Are Poinsettias Toxic to Cats and Dogs? Only Mildly, and Here's What to Watch For
Poinsettias are only mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The milky sap irritates the mouth and stomach, so a pet that chews the leaves may drool, lick its lips or vomit, and usually recovers on its own without treatment. They are not the deadly plant their reputation suggests. That said, a mildly toxic plant is still worth keeping out of reach, and there are other Christmas plants, especially lilies, that are far more dangerous. Here's what to watch for, what to do, and how to keep a poinsettia looking good through the season.
How toxic poinsettias actually are
The sap of the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) contains compounds that irritate skin and the lining of the mouth and gut. Pet Poison Helpline rates poinsettias as only mildly toxic to cats and dogs, and says signs are usually self-limiting.
If a pet chews one, the usual signs are:
- Drooling or licking lips
- Pawing at the mouth
- Vomiting, sometimes
- Diarrhoea, rarely
- Redness or itching on the skin, or mild eye irritation, if the sap gets on them
That's typically the extent of it. The bitter taste and mouth irritation usually stop a pet after a bite or two, so they rarely eat enough to cause more than an upset stomach.
Where the deadly myth came from
The poinsettia's poisonous reputation is usually traced to an unverified story from 1919 about a child who died after eating a leaf. It was never confirmed, but it stuck. Later studies of tens of thousands of poinsettia exposures reported to US poison control centres found no deaths and, in most cases, no symptoms needing treatment.
So the plant is a nuisance for pets, not a danger. The myth is unhelpful in one way: people worry about the poinsettia and overlook the holiday plants that really are dangerous. Our page on Christmas plants that are toxic to pets covers those.
What to do if your pet chews a poinsettia
- Take the plant away and wipe any sap off your pet's mouth and fur with a damp cloth.
- Offer water or a little food to help settle the mouth.
- Watch for a few hours. Mild drooling or a single vomit is expected and usually passes.
- Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea keeps going, your pet stops eating or drinking, seems lethargic, or ate a large amount. Very young, old or small pets deserve a lower threshold.
If you're not sure what plant it was, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435. Planted can identify a plant from a photo, which helps you give the right name on the phone.
Keeping a poinsettia alive through Christmas
Most poinsettias die from cold or overwatering, not old age.
- Light: bright, indirect light. A spot near a window but not touching the glass.
- Temperature: they hate cold. Keep them above about 60°F and away from cold draughts, doors and windows. A poinsettia carried home from the store in freezing air can drop its leaves within days, so wrap it for the trip.
- Water: water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch, then let it drain. Remove the decorative foil wrap or poke holes in it, because water pooling in the foil rots the roots. Our guide to overwatering vs underwatering shows the signs.
- Heat: keep it away from radiators and heating vents, which dry it out.
Getting a poinsettia to turn red again next year is possible but fussy: like a Christmas cactus, it needs long nights of total darkness for several weeks in the autumn.
Common questions
Are poinsettias poisonous to cats?
Only mildly. The sap can cause drooling, mouth irritation and vomiting, which usually pass without treatment. Poinsettias are not deadly to cats.
Are poinsettias poisonous to dogs?
Mildly. Dogs that chew one may drool or vomit, but serious illness is rare. Call your vet if symptoms continue or your dog ate a lot.
What Christmas plant is most dangerous to cats?
Lilies. Any part of a true lily, including the pollen and vase water, can cause kidney failure in cats. Lilies are common in holiday bouquets and are an emergency if a cat touches them.
Are poinsettias poisonous to children?
They can cause mouth irritation and an upset stomach if eaten, but poison control data shows serious poisoning is very rare. Call poison control if you're concerned.