Why Kalanchoe is Toxic
Kalanchoe species are common succulent houseplants known for their colorful flowers.
All parts of the plant contain bufadiolide cardiac glycosides, which affect heart muscle contraction.
Ingestion can lead to both gastrointestinal and cardiac toxicity, with cardiac effects being potentially life-threatening.
Why speed matters
Delaying care significantly worsens outcomes. Some signs appear hours or days later, so "looks fine right now" is not a reason to wait.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Drooling and oral irritation
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness and lethargy
- Irregular heartbeat or bradycardia
- Collapse in severe cases
What to do right now
- Contact your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.
- Do not induce vomiting without professional guidance.
- Collect a sample of the plant for identification.
- Monitor your pet's heart rate and breathing if safe to do so.
- Seek emergency veterinary care, as cardiac monitoring may be required.
If your pet shows any of the signs above, go to the nearest emergency vet now and call ahead.
The step-by-step response, from the first minute to the vet visit, is in our Kalanchoe Poisoning in Dogs and Cats emergency guide.