Ezina · A Field Manual for Plant Care · United States Vol. I · Ed. 2027 · Proof copy

§ Toxic plants · Araceae · Checked Oct 2026

Is eastern skunk cabbage toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4.

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Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Daniel Atha, via iNaturalist

§ 010 · Signs

What to watch for

Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Signs can start within hours; some take a day or more to show.

§ 020 · If it happened

What to do if your pet ate it

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline straight away, even if your pet seems fine: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours and charge a fee. Have the plant or a photo of it to hand, and don’t make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.

§ 030 · Same family

Other Araceae plants toxic to pets

Eastern skunk cabbage belongs to the Araceae family. ASPCA lists these relatives too.

§ 040 · Questions

Questions about eastern skunk cabbage and pets

Is eastern skunk cabbage toxic to cats?

Yes. ASPCA lists eastern skunk cabbage as toxic to cats.

Is eastern skunk cabbage toxic to dogs?

Yes. ASPCA lists eastern skunk cabbage as toxic to dogs.

What happens if my pet eats eastern skunk cabbage?

Signs include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Plant Smart rates it Mild, level 1 of 4.

What should I do if my pet ate it?

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, even before signs appear: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both charge a fee. Have the plant, or a photo of it, to hand.

What else is eastern skunk cabbage called?

Eastern skunk cabbage is also sold or known as Japanese skunk cabbage.

Changes

5 Oct 2026: page drafted.

Sources

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.

Plant Smart: Plant Smart: plants toxic to pets.

Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Daniel Atha, via iNaturalist, source.

Checked Oct 2026.