Is Alocasia Acuminata Safe Around Pets? Absolutely Not!
Alocasia plants, with their large, green, heart-shaped leaves, are popular houseplants that add a touch of the tropics to any home. But pet owners may wonder – are these so-called “elephant ear” plants actually safe to have around cats and dogs?
Never! All Alocasia variants, including the Alocasia Acuminata, are unsafe. Its the oxalate crystals that are found in all Alocasia variants, plants from the Araceae family mainly. It’s not fatal though, but can cause serious uncomfort to your pets.
I’ll try to come up with all the things you need to know about Alocasia and your pets. Keep on reading and I hope you won’t be disappointed!
Table of Contents
Alocasia Acuminata in A Nutshell
Alocasia Acuminata is a species of tropical Alocasia plant native to Asia. It’s one of the most common types of “elephant ear” plants sold as houseplants. Other common Alocasia species include Alocasia Amazonica (Amazonian elephant ear), Alocasia Macrorrhizos (giant taro), and Alocasia ‘Calidora’ (elephant ear ‘Calidora’).
These plants get their name from their very large, arrow-head-shaped leaves that resemble an elephant’s ear. The leaves of Alocasia Acuminata can grow over 3 feet long on mature plants. They are a shiny green on top with paler, silvery-green undersides.
One reason these statement-making plants are so popular as houseplants is they add a huge, jungle-like tropical feel to indoor spaces. Their huge leaves make them stand out from other houseplants.
The Problem: Is Alocasia Acuminata Safe Around Pets?
While Alocasia acuminata and other elephant ear plants are striking additions to indoor plant collections, they do come with a serious downside for pet owners. All parts of these plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
So, Are Alocasia Acuminata Plants Toxic to Pets? Yes, if chewed or ingested, these crystals can cause irritation, swelling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms.
Pet owners rightly wonder – just how toxic are these plants? Are Alocasia safe to have in a home with cats, dogs, or other pets?
Unfortunately, all parts of the Alocasia plant contain toxic oxalate crystals, including the leaves, stems, and roots. So it’s not just a matter of keeping pets away from certain parts of the plant. The entire plant is toxic and should be kept out of reach.
Related article: Is Alocasia Poisonous to Pets
How Alocasia Acuminata is Toxic to Pets?
The oxalate crystals found in Alocasia and other plants in the Araceae family are essentially microscopic, needle-shaped bundles of calcium oxalate. Think of them like tiny needles.
When an animal chews or bites an Alocasia leaf or stem, these crystals become embedded in the tissues of the mouth, tongue, and digestive tract. The needles cause irritation, swelling, and injury.
If a pet ingests part of an Alocasia plant, the oxalate crystals can cause more extensive internal damage. They can irritate the throat, esophagus, and digestive tract, potentially leading to vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
In rare cases, the irritation and swelling in the mouth and throat can obstruct breathing. Oxalate crystal poisoning can become life-threatening if a large amount is ingested.
While oxalate crystals don’t usually cause long-term damage, they can be extremely painful in the short term. Just getting a few crystals stuck in the mouth from biting a leaf can cause pets to drool, paw at their mouth, and refuse food due to mouth pain.
5 Alocasia Poisoning Symptoms in Pets
The most obvious sign your pet has chewed or eaten part of an Alocasia plant is finding damaged leaves or stems. But you may not always witness the event.
Here are some symptoms to watch for if you suspect your pet was exposed to Alocasia or another oxalate crystal-containing plant:
- Pawing at the mouth, drooling, or head shaking – This is a sign of mouth irritation or even puncture wounds from the crystals.
- Decreased appetite – Your pet may avoid eating due to mouth pain.
- Nausea or vomiting – This can occur from irritation to the GI tract. The vomit may contain plant material.
- Diarrhea – Look for watery stool that may also contain traces of plant parts.
- Skin irritation – Some pets can develop dermal irritation or inflammation from contact with the plant or plant juice.
If your pet has any of these symptoms and you believe it may have chewed or eaten part of an Alocasia plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Time is of the essence when dealing with a potential plant poisoning.
Are Any Parts of Alocasia Acuminata Safe for Pets?
Sadly, no parts of the Alocasia plant are considered safe for pets. The entire plant contains oxalate crystals – the leaves, stems, roots and even pollen can cause irritation.
Some people wonder if cooking or processing the plants destroys the crystals. However, research shows that cooking does not break down the crystals – it would take very high heat over an extended time to destroy them. Even juicing or blending the leaves releases more crystals as the plant cells are broken down.
The bottom line is there’s no safe way to feed any part of an Alocasia plant to pets. It’s safest to keep these plants completely away from cats, dogs, and other household pets.
Tips for Keeping Pets Safe From Alocasia Plants
Alocasia acuminata and other elephant ear plants have low toxicity compared to many other common houseplants. But they can still make pets extremely sick, especially if large amounts are ingested. Here are some tips for owners who want to keep these plants safe.
- Place out of reach – Put Alocasia plants somewhere pets can’t access them. Up high on a shelf or plant stand is ideal. Keep off the floor.
- Use barriers – Surround indoor pots with larger decorative planters or other barriers so pets can’t knock them over.
- Remove flowers – Cut off any flower spikes before they develop pollen, which pets may try to eat.
- Supervise plants outdoors – If kept outside during summer, supervise pets around elephant ears and apply pet-safe repellents.
- Inspect regularly – Check plants for signs of chewing and remove damaged parts immediately.
- Keep small plants – Opt for smaller Alocasia varieties and young plants, which have less toxic material.
The risk can be minimized with good precautions, but these plants do require some extra effort to keep pets safe.
Are There Pet-Safe Alocasia Alternatives?
While Alocasia acuminata and other elephant ear plants pose risks for cats and dogs, they aren’t the only tropical-looking plants that can be safely enjoyed around pets. Here are a few pet-friendly alternatives:
- Calathea – With their bold leaf patterns, Calathea offers serious jungle vibes without toxicity. Go for varieties like rattlesnake plant, peacock plant, or zebra plant.
- Philodendron – Heart-leaf philodendron is a vining plant with similar leaves to Alocasia but no toxicity issues. Grow it in a hanging planter that pets can’t reach.
- Anthurium – With shiny leaves and bright flower spikes, anthurium is a great way to safely add a tropical look. Keep out of reach since it can cause mild irritation.
- Parlor Palms – These small palms have feathery fronds and are non-toxic. Choose a baby palm in a heavy planter that’s hard to knock over.
- Cast Iron Plant – This indestructible houseplant has broad, pointed leaves but is pet-safe. Its toughness makes it ideal for homes with pets.
There are lots of ways to get a tropical look without the risk of oxalate crystal poisoning. Focus on plants from the Marantaceae family or check the ASPCA’s list of non-toxic plants for more ideas. With smart plant selection and proper precautions, you can have both houseplants and pets safely.
See the video to get more facts about toxic plants like Alocasia around pets.
Conclusion: Better Safe Than Sorry!
Alocasia acuminata and other elephant ear houseplants offer serious visual impact with their huge, jungle-like foliage. But they do contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals that can harm pets who chew or ingest the plants.
While Alocasia poisoning is rarely fatal, it can cause pets a great deal of discomfort. It’s best to avoid keeping these plants in homes with unsupervised pets prone to chewing. Place them well out of reach, use barriers, and consider safer alternatives if you’re concerned.