Plant
Poinsettia
Usually not needed; call a vet if vomiting persists.
MildDogsCats
Illustrative cover using relevant category imagery; it does not depict the exact subject.
What to do right now
- 1.Wipe sap from the mouth and offer fresh water
- 2.Move the plant out of reach
- 3.Phone your vet if drooling or vomiting persists
Symptoms
- Mild drooling
- Mouth irritation
- Occasional vomiting
Details
- Category
- Plant
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Species affected
- Dogs, Cats
- Routes of exposure
- Chewing leaves; the milky sap irritates mouth and stomach.
- Urgency
- Usually not needed; call a vet if vomiting persists.
Veterinary notes and prevention
Its reputation is worse than the reality, but lilies at the same season are genuinely deadly to cats.
Prepare the information your vet needs
- For Poinsettia, report the exposure route: Chewing leaves; the milky sap irritates mouth and stomach. Tell the clinic the time, possible amount and your pet's species and approximate weight.
- Photograph the packaging, ingredient list or plant if safe. Do not handle contaminated material without protection or delay the call to identify it perfectly.
- Keep other animals away from the source. An animal may appear normal before signs develop; do not wait for symptoms or calculate a home 'safe dose'.
- Follow the clinic's transport instructions. Do not give food, medicines or home remedies unless instructed, and take packaging with you if available.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Sources on this topic
Pages on this specific subject from recognised organisations. They are cited for further reading and do not mean the organisation has reviewed this page.
- Poinsettia: toxicity to pets — Pet Poison Helpline
- Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Poinsettia — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.