Question of the week: Is the poinsettia plant toxic to animals?

One of the things we associate with this holiday season is the appearance of the colorful poinsettia plant. A commonly held belief that gets a lot of play around the holiday season is that the poinsettia is poisonous to animals. As it turns out, this is not true at all. It’s not clear how this misconception came about or what has kept the myth alive.

Even the esteemed Mayo Clinic has conducted studies showing that these red-leafed plants pose no fatal or public health threat. There is in fact no substantial evidence that points to poinsettias being dangerous to pets (or humans for that matter).

There are plenty of other substances around this holiday season that cause more harm to dogs and cats (chocolate for instance). With all the distractions that the holidays bring, try to keep your pets from ingesting things that aren’t part of their regular diet such as table scraps.

Christmas weekend and New Years Eve weekend we will be open during our regular hours. If your pets needs medical attention and our clinic is closed you may call the PET EMERGENCY TREATMENT SERVICE in Berkeley at 510-548-6684.

Lauren Marie

Dr. Pierson and his nurses are incredible: super helpful, thoughtful and give the extended attention that is needed to make your pet (and you) feel at ease!

Bob Hernandez

Can’t say enough good things about the folks that work here. Always have had good experiences and are so glad we found them.

David Zee

I have frequented Campus Veterinary Clinic for a little over four years now. I have only positive things to say about them. The reception staff are attentive, warm, and efficient. The nurses are kind and do everything they can to make your beloved pet comfortable. The doctors are knowledgeable, comprehensive with their examination, and always communicate well with you. They avoid over prescribing medication as well. My cat once had surgery here and she was very well taken care of, and they proactively followed up on her recovery. A+.