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: Pencil Cactus, 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, Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli, family Euphorbiaceae) is toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Toxic principles: Irritant Sap (latex). Clinical signs listed: Irritating to the mouth and stomach, sometimes causing vomiting, but generally over-rated in toxicity. The record was retrieved on 2026-09-16 and is linked below.
The record
- Scientific name
- Euphorbia tirucalli
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Additional common names
- Sticks of Fire
- Toxicity
- Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
- Toxic principles
- Irritant Sap (latex)
- Clinical signs
- Irritating to the mouth and stomach, sometimes causing vomiting, but generally over-rated in toxicity.
Where this comes from
This is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center record for Pencil Cactus, at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/pencil-cactus, 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: Pencil CactusASPCA APCC · retrieved 2026-09-16
“Irritating to the mouth and stomach, sometimes causing vomiting, but generally over-rated in toxicity.” (Clinical Signs)
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