing them to irritate anything that comes into contact with them. Your cats may develop various skin infections and rashes if they touch the plant in any way.

There can be serious health problems associated with ingesting the sap or juice from Alocasia. Symptoms can manifest immediately or within 1-2 hours after ingestion and last for 2-3 weeks.

Mass consumption is also associated with cardiac abnormalities, dilated pupils, comas, and death. However, it is uncommon to consume large quantities of the plant due to its bitter taste.

Symptoms of Alocasia Poisoning in Cats

Alocasia can cause a variety of problems in cats, depending on the quantity consumed. Therefore, it is important to check the plant and determine how much it has been consumed. Next, look for changes in behavior and diagnostic symptoms. You’ll usually see physical symptoms within two hours of consumption.

Here are some symptoms of alocasia poisoning in cats:

• An obvious sign of pain or irritation is shaking the head violently, pawing at the mouth, excessive drooling, vomiting, and barfing.
• Meowing, whining, or yelping abnormally loudly or weakly
• Throat swelling
• Shortness of breath due to restricted oxygen intake from severe swelling
• Inflammation of the mouth, tongue, and throat, as well as distress, diarrhea, and inappetence.
• Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and shock (if your cat vomits or diarrheas heavily)
• Dysphagia (inability to swallow)
• Severe gastrointestinal problems can occur at higher doses.
• A large amount of poison will cause more severe ailments when absorbed into the body. Any or all of these can occur, along with renal failure, convulsions, coma, and death.

In the event that you think or see your cat eating or chewing any parts of the Alocasia plant, you should take him to a veterinarian for necessary medications.

Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the amount consumed, the cat’s treatment will vary. Early diagnosis and fewer toxic effects result in easier treatment.

For safety reasons, keep your Alocasia out of reach of cats.

What Should You Do If Your Cat Eats Alocasia?

The most effective way to prevent Alocasia from poisoning your cats is to keep it away from them. The curiosity of cats is similar to that of children, and they may attempt to lick and smell anything new to them. It’s your responsibility as a plant owner to protect your cat from toxic plants.

Thankfully, Alocasia’s taste isn’t so sweet that cats would want to nibble at it in high quantities, making it relatively rare for cats to consume it in large amounts.

If you notice your cats ingesting or coming into contact with them, please take the following steps:

• First, keep an eye out for any signs of poisoning in your cats.
• Make sure there are no leaves or parts of the plant left in your cat’s mouth.
• Give them milk or some other liquid to drink.
• Consult a veterinarian immediately if you see complications such as a swollen mouth, breathing problems, or diarrhea.
• Give the vet all the details of the accident.
• During the examination, the vet will remove any leftover parts from inside the cat’s mouth, as well as wash and clean them.
• The vet will then do tests to see how the cat’s body functions and if the poison affected it. Blood tests and stool tests may be ordered based on the condition of your cat.
• If the symptoms of poisoning are mild, such as itching, mouth infection, or diarrhea, they can be treated easily within days.
• However, if the consumption was in higher quantities, which is rare, it might complicate matters further. If that’s the case, your veterinarian will explain how the treatment will proceed.

After your cat returns home, make sure he has a quiet place to rest. It is recommended to keep your cat in a cage overnight to avoid overexertion.

Be sure to follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian, and make sure that your cat drinks plenty of water while its digestive system is returning to normal.

The most severe symptoms of Alocasia poisoning usually disappear within the first 24 hours, but the illness can last up to two weeks.

How To Keep Cats Away From Alocasia

Pet cats can be naughty, and they’re difficult to train. They don’t listen to their owners, so if you have an Alocasia and a cat at home, it can be dangerous.

To keep your cats from coming into contact with your Alocasia, here’s some advice:

• In general, cats do not like citrus fruits. To keep the cat away from the Alocasia plant, place lemon or orange peels around it or on the soil.
• Although it may be difficult, teach your cats not to approach the Alocasia.
• You can spray the cats with water whenever they get near the Alocasia.
• There are some sprays on the market with strong scents that might repel cats.
• Toys for your cats are a great way to keep them entertained. They’ll stay away from the plant that way.
• Put the plant somewhere your cats won’t be able to get to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alocasia toxic to touch?

The Alocasia plant is very attractive, but it can be dangerous if mishandled. Calcium oxalate crystals are found on all parts of the plant. When touched, the stems or leaves can irritate the skin and cause itchiness and a rash.

What if my cat eats Alocasia?

If your cat eats Alocasia, monitor your cat for signs of poisoning. Symptoms to watch for are excessive drooling, vomiting, and mouth inflammation. A visit to the vet is not necessary if your cat seems fine and is eating as usual. However, if your cat exhibits any symptoms of poisoning, seek immediate veterinary attention.

Can cats be around Alocasia?

Alocasia is one of those plants that are toxic to cats. You should never leave your cat near this plant. Even if your cat doesn’t eat any of the leaves, it may still come into contact with them through its fur. Keep your cat safe from Alocasia poisoning by keeping him away from the plant at all times.

Will Alocasia kill my cat?

While Alocasia is toxic to cats, it doesn’t usually cause death unless consumed in large quantities. Since it tastes bitter, most cats won’t eat it unless they’re starving. Even if they do try to eat it, they usually only eat small portions at once.

However, if your cat does accidentally ingest large amounts of Alocasia, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, seizures, coma and death. You should call your vet right away if your cat displays symptoms after coming into contact with any part of the plant.