The Christmas holidays are the most beautiful time of the year, even if it’s not always safe for our 4-legged friends. Between fireworks, barrels and bright stars, there is also another danger for pets: the poinsettia is poisonous to cats.
The beautiful plant with red flowers, typical of the Christmas period, can represent a risk for the house cat. Here’s everything you need to know about this Christmas plant that is toxic to our four-legged friends.
Poinsettia and cats: but why are they attracted to them?
The cat is often drawn to the beauty of this colorful flower, especially since it is one indoor plant and therefore calls his attention more during the day.
In addition, everything that is forbidden for the feline becomes a trophy to be conquered and the fact that it is pushed away several times when it wanders around it to look around makes it a Christmas star in its eyes even more interesting.
Is poinsettia poisonous to cats?
The problem between poinsettia and cats is that inside the trunk and branches the plant is composed of a milky substance rich in euphorbons, alkaloids and triterpenes which are irritating to the skin and toxic to dogs and cats, in case of contact and ingestion.
Therefore, the fact should not be underestimated that the feline could have various problems if, for fun or out of curiosity, it eats a flower or a leaf of the poinsettia, even if it is rare for the cat to ignore its instinct which is usually keeps him out of harm’s way like this.
Be careful, however, to avoid this eventuality.
Poinsettia and cats: the symptoms given by the toxic plant
If the cat has ingested the poinsettia or has come into contact with it, the ensuing intoxication has obvious symptoms such as:
- conjunctivitis and eye irritation;
- tearing;
- dermatitis;
- swelling of the muzzle;
- swelling of the tongue;
- irritation of the mucous membranes of the digestive system (gastrointestinal);
- diarrhea;
- nausea / vomiting;
- tremor;
- dehydration.
What to do if the cat eats the poinsettia?
As with any other type of poisoning it is good to avoid any do-it-yourself remedy e go to your vet. Fortunately, the poinsettia is not so poisonous to cats that it can cause death or serious injury.
Your doctor will surely take steps to avoid it dehydration of the animalin the event of vomiting and diarrhea, and will administer the right therapy based on the specific case.
Don’t be too alarmed, but to be safe prevent the cat from playing with the plant and any home care that is not recommended or prescribed by a doctor.