Can Dogs Eat Taro? What to Do if Your Dog Eats Taro

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a tropical herbaceous plant from the Araceae family, along with the malanga and eddo roots. Originating from Southeast Asia, taro plants feature elephant ear-shaped leaves and produce edible corms, a food staple in the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean.

It is safe for humans to consume taro, but it must get cooked first as the plant contains a compound that can cause oral irritation when consumed raw. Cooked taro corms have a sweet and nutty flavor comparable to a sweet potato or yam. Smaller taro corms with a purple tint are often sweeter than their larger, paler counterparts. Varieties of taro are common in puddings, breads, and poi (a Hawaiian dish). Taro has a nutritional profile that includes carbohydrates, dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.

Dogs should never consume any part of a cooked or raw taro plant. From its leaves to its meaty roots, the entire plant is toxic to dogs because it contains calcium oxalate, a chemical that is poisonous to pets. Additionally, taro leaves release raphides—clusters of needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals—that can puncture your pet’s soft tissues.

Instead of feeding taro to your dog, consider incorporating other dog-safe fruits and vegetables—like blueberries or carrots—into their diet in moderation. Dog food adequately fulfills your canine companion’s nutritional needs, so they shouldn’t need to consume much human food.

Many of the health issues related to canine taro consumption have to do with the presence of insoluble calcium oxalates that don’t break down in their systems. Here are some other health issues associated with canine taro consumption:

1. 1. Difficulty breathing and swallowing: In rare cases, a dog’s upper airways will swell after eating taro, causing trouble breathing or swallowing.
2. 2. Gastrointestinal obstruction: Dogs can experience a gastrointestinal obstruction whenever they consume too much of any human food or eat something they shouldn’t, like taro.
3. 3. Kidney damage: Calcium oxalate crystals are the most common cause of kidney stones in humans. Likewise, they can also cause kidney stones and organ damage in dogs.
4. 4. Upset digestive system: Eating taro can irritate a dog’s fragile digestive system and cause vomiting or diarrhea.

If your dog eats taro, the severity of the side effects will vary depending on different factors, from the amount consumed to their size. Follow these steps if your dog eats taro ice cream, taro chips, taro root, or any food containing taro:

1. 1. Look for evidence. If you’re unsure if your canine companion consumed taro, look around to determine what happened. Seek out torn packaging, a mess, or any remaining taro for clues to how much they consumed. This information will help veterinarians assess the situation.
2. 2. Call a poison control helpline or your vet. Call your veterinarian without hesitation if you suspect that your dog has eaten taro. They’ll be able to give you immediate advice and guide your next steps. The ASPCA Animal Control Center Helpline and the Pet Poison Helpline are also good resources.
3. 3. Monitor for symptoms of taro poisoning. Symptoms of taro poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, eye irritation, burned skin, dehydration, and seizures. You may see even see your dog pawing at their eyes or mouth.
4. 4. Visit the vet. If your dog experiences any adverse effects or signs of an allergic reaction (like itching or pawing at the mouth), seek veterinary care. Vets may induce vomiting with activated charcoal and administer fluids to flush out their kidneys. They may prescribe medication and keep your dog overnight for observation.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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