Kalanchoe Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 4,722 found this helpful

Kalanchoe spp

Kalanchoe is confirmed toxic to cats and dogs, while its toxicity to horses remains unconfirmed

Its primary active toxic compounds are classified as bufodienolides per ASPCA data

Most exposures cause gastrointestinal symptoms, with rare occurrences of abnormal heart rhythm

FAQ

Is Kalanchoe toxic to Humans?

No confirmed severe human toxicity cases are documented; accidental ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in sensitive people (Low)

Is Kalanchoe toxic to Cats?

Vomiting, diarrhea, rare abnormal heart rhythm (Moderate)

Is Kalanchoe toxic to Dogs?

Vomiting, diarrhea, rare abnormal heart rhythm (Moderate)

Is Kalanchoe toxic to Horses?

No confirmed clinical signs documented as toxicity risk is currently unknown (Unknown)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No confirmed severe human toxicity cases are documented; accidental ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in sensitive people

Cats

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, rare abnormal heart rhythm

Dogs

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, rare abnormal heart rhythm

Horses

Unknown

No confirmed clinical signs documented as toxicity risk is currently unknown

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts, particularly leaves and stems, are considered potentially toxic

Exposure RoutePrimary exposure route is ingestion; casual skin contact is generally non-toxic but may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals

Toxic CompoundsBufodienolides

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove all remaining plant material from the exposed animal's mouth immediately
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly directed to do so by a veterinary professional
• Collect a sample of the ingested plant to share with your vet for accurate identification

Contact Vet Immediately

• Your pet is exhibiting vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy after exposure
• You notice irregular breathing or an abnormal heart rate in your pet post-ingestion
• A large quantity of the plant was consumed, even if no symptoms are yet present

Prevention

• Keep all Kalanchoe plants placed well out of reach of cats, dogs, and other household pets
• Label all houseplants clearly to prevent accidental ingestion by pets or young children
• Securely dispose of all pruned Kalanchoe cuttings to avoid unsupervised pet access

Treatment & Prognosis

• Veterinary decontamination via activated charcoal to reduce toxin absorption
• Symptomatic supportive care including anti-emetics and fluid therapy to address gastrointestinal symptoms
• Cardiac monitoring and targeted cardiac support if abnormal heart rhythm is detected

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameKalanchoe spp

AliasesMother-In-Law-Plant、Devils Backbone、Chandelier Plant、Mother of Millions

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesUnknown

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractCardiac system

Mechanism of Action

• Bufodienolides act as cardiac glycosides, disrupting cellular sodium-potassium pump function in cardiac and gastrointestinal tissue

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Horse: Toxicity is unstudied; monitor for gastrointestinal distress if ingestion occurs, contact a large animal vet if symptoms appear

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): Suspected moderate toxicity; ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset and potential cardiac effects in large doses

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Jade Plant Crassula ovata

Both are thick-leaved Crassulaceae succulents; Jade Plant has smaller, smooth rounded leaves, while most Kalanchoe have serrated leaf edges and bright clustered flowers

Echeveria Echeveria elegans

Both are popular rosette-forming succulents; Echeveria has soft, powdery coated leaves and does not produce tall chandelier-style flower stalks like many Kalanchoe varieties

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Related Toxic Plants

Jade Plant

Crassula ovata

Moderate toxicity

String of Pearls

Curio rowleyanus

High toxicity

Silver Dollar Plant

Crassula arborescens

Moderate toxicity

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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