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 felines, and there is one that we usually have in every house at Christmas: the poinsettia.
The poinsettia or poinsettia It is a very popular seasonal plant at Christmas but it can cause us a lot of problems if we have a cat or dog at home.
Is poinsettia toxic to my pet?
The entire Poinsettia plant is toxic to felines. 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 plant that could cause poisoning in 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 is stained with the sap or if the leaves come into contact with the eyes, they could cause a mild reaction, less than that of ingestion.
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 poinsettias?
If you suspect that your pet has eaten poinsettia leaves, it is possible that it suffers from mild poisoningbut it could be complicated if you suffer an allergic reaction that, in the most serious cases, could cause 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 vomiting it will reduce the symptoms. The vet could induce vomiting 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 wash the area with plenty of waterand to avoid dehydration, give your pet water to drink.
We will never give medicine to our pet on our own, it is better go to the vet so that he can give a diagnosis and tell us what is best for our furry companion and can offer him appropriate treatment.
Photos | Mark Stebnicki, Pixabay
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