Why it's dangerous
Ingestion of the plant causes direct irritation to the gastrointestinal tract and oral mucosa.
How vets treat it
No specific treatment or antidote is described for either plant. ASPCA groups the Strelitzia houseplant with plants that irritate the stomach and gut. For that group in general, the Merck Veterinary Manual describes supportive care: medicine against nausea and diarrhea, and a bland diet.
Outlook
For plants that irritate the stomach, the group ASPCA puts Strelitzia in, the Merck Veterinary Manual rates the outlook as excellent. Most animals recover within 24 to 48 hours, though those with an existing gut condition may need longer treatment. Merck's chapter does not name bird of paradise itself. For the Caesalpinia shrubs, we found no outcome data for dogs. The only deaths ASPCA mentions were in rabbits.
Where pets are exposed
- Bird of paradise is the common name for two unrelated groups of plants, and their risks differ. The scientific name on the plant label tells you which one you have.
- Strelitzia reginae, the common houseplant, also called bird of paradise flower, crane flower or bird's tongue flower. It has large leaves and a flower on top of a stalk that looks like a bird's head. It grows indoors and in pots, and outdoors in warm-climate gardens such as southern California and Florida. It is the milder of the two: ASPCA describes mild signs and says the fruit and seeds cause most of the problems.
- Caesalpinia gilliesii (also listed as Poinciana gilliesii), a shrub in the pea family sold as yellow bird of paradise, bird of paradise bush or poinciana. It is a popular landscape shrub in hot, dry regions such as the Arizona low desert. ASPCA says it is more toxic than Strelitzia: it can burn the mouth and cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and trouble swallowing.
- Caesalpinia pulcherrima, a related shrub called red bird of paradise, Barbados pride, peacock flower or dwarf poinciana. ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs and cats, with vomiting and diarrhea. Some common names, such as peacock flower, are used for both the yellow and the red shrub, so go by the scientific name.
- Seed pods and seeds under Caesalpinia shrubs, including the Mexican bird of paradise (Caesalpinia mexicana). The pods dry, split and can throw their seeds a surprising distance, so pets can find them on the ground. University of Arizona Extension says the ripe seeds of the yellow, red and Mexican shrubs are poisonous. We found no pet poison source for the Mexican one.
Prevention
- Keep the Strelitzia houseplant out of reach of pets. ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs and cats.
- On Caesalpinia shrubs, cut off spent flower stalks before the seed pods form, and clean up split pods and fallen seeds. The ripe seeds are poisonous.
- Write down both the common and scientific names of your plants. Bird of paradise covers unrelated plants with different risks, and the scientific name helps your vet.
- Kittens, bored cats and indoor-only cats are the most likely to chew houseplants, so keep potentially harmful plants out of homes with indoor cats.
Good to know
The plant is a tropical species that can grow up to four or five feet tall; the flower resembles a bird in flight.
Common questions
Is bird of paradise poisonous to dogs?
Yes, but how risky it is depends on which plant you have. The common houseplant (Strelitzia reginae) usually causes only mild stomach upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. The unrelated Caesalpinia shrubs, also sold as bird of paradise or poinciana, are described as more toxic: the yellow one can cause a painful, burning mouth, heavy drooling and trouble swallowing. Either way, call your vet or a pet poison line and say which plant it was.
Is bird of paradise toxic to cats?
ASPCA lists both the Strelitzia houseplant and the Caesalpinia shrubs as toxic to cats. For Strelitzia it lists mild signs: nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. For the yellow Caesalpinia it lists mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and trouble swallowing. We found no published cat cases, so call your vet if your cat has chewed either one.
How do I know which bird of paradise plant I have?
Check the label for the scientific name. Strelitzia reginae is the common houseplant, with large leaves and a flower on top of a stalk that looks like a bird's head. It is the milder one, and its fruit and seeds cause most of the problems. Caesalpinia gilliesii (yellow bird of paradise, also sold as poinciana) and Caesalpinia pulcherrima (red bird of paradise) are landscape shrubs in the pea family that grow flat seed pods. ASPCA says Caesalpinia gilliesii is more toxic than Strelitzia.
Which part of the bird of paradise plant is poisonous?
For Strelitzia, ASPCA says the fruit and seeds cause most of the problems. For the yellow Caesalpinia, Pet Poison Helpline says the leaves contain hydrocyanic acid (a cyanide compound) and the seeds and pods contain tannins, but we found no report of cyanide poisoning from this plant in dogs or cats. ASPCA lists tannins as a toxic principle of the red Caesalpinia. University of Arizona Extension says the ripe seeds of the yellow, red and Mexican Caesalpinia shrubs are poisonous.
My dog chewed a bird of paradise leaf. What should I do?
Move your dog away from the plant, then call your vet or a pet poison line and say which plant it was. The Strelitzia houseplant usually causes mild stomach upset. ASPCA considers the yellow Caesalpinia shrub more toxic, so get advice promptly, and go to a vet straight away if your dog drools heavily, has trouble swallowing or is wobbly.
Is the red bird of paradise toxic to dogs and cats?
Yes. ASPCA lists the red bird of paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) as toxic to dogs and cats, with vomiting and diarrhea, and University of Arizona Extension says its ripe seeds are poisonous. It is a shrub related to the yellow Caesalpinia, and unrelated to the Strelitzia houseplant. Some common names, such as peacock flower, are used for both the red and the yellow shrub, so check the scientific name.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Houseplants and Ornamentals Toxic to Animals
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Bird of Paradise Flower (Strelitzia reginae)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Peacock Flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
- Pet Poison Helpline — Bird of Paradise
- Pet Poison Helpline — Poinciana
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Bird of Paradise Shrubberies for the Low Desert (AZ1634, 2014)
- International Cat Care — Poisonous Plants
- Pet Poison Helpline
This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has been exposed to something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.
