Is Bird-of Paradise Bush poisonous to dogs and cats?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Call a vet today

Bird-of Paradise Bush is poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of it. The leaves are listed as the poisonous part.

  • Dogs Call a vet today
  • Cats Call a vet today

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note which plant, which part, how much and when.
  3. Take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.
  4. Remove what is left and move the plant out of reach.
  5. Keep your pet calm.

Don't

  • Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Bird-of-Paradise Bush is listed as a problem for cats and dogs, with possible oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing and incoordination.[1]

Signs to watch for

  • Oral irritation
  • Burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips
  • Excessive drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Possible loss of coordination
Scientific name
Erythrostemon
Poisonous parts
leaves
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

Get it on Google Play

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

Is Bird-of Paradise Bush dangerous for cats too?

Yes. It is listed as a problem for cats and dogs.[1]

What signs may occur after a pet chews it?

Possible signs include oral irritation, burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing and possible loss of coordination.[1]

Sources

  1. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

Other poisonous plants