Plants are a beautiful, traditional way to celebrate the holidays.
However, some of the plants associated with Christmas are dangerous to our furry friends. If you have a pet and are planning to use live plants to decorate for the holidays, it’s important to know which plants are toxic to pets and how to keep your pets safe.
Holiday plants that are dangerous for pets
Mistletoe
According to the Pet Poison Helpline the American and European variety of mistletoe are not good for animals. Although both types can cause issues for pets, the European variety is the most toxic.
Signs that your pet has ingested mistletoe includes drooling, vomiting and diarrhea which is all caused from the polysaccharides, alkaloids and lectins in the berries on the mistletoe. If a large amount of berries are eaten there can be more serious side effects such as an abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure, ataxia, seizures, collapse and even death.
Holly
The English, Japanese and Chinese varieties of holly have toxic saponins, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.
English holly is the traditional plant used for Christmas decorating. Signs an animal has eaten holly includes vomiting and diarrhea.
Poinsettia
Arguably the most popular Christmas plant besides actual Christmas trees, poinsettias can be found in many houses during the holiday season. These plants are often used to decorate for holiday parties and grace entryways and are often given as gifts.
Contrary to myths, which are hypothesized to have started over a hundred years ago after a child was found dead next to a poinsettia, they are not deadly.
According to the National Capital Poison Center, poinsettias can cause some issues like vomiting, nausea and diarrhea when eaten by pets, but it will not kill them. Some pets may also experience skin irritation if they brush up against the plant.
Amaryllis
The ASPCA states that Amaryllis plants are toxic to dogs, cats and horses because they have lycorine. When ingested, Amaryllis can cause animals to have vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, tremors and depression.
What to do if your pet eats any of these plants
If you even suspect your pet has eaten any parts of these holiday plants, immediately seek veterinary assistance and contact either of these hotlines:
- ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline: 888-426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661
Tips for keeping pets away from dangerous plants
If you are planning on having any of the listed plants in your home and have pets, it is imperative that you take precautions to keep them away from your animals.
Keep your plants in rooms your pets are not allowed in or place them high up in areas they don’t go, such as on the kitchen table. Consider using the plants as decorations for your front porch as opposed to inside with your pets.
Make sure that even if the plants are out of reach that no debris like leaves or petals fall on the floor where a curious critter can find them.
Place the numbers for the previously listed pet poison hotlines somewhere you can immediately access, like on the fridge, just in case of an accident.
Pet safe holiday plants
Rosemary and Christmas Cactuses are both non-toxic holiday plant options for those with pets who find a way to get into everything.
Rosemary is often shaped to look like a mini Christmas tree for the holiday season. Christmas cactuses add a pop of color with their bright pinkish-red flowers in bloom. Both are safe and festive options for households with pets.
If preventative measures are taken and you are observant of your pet, your holiday plants and pets can safely coexist together.