Measles Plant Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 3,531 found this helpful

Acantha

The Measles Plant is confirmed non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per ASPCA toxicity assessments

Ingestion of large quantities may trigger mild, self-limiting vomiting and diarrhea in exposed animals

The specific toxic principles responsible for mild gastrointestinal symptoms remain unidentified per ASPCA data

FAQ

Is Measles Plant toxic to Humans?

No severe human toxicity documented; incidental ingestion may cause mild stomach cramping or loose stools (Non-toxic)

Is Measles Plant toxic to Cats?

No toxic effects confirmed; rare mild vomiting or diarrhea if large volumes are consumed (Non-toxic)

Is Measles Plant toxic to Dogs?

No toxic effects confirmed; rare mild vomiting or diarrhea if large volumes are consumed (Non-toxic)

Is Measles Plant toxic to Horses?

No toxic effects confirmed; rare mild loose stool if large volumes are consumed while grazing (Non-toxic)

Not sure which plant? Snap a photo to ID in 1 secondGet App

Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No severe human toxicity documented; incidental ingestion may cause mild stomach cramping or loose stools

Cats

Non-toxic

No toxic effects confirmed; rare mild vomiting or diarrhea if large volumes are consumed

Dogs

Non-toxic

No toxic effects confirmed; rare mild vomiting or diarrhea if large volumes are consumed

Horses

Non-toxic

No toxic effects confirmed; rare mild loose stool if large volumes are consumed while grazing

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo specific toxic plant parts identified; all plant matter is considered low-risk for severe adverse effects

Exposure RouteIngestion is the only confirmed exposure route linked to reported mild symptoms

Toxic CompoundsUnknown (no distinct toxic compounds have been isolated or confirmed to date per ASPCA data)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant fragments from the exposed animal’s mouth and rinse the oral cavity with clean, cool water
• Monitor the animal closely for 2 to 4 hours post-exposure for signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual lethargy
• Offer small, frequent sips of fresh water to reduce risk of dehydration if mild gastrointestinal signs appear

Contact Vet Immediately

• Vomiting or diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours after ingestion
• The animal exhibits severe abdominal pain, extreme lethargy, or loss of appetite post-exposure
• A very young, elderly, or immunocompromised animal ingests a large quantity of the plant

Prevention

• Place potted Measles Plants out of reach of teething puppies and kittens to avoid accidental over-ingestion
• Clearly label all household plants to prevent misidentification as toxic lookalike species
• Fence off large wild patches of the plant in grazing areas to reduce risk of mass consumption by horses

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care including anti-emetics and oral or subcutaneous fluids may be provided for persistent gastrointestinal symptoms
• No specific antidote is required, as life-threatening toxic reactions are not documented for this species
• Most affected animals fully recover within 1 to 2 days with basic symptom management

Emergency? Open PlantFun for real-time AI guidanceGet App

Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAcantha

AliasesPolka Dot Plant、Flamingo Plant、Baby’s Tears、Freckle Face

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tract (only affected if large quantities of the plant are ingested)

Mechanism of Action

• Toxic mechanism is not fully characterized; mild irritation of the gastrointestinal tract lining is suspected to cause reported symptoms

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Domestic Rabbit: No severe toxicity reported; ingestion of large quantities may cause soft stool or temporary diarrhea

Guinea Pig: Considered low-risk; incidental consumption of small amounts does not cause adverse effects

Pet Parrot: Small nibbles are safe for most parrot species; over-ingestion may lead to temporary digestive upset

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Caladium Caladium bicolor

Has similar spotted, variegated foliage; key difference is Caladium has much larger, thicker leaves and is highly toxic to pets due to calcium oxalate crystals

Dumb Cane Dieffenbachia seguine

Features comparable variegated leaf patterning; Dumb Cane has wider, more elongated leaves and contains toxic calcium oxalate crystals that cause severe oral and throat irritation

Use PlantFun to scan and avoid misidentificationGet App

Related Toxic Plants

Bear's Breeches

Acanthus mollis

Low toxicity; may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large amounts

Shrimp Plant

Justicia brandegeeana

Non-toxic; rare mild digestive upset reported only with mass ingestion

Mexican Petunia

Ruellia simplex

Low toxicity; may trigger mild vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats after over-ingestion

Download PlantFun App

Identify, grow and care for plants effectively!

Instant Plant ID

Take a photo to quickly identify plants.

Smart Care Reminders

Generate watering and care schedules.

Toxicity & Disease Diagnosis

Identify toxic plants and pests with treatment advice.

Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

View Full Plant Wiki