7 Festive Plants Toxic To Your Pets
Thanksgiving is behind us and the decorating has begun. Did you know there are many festive plants that are actually quite toxic to your pets if ingested? “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” says anyone who doesn’t have to deal with unexpected emergency veterinary visits!
While many times these plants are assumed to be lethal, typically most of these plants listed are toxic to your pets and will cause symptoms like gastrointestinal irritation like vomiting and diarrhea among other symptoms. Make no mistake anything can become very serious if your pet ingests a large quantity of a toxic substance. We’ve compiled a list of 7 Holiday plants to be aware of when it comes to keeping your pets safe and healthy for the Holidays.
Plants That Cause Issues For Your Pets
Amaryllis
The Amaryllis is a beautiful flowering plant, but it is also equally just as toxic to your pets particularly the bulb of this plant. It is sometimes called “the Belladonna” or “Saint Joseph Lily” to name a few. This plant contains Lycorine as well as other noxious substances that can cause vomiting and other gastrointestinal issues, lethargy, and tremors in both dogs and cats. As much as it is a beautiful addition to your holiday decor, for pet owners, it’s definitely one that could be skipped to ensure the safety of your animals.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a popular decoration that is used around the holidays, both at Christmas and even New Years’ festivities. Ingestion of its leaves or berries can cause a host of health issues for your pets. Mistletoe contains toxins such as ovalbumin and pharatoxin viscumin (Lectins, Phoratoxins). These toxins can cause severe gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting, cardiovascular issues (low blood pressure or low heart rate), and neurological complications like collapsing and other unusual behaviors. If you decide to decorate with Mistletoe, be careful where you place it, and be sure to monitor your pet’s whereabouts to ensure their safety.
Balsam
A fresh Christmas tree certainly brings a certain nostalgia to the season and most pine trees are typically not toxic to your pets, however, the Balsam fir is one that can cause some gastrointestinal complications in both dogs and cats in particular if they ingest the pine needles. While they’d probably have to consume a large number of pine needles to experience severe toxic reactions, the pine needles can upset the gastrointestinal tract and cause issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and overall discomfort. Again, monitoring your pets during the season and making sure they are put in an area away from decorations when you leave the home will help in preventing emergencies and toxic reactions.
Cedar
Cedar trees have a wide variety of species some of which can be toxic to cats. In North America, there are specifically 5 genera and about 26 species of cedar trees most of which are Juniperus and Thudra genera. The toxic substances in Cedar trees and more specifically in the cedar wood are phenols and terpenes. The level of toxicity would depend on the type of Cedar and also how much was ingested at the time. Eastern red cedar trees are highly toxic in both their berries and leaves and also their bark. Western red cedar trees are only mildly toxic. If you have Cedar trees planted in your yard, make sure you know what the type is. If you notice your cat displaying symptoms like vomiting, dehydration, loss of balance, loss of appetite, or hypersalivation seek emergency care immediately.
Holly
Holly is an indoor and outdoor plant this time of year. There is a soap-like chemical on this plant called saponins and are what make this plant very toxic to your pets. The stem of this plant has the highest toxicity rate and the leaves and berries would be slightly less toxic. Nonetheless, this plant is not one you want your furry friends to ingest and will cause issues like gastrointestinal issues in the form of diarrhea, vomiting, among other issues like depression and lethargy. Pay close attention out on walks and keep an indoor holly plant out of reach to be on the safe side.
Pine
Pine itself isn’t necessarily toxic, but pine needles can cause a whole host of issues for your pet. If ingested Pine needles can puncture or severely irritate the lining of your pet’s stomach. While the pine needles may not cause fatality, they can certainly send you to the emergency vet.
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are the plant that most people have awareness of when it comes to being toxic to a pet. However, did you know that of all of this list they are actually the least toxic? This doesn’t mean that you’d want your pet to ingest any part of the poinsettia as they definitely will experience gastrointestinal issues. The sap of this plant is actually the most toxic and will cause issues like vomiting and diarrhea and oral irritation.
What to Do if You Suspect Your Pet Has Ingested a Toxic Plant
If you suspect your pet has gotten into something toxic and they are exhibiting symptoms like the ones listed above, be prepared to act as quickly as possible. Be aware of what plants or trees your pets are around on a regular basis and be selective about the plants you decide to use for holiday decoration. Be sure to have the numbers of your primary veterinarian and a local emergency veterinary hospital on your phone and also make sure your dog sitter has all the information as well. If you live in the Raleigh/Durham area, Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital is 24/7 Emergency Veterinary Care and you can contact us by calling (919)-489-0615.
The ASPCA Poison Control (1-888-426-4435) and the Pet Poison Hotline (1-800-213-6680) are good resources to have stored in your phone or written down somewhere in your home.
Also, for a printable shortlist of these Holiday plants that can be toxic to your pet, click this infographic below.
