What to Do If My Dog Eats a Poinsettia?

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: November 30th, 2024

Gryllus M/Shutterstock

Dogs are curious by nature, and their love for exploring the world often involves nibbling on things they shouldn’t. During the holiday season, this curiosity can spell trouble – especially with festive decorations like poinsettias. Known for their vibrant red and green leaves, poinsettias are a holiday favorite, but many dog owners worry about their safety around these plants. The good news? While poinsettias have a reputation for being toxic to dogs, the reality is far less alarming.

Are Poinsettias Dangerous to Dogs?

Poinsettias contain a milky white sap that can cause mild irritation if ingested or if it comes into contact with a dog’s skin or eyes. This sap contains compounds called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents, which are mildly irritating but not highly toxic. Severe poisoning from poinsettias is extremely rare, and most cases result in only mild, self-resolving symptoms.

Symptoms of Poinsettia Ingestion

If your dog nibbles on a poinsettia, you may notice:

Drooling: The sap can irritate the mouth and cause discomfort.
Vomiting or Diarrhea: Mild gastrointestinal upset is common.
Pawing at the Mouth: A sign of irritation or discomfort from the sap.

Severe symptoms, such as lethargy or persistent vomiting, are very rare and typically occur only if a large quantity of the plant has been consumed.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats a Poinsettia

Before anything else, it’s imperative to stay calm. Panicking won’t help your pet. In most cases, poinsettia ingestion results in mild symptoms that require little to no intervention. But, if you catch your dog in the act, gently remove any poinsettia leaves from their mouth and move the plant out of reach.

Keep an eye on your dog for signs of discomfort like vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. Offer plenty of fresh water to help flush their system. Even though most cases don’t require veterinary attention, you should contact your vet if:

Your dog consumes a large amount of poinsettia.
They display severe symptoms like persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or extreme lethargy.
They have pre-existing health issues that could complicate the situation.

Preventing Poinsettia Mishaps

The best way to keep your dog safe is to prevent access to poinsettias altogether. Place the plant out of reach, or use a protective barrier such as a dog gate if needed.

By being proactive, you can enjoy your holiday decorations without worrying about your pet’s safety. Poinsettias may not be as dangerous as their reputation suggests, but a little caution goes a long way. With some simple precautions, you and your dog can enjoy a happy, stress-free holiday season.

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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What To Do If My Dog Licks or Eats a Toad?

Dogs are curious creatures – as a result, every time your pooch is outside, they will use any opportunity to explore and roam. This wouldn’t be such a bad thing, of course, if they weren’t using their mouths and noses to do all the exploring. This is the way they get around the world, and they will often nibble or lick things that could be dangerous for them. This includes toads, which are common in many areas. While some species of toads are harmless, others can be toxic to dogs. As a caring owner, you should know how to respond quickly and properly, as it can make a big difference for your pet. What To Do If My Dog Licks or Eats a Toad?First, it is essential to know why exactly toads are dangerous to dogs. There are certain toad species, such as the Colorado River Toad (Incilius Alvarius) and the Cane Toad or Bufo Toad (Rhinella Marina), that secrete toxins from their skin and they can cause severe reactions in pets.

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What to Do If Your Dog Eats Halloween Candy?

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Moving to a new home is a big deal - a fresh start, new surroundings, and, let’s be honest, a whole lot of chaos. While it might be exciting for you, it can be pretty overwhelming for your pet.Animals are creatures of habit. They rely on familiar routines and safe spaces, so when everything around them suddenly changes, it’s normal for them to feel stressed, anxious, or even act out. But with a little planning, patience, and love, you can help your pet feel at home in their new space - and even enjoy the adventure along the way.Here’s how to make the transition easier for them (and for you).Start Preparing Before the MoveThe adjustment process doesn’t start on moving day - it starts before the first box is packed.Try to:Stick to your pet’s usual routine for feeding, walks, and play. Familiarity = comfort.Keep their things where they are for as long as possible. Bedding, toys, and bowls should be the last things you pack.Introduce travel crates or carriers early. If your pet isn’t used to one, give them time to explore and get comfortable with it beforehand. Add a favorite blanket or treat to create positive associations.The more you can maintain normalcy in the lead-up to the move, the better your pet will handle the changes ahead.

Here's How to Prepare Your Pets for Hurricane Season

The Atlantic hurricane season is almost upon us, and forecasts warn we’ll likely see more storms than average. The storm season officially starts on June 1 and lasts till November 30, but storms may also occur before or after these dates.Last year’s hurricane season has devastated communities with flooding, mudslides, and wind, causing billions of dollars in damage and leaving thousands of people without a home. According to the American Veterinary Association, 45.5% of U.S. households own at least one dog, and 32.1% have at least one cat. An estimated 89.7 million dogs and 73.8 million cats are kept as pets in the United States, and all of them face the same risks during the hurricane season as their owners. The United States Department of Homeland Security has created a website to help people prepare for natural disasters and emergencies. There you can find a list of items people should have prepared in case of an emergency. A basic disaster supply kit should contain food, water, flashlights, cash, personal hygiene items, cell phone chargers, and prescription medication, among other things. But what about our dogs and cats? Is there any way to include them in your family’s emergency plan, and if you have to evacuate, can they be taken to safety as well?“Sometimes it’s much more challenging to get certain things when you’re in a hurry,” said Sarah Cortright, a Southern California-based small animal veterinarian. Packing a pet’s vaccination records, medication, food, and other necessities is much harder when trying to escape a deadly storm. It’s essential to have all these things prepared. Make sure you have at least two weeks' worth of your pet’s prescription medication in case you are forced to stay away from home for an extended period. Remember that veterinary offices may also stay closed because of severe weather, making it impossible to refill prescriptions quickly or obtain your pet’s vaccination or medical records.“Coming out of L.A. fires, we saw a lot of pets that needed medications, and they had no documentation,” making it difficult for veterinarians to refill scripts, explained Cortright. She advises keeping a copy of your pet’s medical and vaccination records digitally and on paper.“Even if it’s just a picture of the records on your phone, that’s enough,” she said, adding that animals may be separated from their families and boarded in separate facilities, for which they’ll need proof of vaccination. If you haven’t microchipped your pet yet, make sure to do so before the hurricane season. Keep your contact information up to date. In case you lose your pet during the storm, a microchip can help reunite you with your four-legged companion.Cortright suggests packing a carrier for each cat and a small dog, and a leash or a harness for medium and large-sized pooches. Pack as much food and water for your pets as you can carry, as well as food and water bowls. If possible, take their bedding and a couple of toys as well. Bring some litter for cats so they have a place to relieve themselves, and waste bags for dogs.Take recent photos of your pets to help with identification in case they get lost, and make sure they have ID tags and collars. Make a plan that includes a pet-friendly place to stay and copies of documentation to ensure all your pets stay safe. “Have extras of things set aside and ready to go,” suggested Cortright. “Just like you would for humans.” No one ever thinks they’ll end up caught in a storm. But planning before the hurricane season starts will make things a lot easier for you and your pet. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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