Barbados Pride

Yes, Barbados Pride (Poinciana gilliesii) is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion can cause significant gastrointestinal upset, and the ASPCA lists it as a plant that warrants immediate veterinary attention — not a wait-and-see situation.

Cats can experience intense burning of the mouth, tongue, and lips within minutes of contact, followed by excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and difficulty swallowing. Watch for pawing at the mouth, repeated swallowing, hiding, or refusing to eat — these are early signs of oral discomfort. Incoordination has also been reported.

Gently rinse your cat's mouth with cool water if she will tolerate it, and remove any visible plant material. Do not induce vomiting at home. Call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away — do not wait for symptoms to worsen before seeking help.

Oral irritation can begin within minutes of contact; gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhea typically follow within hours. Specific recovery duration is not detailed in the ASPCA's listing, and because deaths have been reported in other species, mild initial symptoms should not be assumed to stay mild.

Yes, Barbados Pride (Poinciana gilliesii) is potentially toxic to dogs. The plant contains compounds that irritate the digestive tract, and the ASPCA lists it as harmful — seedpods in particular should be treated as a meaningful exposure rather than a harmless taste.

The ASPCA reports intense burning of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, and possible incoordination. Lethargy and loss of appetite may also follow. Larger ingestions tend to produce more pronounced signs, and symptoms typically begin within minutes to a few hours.

Wipe out your dog's mouth with a damp cloth and offer fresh water if they can swallow comfortably. Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home — Pet Poison Helpline advises against hydrogen peroxide or other home antidotes without speaking to a professional first. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian immediately, even before symptoms appear.

Seedpods carry a higher concern and should be treated as a meaningful exposure even if your dog only chewed on one. Any ingested plant material can cause irritation to the digestive tract, but the ASPCA's guidance specifically calls out seedpods as a reason to call poison control right away rather than waiting for signs to escalate.