Bird of Paradise

Yes, Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is considered potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion typically causes mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness.

The documented signs are nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. A normally alert cat going quiet and lethargic after chewing on the plant — especially the flower or seeds — is the typical picture. Most cases stay mild.

Monitor your cat closely for vomiting, nausea, and unusual drowsiness, which can appear within a few hours. Call your vet if vomiting occurs more than once or twice or your cat seems unsteady. If seeds were ingested, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately, as seeds may carry greater risk and warrant direct triage.

Seed ingestion is specifically flagged as a reason to call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) to triage severity, suggesting seeds pose a higher concern than leaves or flowers. The overall toxicity is documented as mild to moderate GI upset, but the exact risk difference between plant parts is not fully characterized in the available data.

Yes, Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is potentially toxic to dogs. It contains compounds that cause gastrointestinal distress, and the ASPCA documents oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia as known effects.

Oral irritation can begin within minutes of chewing, with vomiting and diarrhea typically appearing within a few hours. You may also notice drooling, mouth pawing, or head shaking shortly after ingestion. Most exposures stay limited to the digestive tract and mild cases usually resolve within 24 hours with supportive care.

Remove your dog from the plant and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Seek immediate help if your dog ate any seeds or fruit. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or lethargy over the next several hours, and call your vet right away if GI symptoms persist more than a few hours or your dog refuses food and water.

Yes — seeds and fruit are specifically flagged as higher concern. The when-to-call guidance explicitly recommends calling a vet right away if seeds or fruit were eaten, as opposed to a leaf or flower chew, which more typically causes milder, self-limiting GI upset.