Dieffenbachia

Not listed does not mean safe.

Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · shows: Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia

Also known as: Charming Dieffenbachia, Giant Dumb Cane, Tropic Snow, Dumbcane, Exotica, Spotted Dumb Cane, Exotica Perfection

Family: Araceae · ASPCA plant record

Verdict at a glance

🐱 Cats⚠ Toxic 🐶 Dogs⚠ Toxic 🐰 Rabbits⚠ Toxic 🦜 Pet birds (general)! Caution🐤 Canaries⚠ Toxic

Each tile reflects collected claims for that animal. Missing animals are listed below.

Evidence by animal

Sourced plant verdicts — read the original wording and scope
Animal	Verdict and evidence
Companion mammals
🐱 Cats	Cats: ⚠ Toxic ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — ⚠ Toxic Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats Read original source
🐶 Dogs	Dogs: ⚠ Toxic ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — ⚠ Toxic Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats Read original source
Small mammals
🐰 Rabbits	Rabbits: ⚠ Toxic House Rabbit Society (rabbit.org) — Poisonous Plants — ! Caution Dumbcane rabbit.org list "Poisonous Plants" (compiled by the University of Illinois): plants "normally thought to be poisonous"; "others may cause a reaction in some but not in others". Not a graded risk. Read original source Wisconsin House Rabbit Society — Classes of Toxic Plants — ⚠ Toxic Gold Dieffenbachia Wisconsin House Rabbit Society chapter list (G. Flentke, 2012): Class 1 — "Do NOT expose rabbits to these plants." Read original source Wisconsin House Rabbit Society — Classes of Toxic Plants — ⚠ Toxic Dieffenbachia Wisconsin House Rabbit Society chapter list (G. Flentke, 2012): Class 1 — "Do NOT expose rabbits to these plants." Read original source Wisconsin House Rabbit Society — Classes of Toxic Plants — ⚠ Toxic Dumbcane Wisconsin House Rabbit Society chapter list (G. Flentke, 2012): Class 1 — "Do NOT expose rabbits to these plants." Read original source Wisconsin House Rabbit Society — Classes of Toxic Plants — ⚠ Toxic Spotted Dumb Cane Wisconsin House Rabbit Society chapter list (G. Flentke, 2012): Class 1 — "Do NOT expose rabbits to these plants." Read original source Wisconsin House Rabbit Society — Classes of Toxic Plants — ⚠ Toxic Variable Dieffenbachia Wisconsin House Rabbit Society chapter list (G. Flentke, 2012): Class 1 — "Do NOT expose rabbits to these plants." Read original source
Birds
🦜 Pet birds (general)	Pet birds (general): ! Caution VCA Animal Hospitals — Plants That Are Toxic to Birds — ! Caution Gold Dieffenbachia VCA: on the list of "many plants which may be poisonous to birds, although it is not exhaustive"; no asterisk, so not specifically reported harmful in birds. VCA notes information is often inferred from other species. Read original source VCA Animal Hospitals — Plants That Are Toxic to Birds — ! Caution Charming Dieffenbachia VCA: on the list of "many plants which may be poisonous to birds, although it is not exhaustive"; no asterisk, so not specifically reported harmful in birds. VCA notes information is often inferred from other species. Read original source VCA Animal Hospitals — Plants That Are Toxic to Birds — ! Caution Spotted Dumb Cane VCA: on the list of "many plants which may be poisonous to birds, although it is not exhaustive"; no asterisk, so not specifically reported harmful in birds. VCA notes information is often inferred from other species. Read original source VCA Animal Hospitals — Plants That Are Toxic to Birds — ! Caution Variable Dieffenbachia VCA: on the list of "many plants which may be poisonous to birds, although it is not exhaustive"; no asterisk, so not specifically reported harmful in birds. VCA notes information is often inferred from other species. Read original source VCA Animal Hospitals — Plants That Are Toxic to Birds — ! Caution Dumb Cane VCA: on the list of "many plants which may be poisonous to birds, although it is not exhaustive"; no asterisk, so not specifically reported harmful in birds. VCA notes information is often inferred from other species. Read original source
🐤 Canaries	Canaries: ⚠ Toxic Avian toxicoses: a review (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2025) — ⚠ Toxic Dieffenbachia \| Canaries(E) Table 2, "Some plants are toxic to pet birds" (C = clinical report, E = experimental). Basis: experimental. Read original source

No reliable data for 18 animals

No reliable data for: Horses, Guinea pigs, Hamsters, Rats, Mice, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Parrots (macaws, Amazons, African greys…), Budgerigars (budgies), Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Finches, Pigeons & doves, Tortoises, Bearded dragons, Iguanas, Goats, Chickens & other poultry

No supported claim has been collected for these animals. Not listed does not mean safe; do not infer suitability from another species.

Toxic principles

ASPCA, as published: Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme Source

Clinical signs

ASPCA, as published: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth , tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing Source

Merck Veterinary Manual says (verbatim)

Calcium oxalate crystals and unknown toxic proteins (possibly asparagine or protoanemonin) in all parts, including sap. On ingestion, immediate intense pain, burning, and inflammation of mouth and throat, anorexia, vomiting, and possibly diarrhea, with tongue extended, head shaking, excessive salivation, and dyspnea. Immediate pain limits amount consumed. Death infrequent.

Merck Veterinary Manual — Houseplants and Ornamentals Toxic to Animals

Full source excerpt

Calcium oxalate crystals and unknown toxic proteins (possibly asparagine or protoanemonin) in all parts, including sap. On ingestion, immediate intense pain, burning, and inflammation of mouth and throat, anorexia, vomiting, and possibly diarrhea, with tongue extended, head shaking, excessive salivation, and dyspnea. Immediate pain limits amount consumed. Death infrequent.

Last verified (ASPCA record): 2026-10-26. Source access dates and limitations.

Similar plants (same family)

Shared family is not a shared verdict. Check each plant separately.