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If you own cats or dogs, it’s wise to learn which plants are poisonous to them. One of these you might be curious about is the poinsettia. Often adorning homes and buildings with its vibrant red foliage and rich greenery, this easy-care plant was brought to the United States by Joel Robert Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. It became popular and the plant was named after Poinsett. Some believe that the poinsettia’s flowers and leaves represent the star of Bethlehem, which is one reason it has become a popular plant around Christmas.
The last thing you want is to worry if this lovely plant is harmful to your pets. Fortunately, this article will take care of that so you can decorate your home without worrying about your pet getting poisoned!
Are poinsettias poisonous to dogs or cats?
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Poinsettias are not poisonous to dogs or cats. However, they are slightly toxic when ingested. Most experts agree that poinsettias pose no real danger to cats or dogs, at least not fatally. The key is to understand the key difference between toxic and toxic. If it’s poisonous, it’s usually fatal, even in small amounts. However, the toxicity of substances varies.
Symptoms in Dogs and Cats Who Eat Poinsettias
Poinsettia ingestion by pets can produce mild to severe symptoms, even though they are not fatal. If your cat or dog eats a poinsettia, you may notice some of the following symptoms:
Its milky sap may cause mild irritation if it gets on your pet’s skin or eyes. If your pet likes to eat plants, it’s best to keep poinsettias out of their reach.
Is it safe to keep poinsettias around pets?
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It is safe to keep poinsettias around your pet, provided you keep them out of your pet’s reach.Poinsettias don’t have much toxicity, especially when compared to other members Euphorbiaceae
To put this in perspective, an 8-year-old would have to eat hundreds of leaves to build up dangerous levels of toxins in their system. Although a few leaves may upset your pet’s stomach, large quantities of leaves must be ingested for a pet to be poisonous.
What to do if your pet eats a poinsettia
Unless symptoms persist, it is unlikely that your cat or dog will need to go to the clinic after ingesting or being exposed to poinsettia.
Here are some home remedies you can try for poinsettia pet ingestion:
- Rinse mouth if there is visible plant debris.
- Avoid making your pet vomit, as this could irritate or further injure them.
- A few hours after your pet vomited for the last time, see if they can eat a small, bland meal.
- If your pet regurgitates a lot of water after drinking, you can help by limiting the amount of water they consume at one time.
Who should you contact if you think your pet has been poisoned?
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Fortunately, if your pet eats a small poinsettia plant, medical attention is usually not needed. However, pet owners worried about their cat or dog can always take their pet to the doctor or veterinary hospital.
The ASPCA Poison Control or the Pet Poison Helpline can also provide expert guidance for a fee.
Last but not least, try to keep poinsettias out of reach of curious pets; it will be better for them and your poinsettia in the long run.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
