Is Petty Spurge Toxic to Cats?
Also known as: Radium Weed, Cancer Weed, Euphorbia peplus · Euphorbia peplus
What makes it toxic
An acrid milky latex containing irritant diterpene esters, which seeps from any broken stem or leaf. It chemically burns lips, tongue and eyes on contact and inflames the digestive tract when ingested.
Warning signs to watch for
Drooling, pawing at the mouth, redness and sometimes blistering of the lips, vomiting and diarrhea; skin or eye contact causes burning redness and watering.
What to do if your cat eats it
Rinse the mouth and any contacted skin or eye thoroughly with cool water, then call your vet. Eye exposure warrants immediate flushing and a prompt vet visit.
Common questions
Is petty spurge the same as the weed in my flower bed?
Very likely — it is a common garden weed that springs up in cracks and beds worldwide. Its pale green, oval leaves and white sap identify it; every broken part bleeds the irritant latex.
Why is it called radium weed?
Folk medicine used its sap on skin lesions, which earned it the nickname — the sap is genuinely caustic to tissue, which is the same reason it harms pets.
More plants checked for cats
This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.