Six Holiday Plants that are Poisonous to Pets

Have you ever wondered if holiday plants are poisonous to pets? You’re not alone.  The Pet Poison Helpline receives many calls each holiday season regarding the toxicity of many holiday items around the home, including plants.  If you’ve worried about holiday plants being poisonous, you have not worried in vain. The very plants that are used in homes across the world to deck the halls and make merry during the holiday season can poison and even kill the family pet. Before you gift or bring home any holiday plants this year, make yourself aware of the potential dangers.  Failing to do so, can have serious and life threatening consequences.

Here are Six Holiday Plants that are Poisonous to Pets:

1. Christmas Tree

While there’s not a real significant risk of poisoning to your pets by having a Christmas tree in your home, it does pose a slight danger. If your pet eats the needles, some irritation can be expected, but not much otherwise.  Vomiting may occur if the needles are ingested, and even drooling, but that’s really the worse of it. In fact, your pet will be more likely to get poked in the eye or experience some skin irritation from the needles.

2. Poinsettia

The poinsettia is commonly regarded as highly toxic, but that is largely a myth.  Like the Christmas tree, the poinsettia can, at worse, cause irritation, vomiting and upset stomach.  Even if larger amounts are ingested, you don’t have to fear toxic results.

3. Mistletoe

On the other hand, mistletoe is a plant that is poisonous and cause some serious effects. In fact, this beautiful, popular holiday can result in changes in behavior, gastrointestinal upset, and severely lowered heart rate if ingested by your pet. Call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline if you have any suspicion that your pet got his paws on the mistletoe and ingested it.

4. Holly

Another decorative plant used during the holidays, holly is not only highly toxic to pets but for your kids as well. Reports have shown that a mere 20 holly berries can kill a child – imagine what ingesting those berries can do to your pets! Vomiting, diarrhea and low energy are all signs of holly ingestion and medical help should be sought immediately.

5. Amaryllis

If your pet ingests amaryllis, you can expect toxic results as well.  While your pet probably won’t die, he’ll be very uncomfortable and will need immediate medical attention.  You can expect vomiting, lethargy, gastrointestinal upset and in even tremors as a result of ingestion by your pet.  Amaryllis plant is closely related to the garlic plan, which is also highly toxic. Avoid both at all costs.

6. Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus is another holiday favorite that can be dangerous, but not toxic to your pets.  If ingested, irritation, gastrointestinal upset and vomiting can occur. You can also expect injury to your pets’ mouth and throat due to the sharp needles.

Other Dangerous Plants

Holiday plants are not the only plants you have to worry about either, there are many other plants that are just as toxic, if not more toxic than some of the holiday plants we have mentioned.

Lilies

Lilies are more commonly enjoyed in the spring, but the toxicity to casts, particularly should be noted.  If you receive lilies as a gift, you might want to re-gift that plant to someone else. Unfortunately, there is no cure from the effects of poisoning to your cats. Ingesting lilies could be life threatening to your cat. If you hope to save your cat’s life, immediate medical help must be sought.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are seen in summer and fall.  This entire plant is toxic to pets, particularly dogs.  Depression, loss of coordination, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset as well as vomiting and diarrhea can be noted in pets after ingestion.

Tulip

If ingested, your pet may experience cardiovascular problems as well as symptoms noting problems of the central nervous systems.  The toxins in the bulb also cause loss of appetite, gastrointestinal upset, drooling and convulsions if ingested.

Ivy

There are many plants in the ivy family, all of which cause toxic results if ingested.  English ivy, needlepoint ivy, Branching ivy, and Sweetheart ivy are all problematic. The toxin in all ivy plants cause abdominal pain, vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea.

Oleander

The oleander is beautiful to look at and highly sought after, especially in the south, However, the highly toxicity of the oleander bush makes it detrimental to all pets.  It causes heart issues, hypothermia, issues of the gastrointestinal system and more. Poisoning from the oleander can cause death.

Amaryllis

The amaryllis, a lovely spring flower, often adorns Easter dinner tables. The toxins in the amaryllis burn the tongue, lips, and mouth.  Also causing vomiting, drooling, and difficulty swallowing, these spring plants should be avoided by your pets in and around the home.

Daffodil

A relative to the amaryllis, the daffodil is also toxic to pets. Causing many of the same symptoms as the amaryllis, the daffodil can also cause vomiting, pain in the abdominal region, diarrhea, depression, convulsions, low blood pressure and heart issues.  The bulb of the plant presents the most danger to your pets as the bulbs contain the largest concentration of the toxins.

Cyclamen

The cyclamen is a toxic plant to pets, as well. The root is the toxic part of the lan, however ingesting any part of the plant can cause toxic results.  Similar to other plans, gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, diarrhea and even death can result from ingesting the cyclamen.

Educate Yourself of the Dangers of Poisonous Holiday Plants

As you can see, many holiday plants, and plants in general, can be toxic to pets. Educating yourself on the dangers of these plants is the first line of defense in protecting your pets. If you do keep plants in the home for any occasion, keep them out of reach of all pets, particularly cats. Cats jump to high places in the home, so they have easier access to all plants as well as other items you try to keep away from them.

Also, don’t be afraid to let family and friends know the dangers certain plants pose to pets. Plants are often a go to holiday gift and often people don’t realize just how dangerous they can be to pets. If you are uncomfortable denying a gift or bringing up the subject before the event or holiday that you think you may receive a specific plant for, then why not bring the plant to your place of business to enjoy?

Pet Poison Helpline

If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the poisonous plants or displays any of the mentioned symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention or call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1- 800 – 213 – 6680.