Are poinsettias poisonous to dogs?

Updated 11/05/2023

Poinsettias: the elegant red flowers lots of us love to deck our halls with at Christmastime. But if you’ve got furry friends at home, you might be wondering - are poinsettias poisonous to dogs? Stay with us as we explore just that…

Are poinsettias poisonous to dogs?

Yes, poinsettias can be poisonous to dogs. While only mildly toxic, our canine companions shouldn’t be ingesting our household decorative flowers. If you’re worried your pup might have taken a chunk out of a poinsettia leaf, it’s not a cause for panic. Simply keep an eye on your pooch’s behaviors, any symptoms, and contact your vet if they persist.

Can dogs eat poinsettia?

No, your pup shouldn’t be nibbling on your poinsettia plant. But, according to the American Kennel Club, medical attention is rarely needed if they do. To be on the safe side, keep your poinsettia plant out of Fido’s reach, just in case they’re tempted to nab a leaf. Otherwise, if your pup is particularly stealthy and they do manage to reach a leaf, keep an eye on them for any of the symptoms below. It’s likely they’ll clear up on their own, but should they persist, be sure to make an appointment with your vet.

Poinsettia poisoning

As we’ve established, poinsettias and dogs don’t mix, but it’s nothing for pet parents to panic about. You might be wondering what it is about the poinsettias themselves that causes toxicity in dogs. Well the milky-white sap that the plant produces contains chemicals that can cause an irritant reaction in humans and our fluffy friends. It’s seriously unlikely that a small amount of this will poison your pup, but if large quantities are eaten, they might display some of the symptoms below.

Symptoms

If your pooch has eaten a small amount of your poinsettia plant, had a nibble on a leaf or licked a little from the center, it’s not very likely they’ll show these symptoms. If they do show any of these though, it’s likely they ate a fair amount of your plant! Like with any reactions, keep an eye on your pooch and contact your vet should any of the symptoms arise. Without any further ado, here are some of the possible symptoms of poinsettia poisoning in dogs.

• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Diarrhea 
• Anorexia (not eating)
• Lethargy

Rarely, eating large amounts of poinsettia can cause more severe symptoms such as a high temperature, bloody diarrhea and blood or mucus in the vomit. 

If the sap is leaked onto the skin or eyes, it can cause redness, irritation and itching, but these are mild and should self-resolve.

Diagnosis 

If you notice a few bite marks out of your decorative Christmas plant and you’re worried it was your pup, monitor them for a few days afterwards. Poinsettia is only very mildly poisonous, so it’s nothing to panic about or get the vet involved in, at least at first. Monitor your pup’s behavior and should any of the above symptoms develop, make an appointment with your vet.

Treatment

If your poor pup is experiencing extreme symptoms of poinsettia poisoning, there are a few things the vet might be able to do to relieve your pooch of their discomfort. Firstly, they’re likely to decontaminate your pup by washing them down and removing any speckles of poinsettia sap. If a large amount of plant has been eaten and your pup is showing adverse symptoms, your vet may advise an intravenous drip to provide hydration support, and medication such as anti-sickness drugs if they are vomiting a lot. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Lizzie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lizzie Youens BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011, and has been working in first opinion companion animal practice. She has worked in a variety of clinics across the UK, from large hospitals to small branch practices. She enjoys doing a mixture of medicine, surgery and emergency work. Lizzie currently works in a small rural practice where she enjoys working in a close-knit community. 

Other plants that are poisonous for dogs

Along with poinsettia, there are a fair few plants poisonous to dogs. Most of these are only mildly toxic, although symptoms can be more severe if large amounts are eaten. Potentially problematic plants include: 

• Holly
• Mistletoe
• Ivy
• Snowdrop