PlantFunAnthurium Toxic?
All parts of the anthurium plant are toxic, containing needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals and soluble oxalates
Mild exposure causes oral, throat and gastrointestinal irritation, while high doses may lead to organ damage and heart rhythm abnormalities
Birds face extreme risk of life-threatening severe toxicity even from small ingestions of the plant
FAQ
Is Anthurium toxic to Humans?
Oral burning/irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, throat swelling leading to breathing difficulty; high doses may cause abnormal heart rhythm, liver and kidney damage (Moderate)
Is Anthurium toxic to Cats?
Formal documented data limited, expected to cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal distress on ingestion (Low)
Is Anthurium toxic to Dogs?
Formal documented data limited, expected to cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal distress on ingestion (Low)
Is Anthurium toxic to Horses?
Formal documented data limited, expected to cause oral irritation, drooling, colic, diarrhea, and throat swelling leading to breathing difficulty on ingestion (Low)
Toxicity Details
Oral burning/irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, throat swelling leading to breathing difficulty; high doses may cause abnormal heart rhythm, liver and kidney damage
Formal documented data limited, expected to cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal distress on ingestion
Formal documented data limited, expected to cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal distress on ingestion
Formal documented data limited, expected to cause oral irritation, drooling, colic, diarrhea, and throat swelling leading to breathing difficulty on ingestion
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Remove all remaining plant material from the mouth, and rinse the mouth thoroughly with cool clean water
- • Offer small sips of water or milk to dilute toxins, do not induce vomiting unless directed by a medical/vet professional
- • Monitor closely for signs of swelling, difficulty breathing, or severe gastrointestinal distress
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Persistent excessive drooling, vomiting or diarrhea
- • Signs of breathing difficulty or inability to swallow
- • Seizures, unsteady gait, or abnormal heart rhythm
- • Ingestion of a large quantity of plant material
Prevention
- • Keep the plant out of reach of children, pets, and pet birds
- • Wear protective gloves when pruning or handling the plant to avoid sap-related skin irritation
- • Label the plant clearly as toxic to prevent accidental ingestion
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Clinical decontamination as appropriate for the exposure level
- • Symptomatic supportive care including pain relievers and antihistamines if clinically indicated
- • Glucocorticoids to reduce severe upper respiratory tract swelling
- • Calcium supplementation for very large ingestion cases, with monitoring of liver and kidney function
Professional Toxicology
• Needle-shaped calcium oxalate raphides penetrate soft tissue of the mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract, causing immediate irritation, inflammation and swelling
• Soluble oxalates bind to circulating calcium in the body, potentially causing hypocalcemia and organ damage in high-dose exposures
Information from CliniTox veterinary text.
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Data Sources
This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.