Filling your home with beautiful holiday plants certainly helps put you in the festive spirit, but it could also potentially put your dog or cat in the hospital. Many popular holiday plants are toxic to pets, so it’s important to be careful when choosing which ones you include in your seasonal displays.
Ten Toxic Plants for Pets to Avoid This Holiday Season
Before you start to deck the halls with boughs of holly, keep in mind that the holly could pose risks for your furry friend. And holly isn’t the only toxic plant you need to watch out for during the holidays.
Even if you avoid decorating with plants or stick to artificial florals, it’s still wise to be cautious. Holiday plants are a popular gift during the season, and you may end up with one in your home despite your precautions.
Plus, if you take your pet with you for some holiday shopping or a walk in the park, these places often decorate with plants that could be toxic to your pet. Therefore, check out this list to learn more about ten popular holiday plants that are hazardous for dogs and cats.
Yew
All parts of Yew plants are extremely poisonous to dogs and cats, including the needles, seeds, and bark. This evergreen even has the nickname “the tree of death.” Ingesting any of the parts can cause serious health consequences or death, so consider it a veterinary emergency if your pet gets a hold of this plant.
Lilies
True lilies, such as Day Lilies, Tiger Lilies, Easter Lilies, and Japanese Show (just to name a few), are often used in many holiday floral arrangements. These lovely flowers look and smell wonderful, but if your pet takes a bite, it’s bad news.
Every part of the flower, including the petals, stem, pollen, etc., is toxic for pets, and ingesting them could lead to major problems, like acute kidney damage. Lilies are particularly harmful to cats, potentially having deadly consequences.
Amaryliis
The Amaryllis is distinctive because of its bold, trumpet shape. The flowering bulb is a favorite in Christmas bouquets, but don’t let its beauty fool you. Every part of these flowers is harmful to dogs and cats, particularly the bulbs.
Several components make Amaryllis toxic to pets, but the primary cause is the presence of Lycorine, which can cause a range of symptoms. Pets could experience anything from vomiting and diarrhea to severe issues with their central nervous systems.
Autumn Crocus
These pretty goblet-shaped flowers are usually purple, pink, or white and related to lilies. They are unsafe for dogs and cats, primarily due to the compound colchicine, which is highly toxic even in small amounts.
Eating parts of the plant could lead to severe poisoning that may not show up for days. Therefore, if you think your pet may have been exposed to Autumn Crocus, seek veterinary help immediately, even if your pet isn’t showing any symptoms of distress.
Mistletoe
Stealing a smooch underneath the mistletoe sounds like a romantic way to spend Christmas, but this holiday sprig is dangerous for dogs and cats. Mistletoe contains highly toxic chemicals that are harmful to the heart and could cause low blood pressure and gastrointestinal upset.
Holly
Holly is such a popular part of the holidays that there are even songs about it. The green bushes often feature clusters of bright red berries, giving them an extra festive touch. Both the leaves and berries contain saponins, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Be especially wary of holly bushes that are dropping berries. Even if your pet avoids the bushes, it’s easy for pets to ingest berries off the ground, mistaking them for treats.
Real Christmas Trees (Pine)
Real Christmas trees look beautiful and smell divine, but they pose a ton of holiday hazards to pets. Many types of pine are toxic, leading to gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, and even death.
Plus, ingesting the needles also leads to problems like blockages, choking, and injuries to the mouth and throat. Therefore, if you’re going to opt for the real thing this year, make sure to pet-proof your tree for a happy holiday.
Ivy
Ivy contains harmful compounds like triterpenoid saponins and calcium oxalates. Ingesting ivy can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and skin contact can lead to irritation. Various types of ivy (English, Boston, and ground ivy, for example) are toxic to dogs and cats, so be mindful.
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are one of the most popular plants when it comes to the holidays, likely because of their bright red leaves. These flowers are mildly toxic to dogs and cats, so use caution if you decide to use them in your decorating.
The harmful part of the poinsettia is its sap. If your pet ingests the sap in large quantities, it could lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other problems. The plant could also cause skin irritation.
Christmas Cactus
The Christmas Cactus comes in last on this list because, while it’s not toxic to pets, it still poses several issues. Since the plant is a popular gift during the holidays, it’s essential to know the risks it holds for your dog or cat.
A little nibble could lead to tummy upset or diarrhea. Also, if the cactus has pesticides on it, these could be toxic to your pet. Therefore, if you receive one of these beauties during the holidays, keep it out of your pet’s reach.
Symptoms to Watch For If Your Pet Ingests a Holiday Plant
Some of the most common signs of poisoning or irritation in pets are:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Appetite loss
- Pawing at the mouth
- Tremors
- Heart rate changes
- Coordination loss
- Respiratory distress
Signs of poisoning sometimes show up immediately, but in some cases, your dog or cat may not show any symptoms for hours. Therefore, any time you suspect your pet may have eaten or come in contact with a poisonous substance, it's critical to act quickly.
What To Do If Your Pet Eats a Toxic Holiday Plant
- Remain calm to avoid stressing your pet or making the situation more intense.
- Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to do so by the vet.
- Take notes about what plant your pet ate, how much, and the approximate time. Your vet will want this information.
- Remove any remaining bits of the plant from your pet's mouth if you can do so safely and without pushing it further into the throat.
- Call your vet or a pet poison hotline immediately. Common numbers are the ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) and the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).
8 Tips for Pet-Friendly Holidays When It Comes to Plants
Don't let this list of toxic holiday plants make you think decorating with florals and greenery is off limits. You just need to stay aware.
- Look for non-toxic alternatives, like camellias, orchids, Boston ferns, and rosemary (in moderation), or choose high-quality faux florals and garlands.
- Keep toxic varieties well out of reach of pets, especially if you have overly inquisitive fur babies or cats who love high places.
- Skip plants with real berries.
- Gently let friends and family know that you prefer to avoid certain holiday plants.
- Cover the tree water reservoir to deter thirsty pets.
- Clean up dropped needles swiftly and get rid of your tree once it starts to drop needles frequently.
- Scan outside before letting your pet roam, and make sure to keep your yard clean. Remove any potentially dangerous plant bits, berries, etc., that may have blown into your yard.
- When walking your pup in areas with holiday decorations, keep them on a leash to limit their access to potentially dangerous plants.
Keep Your Home and Your Pets Happy This Holiday With Safe Plant Choices
It's possible to have a beautifully festive home that's also safe for your pet. You just need the right information and a watchful eye.
By understanding which popular holiday plants are dangerous for pets, you’ll know what to avoid and which blooms get the go-ahead. Then, you can focus on creating a cozy, colorful, and pet-friendly home for the holidays.
For more helpful tips on spending a safe and happy holiday season with your fur babies, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog.