Q. Are poinsettias really poisonous for your pets?
A. The belief that poinsettias are toxic to pets has been perpetuated for years, but the truth is that the plant’s reputation has been blown out of proportion.
While the milky substance in poinsettia leaves can be slightly irritating to an animal if eaten, causing drooling or vomiting, the plant isn’t deadly.
“The warning about poinsettias being poisonous is a highly exaggerated rumor,” says Sandra Sawchuk, a veterinarian at UW-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
Office of Strategic Communication