Poinsettia

Yes, poinsettias are considered potentially toxic to cats. The milky sap can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and occasional diarrhea — however, the danger is often overstated; the irritation is generally mild and rarely life-threatening.

A cat that chews or ingests poinsettia will likely show drooling, lip-licking, mild vomiting, and possibly diarrhea from the sap's irritating effects. Sap on the skin can cause redness or itchiness, and if sap contacts the eyes, mild conjunctivitis may develop. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to hours and are usually self-limiting, resolving within about 24 hours.

Wipe any sap residue from your cat's mouth and skin with a damp cloth, and flush the eyes with water or saline if sap got near them. Offer fresh water and let the GI upset settle — per Pet Poison Helpline, signs are usually self-limiting and don't require treatment unless severe. If vomiting or diarrhea persists beyond 24 hours or your cat refuses food and water, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Yes — the milky white sap (latex) found throughout the plant is the source of irritation. It causes a localized inflammatory reaction on contact with the mouth, skin, or eyes, which is what produces the drooling, vomiting, and occasional skin redness. The toxicity is considered mild compared to many other holiday plants.

Yes, poinsettia is considered potentially toxic to dogs, though its danger is often overstated. The milky sap can cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting — but symptoms are typically mild and self-limiting, not the severe poisoning many owners fear.

The most common signs are drooling, lip-licking, and pawing at the mouth from sap contact, sometimes followed by a single episode of mild vomiting or loose stool. Skin that touched the sap may develop a red, itchy patch on the muzzle or paws. Severe systemic effects are not expected from typical household exposures.

Oral irritation and vomiting typically appear within an hour of chewing the plant and generally resolve within a day with rest and water. Exact timing isn't formally documented in the ASPCA listing, but recovery is usually quick for small household ingestions.

Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues past a few hours, your dog refuses food or water, the eyes or mouth look swollen, or a small or very young dog ate a noticeable amount. For any ingestion concern, ASPCA Animal Poison Control is available 24/7 at (888) 426-4435.