We know that there are many plants that are not suitable for cats. Lilies, azaleas or daffodils are some of the plants that can be toxic to cats, and there is one that we usually have in every house at Christmas: poinsettia.
The poinsettia or poinsettia It is a very popular seasonal plant at Christmas but it can bring us many problems if we have a cat or a dog at home.
Is poinsettia toxic to my pet?
The entire Poinsettia plant is toxic to cats. The leaves and stems are toxic not only if the cat eats it, but also if it has direct contact through the eyes or skin. It is not a lethal plant, but a a plant that could cause poisoning to our cat according to the Glòries Veterinary Hospital.
Ingesting the leaves can irritate the mouth, gums, stomach, and esophagus, causing vomiting. As for the skin, if it gets stained with the sap or if the leaves come into contact with the eyes, they could cause a mild reaction, less than that of ingesting it.
It is also toxic in dogs, and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, fatigue, dehydration or tremors, among other symptoms.
What do I do if my cat or dog eats poinsettia?
If you suspect that your pet has eaten poinsettia leaves, it is possible that it suffers a slight intoxicationbut it could be complicated if you suffer an allergic reaction which in the most severe cases, could lead to anaphylactic shock.
If the cat or dog has eaten poinsettia leaves, the first thing to do is allow your pet to vomit. It is the leaf that causes the reaction, so throwing it up will reduce the symptoms. The vet could make him vomit clinically, but at home it is better that we do not do it to avoid causing more damage.
If the poisoning has occurred through sap that has come into contact with the skin or eyes, it is important to wash the area with plenty of water, and to avoid dehydration, give your pet water to drink.
We will never give our pet medicine on our own, it is better to go to the vet so that he can diagnose and tell us what is best for our furry companion and can offer him adequate treatment.
Photos | Kenta Kikuchi Y dim hou in Unsplash