Is Poinsettia & spurges poisonous to dogs and cats?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 3 sources

Based on: US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine, Pet Poison Helpline, NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Call a vet today

Poinsettia & spurges are poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of them. The plant’s milky sap contains irritants that can affect the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, skin and eyes.

  • Dogs Call a vet today
  • Cats Call a vet today
What to do now

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. Remove what is left and move the plant out of reach.
  4. Take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.
  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

The milky sap in Euphorbia plants can irritate the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, skin and eyes after exposure.[2] Poinsettias may cause drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.[1]

Signs to watch for

  • drooling
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • skin irritation
Scientific name
Euphorbia
Poisonous parts
sap/juice, leaves, roots, stems, flowers, fruits, seeds, bark

What the experts say

“When you display (or dispose of) these plants, your cat or dog may decide they’re good to eat. Take poinsettias, which can irritate your pet’s mouth and stomach and may cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.”

— US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine [1]

“Euphorbia species plants may cause irritation to the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and eyes following exposure. This is largely due to the milky sap within the plant that contains numerous irritants.”

— Pet Poison Helpline [2]
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.

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Common questions

Which part can irritate a pet?

The milky sap in the plant contains irritants.[2]

Can cats be affected too?

Yes. Poinsettias and Euphorbia plants are listed as a problem for cats.[2][3]

What signs may occur?

Drooling, vomiting and diarrhea may occur after poinsettia exposure; Euphorbia species may also cause skin irritation.[1][2]

Sources

  1. US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine
  2. Pet Poison Helpline
  3. 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

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