Holiday Danger for Pets

With the holidays just around the corner, many of our homes will be decorated with beautiful festive Poinsettias, Mistletoe, Holly, and Lilies. The festive season brings many joys, but it might also bring danger to cats and dogs. Our gorgeous display of holiday plants is all too tempting to play with (or eat), and many are toxic to pets.

Before bringing anything into the home, it is important to know which holiday plants are poisonous to dogs and cats. Some are not as toxic as people believe, but others pose a severe risk to pet health.

Here is a list of the top 5 toxic holiday plants for pets:

• Poinsettia leaves produce a sap that can irritate a dog’s or cat’s mouth. If ingested, the animal may experience nausea or vomiting. The pet would need to consume a significant amount to cause serious reactions.

• Holly & Mistletoe can be quite poisonous to pets. Holly leaves and berries can cause vomiting, drooling, and abdominal pain. Mistletoe can cause more severe reactions such as a drop in blood pressure and heart rate, seizures, and even death.

• Amaryllis is a plant that is as dangerous as it is beautiful. The bulb is more threatening than the leaves and flowers. If consumed, the animal may experience drooling, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The toxins in Amaryllis can slow breathing and cause a drop in blood pressure.

• Lilies are frequently used as floral arrangements. Although not toxic to dogs, lilies can be toxic to cats. Symptoms may include, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and even cardiac failure.

If any of these beautiful botanicals make it indoors, be sure to keep them away from your pet’s reach. Maybe give preference to the less toxic plants, such as the poinsettia and Christmas cactus. That way, everyone can enjoy the holidays, even dogs and cats.

If you think a pet has ingested a toxic plant, call your veterinarian and/or contact the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.