If an animal has eaten this plant, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is (888) 426-4435, as printed on the record this page reproduces. A consultation fee may apply.
This page quotes a published document. Everything below in quotation marks is copied word for word from ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Bird of Paradise, published by ASPCA APCC and retrieved on 2026-09-16. The quotations are excerpts; the document itself is linked and is the authority. Nothing has been reworded.
According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center record, Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii, family Leguminosae) is toxic to dogs and cats. Toxic principles: possibly hydrocyanic acid. Clinical signs listed: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing and incoordination is possible. Deaths in rabbits have been reported. The record was retrieved on 2026-09-16 and is linked below.
The record
- Scientific name
- Caesalpinia gilliesii
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Additional common names
- Peacock Flower, Barbados Pride, Poinciana, Pride of Barbados
- Toxicity
- Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats
- Toxic principles
- possibly hydrocyanic acid
- Clinical signs
- Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing and incoordination is possible. Deaths in rabbits have been reported.
Where this comes from
This is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center record for Bird of Paradise, at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/bird-paradise, retrieved on 2026-09-16. The fields above are the record’s own, shown without change. The ASPCA keeps the record current; the page here is a copy from that date.
This page is information, not a prescription. The right dose for an animal depends on its weight, its age, what else it is taking and what is wrong with it. Those are judgements only the veterinarian who has examined your animal can make. Ring your practice before giving anything.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Bird of ParadiseASPCA APCC · retrieved 2026-09-16
“Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing and incoordination is possible. Deaths in rabbits have been reported.” (Clinical Signs)
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