Schefflera

Yes, Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola) is toxic to cats. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Onset is within seconds — look for sudden drooling, pawing at the face, head shaking, and lip-smacking. Vomiting and refusal to eat usually follow. In rare cases, visible swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat can occur, which is a sign to seek emergency care immediately.

Wipe out your cat's mouth with a damp cloth to remove plant material, then offer a small amount of milk or yogurt — the calcium helps bind the oxalate crystals and ease the burn. Do not induce vomiting. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away, and seek emergency care if you see any swelling around the mouth or throat or labored breathing.

Most cats show visible improvement within a few hours and return to normal within 24–48 hours with supportive care. However, because cats can hide oral pain and stop drinking — which leads to dehydration — a same-day call to your vet is appropriate even for mild symptoms.

Yes, Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola) is toxic to dogs. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, pawing at the mouth, and difficulty swallowing upon ingestion.

Symptoms begin within seconds of biting — the needle-like calcium oxalate crystals pierce soft tissue immediately. Expect sudden foamy drooling, pawing at the muzzle, lip-licking, and head shaking, followed by vomiting and reluctance to eat. Most dogs improve within a few hours, and appetite typically returns within 24 hours in uncomplicated cases.

Wipe your dog's mouth with a damp cloth to remove plant fragments, then offer a small amount of milk or yogurt to help bind the oxalate crystals and reduce the burning sensation. Do not induce vomiting. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Seek immediate care if you notice any swelling around the mouth or throat, changes in breathing, or repeated vomiting.

Schefflera ingestion typically causes immediate discomfort rather than life-threatening illness — the calcium oxalate crystals irritate but rarely cause systemic toxicity. However, the rare-but-serious signs to watch for are visible mouth or throat swelling and any change in breathing or bark, which warrant emergency veterinary attention.