Is Christmas Rose toxic to cats?

Yes — christmas rose is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA lists Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) directly as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Toxic principles include bufadienolides, glycosides, veratrin, and protoanemonin; ingestion causes drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, colic, and depression.

ASPCA lists Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) directly as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Toxic principles include bufadienolides, glycosides, veratrin, and protoanemonin; ingestion causes drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, colic, and depression. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to christmas rose.

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Christmas Rose is toxic to dogs as well. See the full christmas rose pet-safety guide for both species.

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.