Poinsettia Leaves And Cats

New plants indoors and outdoors are tempting for our pets and many will ingest the leaves.

Poinsettia leaves and cats. Poinsettias are not very toxic to cats but the milky white sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents. If your little one eats a poinsettia leaf she may experience irritation in the form of throwing up and oral discomfort -- think lip licking. During the holidays poinsettias are a popular Christmas plant.

They would need to ingest a significant amount to cause a more serious reaction though. To become seriously ill your pet would have to chew hundreds of poinsettia leaves actually bracts a specialized leaf. The biggest danger is if the cat consumes a large enough quantity to cause a gastrointestinal blockage.

Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima is a flowering plant native to Mexico which is typically characterized by its green leaves red bracts and yellow flowers. Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima are very common plants during the winter holiday season. But as a pet owner youve admired them from a far worried that your dog or cat may gnaw on the.

If our pet only ingested a bite of the plant the adverse reaction is more than unlikely. If ingested these substances will cause digestive upset such as vomiting drooling or rarely diarrhea may be seen. Sap in poinsettia leaves is mildly toxic to pets and children and can cause vomiting diarrhea excessive drooling and nausea.

Ingesting poinsettia leaves can leak the. So weve established that if your cat were to eat Poinsettia leaf she wont die. If you caught your cat in the act of eating any part of a poinsettia let your vet know too.

The fable of poinsettias being an extremely poisonous plant began in 1919 in Hawaii when the young child of an army officer died after allegedly eating poinsettia leaves. Poinsettias are commonly recognized as a holiday plant with their beautiful crimson red leaves that scream Christmas cheer. If ingested your pet may experience nausea or vomiting.