Poinsettias are beautiful plants that we love to see around Christmas time. But if you have a cat, you might be wondering if it’s actually safe to have them in the house. Since cats are so good at jumping to higher levels and chewing on things that they shouldn’t, it’s a genuine concern.
The bad news is that the poinsettia can make your cat sick, but the good news is that it is not generally considered toxic.
We look at what happens if your cat does ingest poinsettia and the symptoms that you should be on the lookout for.
A Little Bit About Poinsettias
Image Credit: sandid, PixabayThe poinsettia is native to much of Central America and Mexico and thrives in moist, forested ravines and rocky hillsides. It gets its name from Joel R. Poinsett, an American minister to Mexico who made it a popular plant in the latter part of the 1820s.
This plant is famous for its vibrant red (and sometimes white) leaves. The tiny yellow buds are the flowers. They naturally bloom in December, so it’s not surprising that they are so popular at Christmas.
What Makes Poinsettias Dangerous?
The main issue with poinsettias is the sap. The sap is a milky-white color and contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters, along with steroids with saponin properties that have a detergent-like effect. Basically, the sap has latex properties.
The latex protects the plant by helping to conserve moisture, but it also repels insects and animals from eating it because it tastes bitter and is toxic in large quantities.
The sap can harm humans too, but it typically might only cause a skin rash (although anyone with a latex allergy should definitely steer clear). If eaten, it can cause a stomachache with the potential of nausea and diarrhea. Since cats are smaller, the effects might be more extreme.
How Are Poinsettias Dangerous for Cats?
Image Credit: Ysbrand Cosijn, ShutterstockAccording to the Pet Poison Helpline, the poinsettia is not overly dangerous for cats. The sap can cause tissue damage, so it’s common for the cat’s mouth and esophagus to become irritated after ingestion and for them to experience stomach upset.
The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but a cat would have to eat a large amount of the poinsettia to become seriously poisoned by it. This isn’t likely to happen due to the irritation to the mouth and the bitter taste.
Exposure to the skin is also not common, but it can irritate the skin or eyes if this occurs.
Symptoms of Poinsettia Ingestion
Symptoms if your cat has eaten part of a poinsettia are:
- Excess drooling
- Frequent licking of the lips
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If your cat ends up with sap on their skin:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Itchiness
Many of these signs might be more concentrated around the mouth. And if any ends up in a cat’s eye(s), it can lead to eye inflammation.
Treatment
Image Credit: karinrin, ShutterstockUsually, treatment is not required. As long as the symptoms are presenting as mild and you see that your cat is improving, you can take care of them at home.
If your cat is vomiting, you should remove all food but ensure that water is still available. Offer a small amount of your cat’s usual food when the vomiting seems to have subsided. If the vomiting doesn’t seem to get better and your cat can’t seem to keep even water down, see your vet or go to an emergency clinic immediately.
Be sure to relocate the poinsettia so your cat won’t go back for another snack.
Other Holiday Dangers
Beyond poinsettias, there are other holiday plant dangers to be aware of.
Lilies
The worst culprits by far are lilies. The Pet Poison Helpline advises that a cat that has ingested any part of a lily should be taken to a vet as soon as possible for emergency care. This could be one or two petals or leaves, the pollen, or even the water that the lilies have been placed in. The ingestion of any of these parts requires immediate attention.
It can lead to kidney failure, so if you own a cat, under no circumstances should you bring lilies into your home.
Holly
Unfortunately, while holly is a beautiful way to decorate your home for the holidays, the Pet Poison Helpline says that holly is also quite toxic for cats and dogs. It can cause severe gastrointestinal upset when ingested, and the symptoms include drooling, lip-smacking, and head shaking. This is due to the toxicity and the spiny leaves.
Image Credit: JosephMonter, PixabayMistletoe
Mistletoe is a poisonous traditional Christmas plant that is quite toxic for both cats and dogs. When eaten in small amounts, similar to the poinsettia, mild gastrointestinal upset will occur, but when it is consumed in large quantities, it is devastating.
It can lead to:
- Abnormal heart rate
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Ataxia (loss of balance)
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Death
If you believe that your cat has come into contact with any of these plants and is exhibiting worrisome symptoms, don’t hesitate. Bring your cat to your vet or emergency clinic immediately.
If the symptoms aren’t severe, keep an eye on your cat, and if you need advice, call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (note that there is a fee to call).
Related Read: Are Roses Toxic to Cats? What You Need to Know!
Conclusion
Poinsettias have long been considered quite toxic for pets, but the truth is that while they might cause illness, you can take care of your cat at home most of the time.
Even if poinsettias don’t turn into an emergency situation, you still won’t want to see your cat under stress. Don’t bring any plants that are known to make cats sick into your home, or be sure to put them in a place that you know that your cat can’t get to.
- Related read: Are Jade Plants Toxic To Cats? What You Need To Know!
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
Don't panic about poinsettias in your home this winter, but consider whether you can keep it out of reach of your curious pet before buying one.
With red and green being popular colors for holiday decorations in the United States, it's no wonder poinsettias stand out. Their sharp red flowers and merrily green leaves really pop in a season where white snow can overwhelm our senses and the scenery. Some of the plant's other names evoke the majesty and allure of its home in Central and South America: flame leaf flower, Crown of the Andes, Flower of Christmas Eve, and Flower of the Holy Night.
But a big question that owners of curious pets have every winter is, are poinsettias toxic to cats and dogs? Will a pet chewing on a flower or poinsettia plant need to visit the emergency veterinary hospital?
Probably not, says Renee Schmid, DVM, DABVT, DABT, a veterinarian toxicologist who works with Pet Poison Helpline.
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Poinsettias Are Only Mildly Toxic to Cats and Dogs
If your cat or dog loves to chew on plants or flowers around the house, it's best to keep poinsettias out of their reach. But Schmid says the plant is only mildly toxic to cats and dogs.
Poinsettias are sometimes "hyped" as terribly poisonous plants, but they rarely are. Signs of poisoning in cats or dogs may include:
Although there is no antidote for poinsettia poisoning, the relatively low toxicity means that medical treatment is rarely necessary unless the vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, or anorexia (inability to eat) are severe or long-lasting.
"This can usually be managed at home by removing access to the poinsettias and watching for gastrointestinal upset," Shmid says. "A pet may have an episode or two of vomiting and then be OK. If the vomiting or other signs continue or more signs develop, I recommend a trip to the veterinarian." Schmid says pet owners should watch out for a number of indoor and outdoor plants year-round. That especially includes yew, which can show up in holiday plant arrangements and is highly toxic to animals. Yew can cause heart problems in pets.
According to the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association (IVPA), poinsettias, along with mistletoe, holly berries, and pine needles can cause mouth irritation, gastric distress, and even death in pets depending on the quantity ingested. The IVPA recommends vacuuming loose needles around the Christmas tree often and keeping toxic plants off the floor and out of reach—or better yet, out of your home entirely.
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Pet-Safe Plants for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa
Cat and dog owners should keep poinsettias out of reach of pets. But are there other festive, more pet-friendly plants for decorating indoors, on porches, and in yards this holiday season? Yes. Consider these:
- Pine and other Christmas trees indoors don't pose a specific toxic hazard, but cats or dogs who nibble or eat any part of them may experience mouth irritation or stomach upset. Put up a gate and pet-proof your tree this year to keep them safer.
- American mistletoe is less toxic than European varieties but should still be out of reach of pets. Amaryllis is a popular holiday plant that is toxic for dogs and cats too!
- A Christmas cactus, Christmas orchid, Christmas dagger fern, or African violet might make a nice, brightly colored, non-toxic alternative to poinsettias around the holidays. Or you could always purchase faux greenery to decorate with!
- When decorating for Hanukkah, watch out for any kind of lilies, as those are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure or even death in cats. Instead, opt for a bouquet of blue or white orchids, roses, or a succulent arrangement.
- If you celebrate the holiday of Kwanzaa with a bounty of fruits and vegetables like bananas, oranges, or sweet potatoes on display, you can make sure they're safe for cats and dogs before putting them out.
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