5 Holiday Plants Toxic to Pets
The holidays are right around the corner, so it’s time to decorate! But did you know that there are some festive plants that can be toxic to your pets? Some plants may only cause mild discomfort, but others could be fatal to your furry friend. While putting out your decorations this year, beware these 5 commonly used holiday plants that are toxic to pets.
1) Poinsettias
Although not deadly, this plant is mildly toxic to dogs and cats because its leaves contain a white sap that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your pet consumes this plant, they will experience stomach irritation, oral irritation, and skin irritation.
2) Lilies
Every part of this plant is toxic to pets, especially cats, including the pollen and flower. Ingestion of this flower by a pet will cause a myriad of symptoms, including mouth irritation, excessive drooling, decreased appetite, difficulty swallowing, gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, reduced heart rate and potentially life-threatening kidney damage.
3) Holly
If your pet consumes the berries of this plant, they may develop extreme gastrointestinal distress. Additionally, the spiny leaves can injure your pet’s mouth and digestive tract if swallowed. Other symptoms of ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.
4) Azaleas
This flower contains a group of neurotoxins called grayanotoxins that are found in the stem, leaves, flower, and nectar. These toxins, if ingested, disrupt sodium channels that impact muscle. Consumption of this plant could cause drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, abnormal heart rate, coma, and even death.
5) Mistletoe
This festive plant is toxic to dogs and cats because its leaves contain toxalbumin and pharatoxin viscumin, which cause many gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. Ingestion of this plant could also cause difficulty breathing and even depression. If consumed in large amounts by your pet, it could even result in seizures or death.
If you are thinking about using these plants for decoration this season, consider other decorative options or put them in a place where your furry friend cannot get to it. Be aware of which plants you use to decorate, and where you put them, to keep your pets as safe as possible!
To see a complete list of plants and their toxicity to dogs and cats, check out ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List! This list can help determine which plants are safe to use while decorating for the holidays this year!
If your dog or cat consumes any of these plants, immediately call the Animal Poison Control Center at (888)-426-4435.
Happy Decorating!
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