Based on data from the Pet Poison Helpline, nearly 10% of their calls from pet owners were for possible cat poisonings. Be attentive to signs that your pet may have eaten the plant, including diarrhea, vomiting and excessive salivation. This sap substance leaks out when Scrappy chews on the plant, and he'll probably ingest a small amount. My Dog / cat ate Poinsettia. What Happens if Your Cat Eats a Poinsettia Leaf. A poinsettia doesn’t go around secreting this latex just for fun. Luckily, this plant has a very low risk of toxicity! If your cat eats poinsettia leaves, you may notice that she starts drooling or even vomiting. New plants indoors and outdoors are tempting for our pets and many will ingest the leaves. <<< If your kitty ate just a leaf, I wouldn't be too concerned, but would watch him/her closely. My Cat / Dog Ate Poinsettia . The idea that poinsettias are poisonous dates back almost a century, when an urban legend claimed a toddler died after eating a leaf from one of these plants. You may also like to reference this number for the future: My cat ate the tiniest piece of a hyacinth leaf earlier today was was found unresponsive later on tonight. There are more toxic holiday plants for dogs - here is a list. Symptoms of poinsettia exposure may include: Drooling; Lip-smacking; Nausea; Vomiting; Can poinsettia kill a cat? My cat ate a whole poinsettia plant Friday and he's still napping? Poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, are very common plants during the winter holiday season. Although the daffodil is considered one of the most popular spring flowers, parts of the daffodil are toxic to kids. I looked it up and google told me that poinsettias are “mildly toxic”. The truth is, a kid would have to eat about 500 poinsettia leaves to get sick. - Poinsettias are considered to be very low in toxicity. Poinsettia; If you’re not sure that a plant is toxic, take a picture or grab a sample of it so that someone can identify it for you. That plant is poisonous to animals. Skin contact with the sap of a poinsettia plant can cause a rash. The animal can suffer a slight poisoning, but it can be complicated if it suffers an allergic reaction. Since the 20th century, poinsettias have become popular Christmas decorations throughout North America. Yes, your cat will likely get an upset stomach if he munches down on the leaves, but it won't cause any permanent harm. Recently, my 16 year old cat chewed a poinsettia leaf, though I doubt she swallowed any; she suffered no ill effects. If you have any serious concerns, call your veterinarian. The rumor that poinsettia plants are harmful for children and pets can be traced back to an incident in 1919, wherein a military officer’s child died due to poisoning and the death was wrongly believed to be caused due to poinsettia leaf poisoning. But according to Pet Poison Helpline and the ASPCA, these colorful plants, which are native to Mexico, aren’t that lethal. However, they could cause mild vomiting or nausea if ingested by your pet. The toxicity of poinsettia is overrated and it is extremely unlikely to kill a cat. However, if Tigger snacks on your poinsettia leaves, you can help him by picking up his food and water dishes for a couple of hours to let his stomach settle. The milky sap of poinsettias can cause irritation of the mouth and digestive tract. What to do if your cat or dog ate poinsettia. Keep your cat confined in a safe environment for close monitoring. Let's be clear: your dog would likely have to devour almost your entire plant to be in any danger. That’s because my own sister’s cat (that I gave her) died of acute kidney failure secondary to getting into dangerous Asiatic lilies from a bouquet several years ago. Poinsettias and Your Dog. Although frequently accused of being poisonous, poinsettias are only mildly irritating to the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract of cats and dogs. Inspect medications and chemicals. If you have a dog or cat around the house, you may be worried about their safety around poinsettias. Mechanism of action: The milky white sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents. She’s healthy generally and gets regular checkups. poinsettia mildly toxic to dogs and cats Poinsettias are originally from Mexico and are famous for reaching their beautiful red full bloom in December. Alexadry, I am totally with you, as a vet tech, we get those calls ''my cat ate poinsettia'' a lot near the holidays. Though they have a bad rap, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) plants are only mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Don't panic. If you see your cat eating a plant and you are uncertain if it is poisonous, or if you even suspect that your cat ate such a plant, do the following before you take him to your veterinarian: Remove any plant material from your cat’s hair, skin and mouth if you can do so safely. Poinsettias have been tested so intensively, they are the most tested plant on earth. The poinsettia plant’s brightly colored leaves contain a sap that is irritating to the tissues of the mouth and esophagus. The leaves of poinsettias contain natural chemicals in the form of milky white sap. If a cat eats enough poinsettia leaves, they can develop serious kidney damage or even kidney failure. Sources: During the holidays, Poinsettias are a popular Christmas plant. In most cases, poinsettia exposure causes only discomfort, including: A mild, itchy rash. He'll be okay. If you suspect or know for sure that your pet ate poinsettia leaves, we must be careful. The ASPCA lists the toxic property of poinsettias are d iterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents which can irritate the skin, mouth and gastrointestinal tract.