Is Poinsettia poisonous to dogs or cats?

Poinsettia

  • Scientific Name: Euphorbia pulcherrima
  • Also Known As: Poinsettia, Christmas star
  • Is It Toxic? Yes
  • Toxins: Very little diterpene ester; considerable natural variability in milky sap
  • Symptoms: Dermal blistering can take a week to heal; no mention of oral route
  • Toxic Parts:
  • General:

If you have a pet that might ingest poinsettia, we’re here to help! This plant contains a toxin called Euphorbia pulcherrima diterpene ester, which can cause skin that is blistered and painful. This is because this compound can cause dermal blistering when your pet ingests poinsettia. As of now, however, there is no known toxicity in the oral route.

What is Poinsettia?

The common name is Poinsettia, or Christmas flower. Poinsettia is a fast-growing, herbaceous perennial plant that is native to Mexico. This is the source of the dried, cut, and variegated plant commonly grown during the holiday season.