What to know if your pet eats poinsettias, and if they're poisonous
The holiday season is upon us, and many Canadians are decorating their homes with poinsettias. But is it dangerous if a pet sneaks a nibble or two?
Don’t freak out. Though it may have a bad reputation, this holiday plant is not highly toxic.
“There is a mild danger for pets,” said Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, while speaking with Daily Hive.
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“I suspect that someone wanted to stress the importance of keeping pets away from poinsettias and went a little overboard,” she added, speaking to the severity of poinsettias.
If a pet does ingest some of the plant’s milky sap, it may result in skin or gastrointestinal irritation, including vomiting or not eating.
Schmid says there is no need to rush animals to the vet if they chomp down on the plant.
“Keeping them at home is ideal. If they develop persistent vomiting or diarrhea, they should be taken to a doctor of veterinary medicine. Usually, a pet might vomit on their own once or twice and then not have any other issues.”
Schmid adds that there are plenty of other things pet owners should be mindful of over the holiday season. It is recommended that pet owners be aware of medications from visiting guests, chocolate, any food product that may contain xylitol for dogs, and electrical cords like Christmas tree lights.
So there you have it. If your cat or dog decides to treat themselves to a little bit of poinsettia, monitor for any symptoms and get back to enjoying some holiday cheer; they should be fine.
While we are on the topic of the holidays, check out these 20 enchanting destinations to celebrate Christmas in Canada, and one small city in Alberta was even crowned a top place to spend Christmas in the country.
This article was originally published in November 2021Ā