Is Christmas Rose Toxic to Cats?

Helleborus niger

Hellebores contain protoanemonin and cardiac glycosides. Eating the leaves or flowers causes drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea, and larger amounts can affect the heart.

They flower from December to February, when the garden is otherwise bare and a cat has fewer things to investigate.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• flowers
• roots
• sap

What to watch for in the UK

• Winter borders and Christmas-flowering pots.
• Sap irritates human skin — wear gloves when cutting.
• Fallen leaves and flowers stay toxic on the ground.
• Do not confuse with the safe Christmas cactus.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet if a significant amount was chewed.
2. Wash sap off paws and hands.
3. Watch for drooling and vomiting.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).