Wondering whether poinsettias are poisonous to cats? Did your puppy eat the holly off the wreath you just bought while you were on the way home in the car? Several popular holiday plants are poisonous to pets, and some of them are more toxic than others. Here’s what to watch out for, which plants to avoid, and what to do if your pet eats your holiday plants.
Pet Parents Beware: These Popular Holiday Plants Are Poisonous
Amaryllis
- Moderately toxic
- Consult your veterinarian
Amaryllis bulbs are a popular holiday gift because the plants bloom during the winter. Although amaryllis plants are not deadly, they can make pets very sick. Eating amaryllis can cause drooling, loss of appetite, tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact your vet if you suspect that your pet ate amaryllis.
Holly
- Mildly toxic
- May cause vomiting, diarrhea, or depression
If you want your pet to have a happy holiday season, keep holly berries far away. Besides giving them a stomach ache, eating holly could make your pet feel sad and depressed. Make sure to hang wreaths or garlands with holly well out of your pet’s reach.
Mistletoe
- Highly toxic
- Contact an emergency vet
American Mistletoe, or Phoradendron flavescens, can be fatal to cats or dogs who eat a large enough amount. It can also cause vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, low heart rate, seizures, and hallucinations. If your pet ate mistletoe, they will need emergency veterinary care.
Peace Lilies
- Moderately toxic
- Consult your vet
Not as dangerous as other types of lilies, but it still contains calcium oxalate crystals in low amounts. If your pet eats a peace lily, they might start drooling, pawing at their mouth; they might also start vomiting or lose their appetite. In rare cases, however, it can cause respiratory distress, so contact your veterinarian for advice.
Poinsettias
- Mildly toxic
- May cause vomiting
If your pet eats a poinsettia, don’t panic—it won’t kill them. Despite their reputation, poinsettias are only mildly toxic to pets. Their leaves can cause skin irritation or GI upset, and you might have to deal with some vomiting or diarrhea.
Emergency Veterinary Care in Gilbert
Anasazi Animal Clinic is a full-service veterinary hospital in Gilbert, Arizona. We are open six days a week and we’re equipped to handle any urgent care your pet needs. But if something happens outside of our regular hours, it’s wise to be prepared.
Always keep the number of the nearest emergency vet saved in your phone, just in case. Accidents will happen, and no matter how hard you try to keep them away from your holiday decorations, some pets can be very determined.
If you’re worried about something your pet ate, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’ll let you know if you should bring your pet in to see us, and if they need treatment we’ll help them make a full recovery. And if you’d like to schedule an appointment to check up on your pet’s health or boost their vaccinations, we’d love to hear from you.
Until then, here’s wishing you and your fur family a safe and happy holiday season!
Photo by Woodson’s Mom on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 10/22/2023.