Is Poinsettia Toxic to Cats?

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Poinsettia's reputation as lethal comes from a single 1919 case story, not from modern evidence. Its milky sap contains diterpenes that irritate skin and mouth, and a cat that eats a lot will vomit and drool.

That does not mean it is safe — just that a nibbled leaf is not a death sentence. The practical risk at Christmas is the dropped leaves and the sap on a cat's coat.

Which parts are dangerous

• sap
• leaves

What to watch for in the UK

• Sold everywhere from November — the classic Christmas plant.
• Leaves drop as it dies back in January, onto the floor.
• Sap on the stems marks furniture and transfers to fur.
• Wash your hands after handling and keep it out of reach of a chewer.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. A leaf: wipe the mouth, watch for vomiting.
2. A lot of plant material: phone your vet for advice.
3. Rinse sap off the coat rather than letting the cat groom it off.

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).