Poinsettias and Cats

I've always kept my cats away from poinsettias fearing the worst, however I've come to learn that the threat of the 'deadly' poinsettias to cats is really just a myth. The toxins in poinsettias are mild. To give you an idea of how non-toxic poinsettias are, it is said that a child weighing 50 pounds would have to consume over 600 poinsettias to become ill...doses of poinsettias 'toxins' given in a controlled experiment apparently capped off at 600 and failed to prove toxicity._{^{Source: ASPCA}}

According to the Animal Poison Control Center by the ASPCA, cats will become mildly (to moderately) ill if they ingest poinsettias. Cats can experience gastrointestinal irritation including the symptoms of drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms experienced are not dangerous and can be treated at home by giving your cat milk or water to settle the stomach upset. While your cat won't die from eating poinsettia leaves, you should still keep them out of reach.

According to the ASPCA, the legend of the deadly poinsettias stems from the death of a young child in the early 20th century after allegedly eating a poinsettia leaf. But poinsettia's aren't all that toxic.

Plants That Are Deadly to Cats

Although poinsettias aren't toxic to cats, there are household plants and flowers that are highly toxic. These plants that are dangerous to cats include the tiger, Asian, Japanese sow, Casablanca and stargazers. Even the smallest amount of eating these flowers can lead to liver failure in cats.

If your cat becomes ill after ingesting a dangerous substance or if you are unsure if a plant your cat ate was toxic, contact your vet or call the ASPCA hotline at 1-(888)-426-4435.

^{Source: ASPCA}

Even though poinsettias are not deadly, you'll still want to deter your cat from chewing on the leaves. Some cats do not like the feel of aluminum foil under their paws. Try placing your plant on a decorative (red and green maybe) aluminum foil and see if it works. If not (my cat loves tin foil) you can try using a cat deterrent spray. There are products that give off a scent that can't don't like, spray the area around the plant. If your cat is persistent, you may have to arm yourself with a spray bottle or water gun.