Are your holiday plants toxic to your pet

With Halloween (see Chocolate toxicity and Xylitol Poisoning) and Thanksgiving (see Thanksgiving and other holiday pet hazards) behind us, the holiday season marches on with the impending festivities of Christmas and Hanukkah. As we decorate our dwellings for these celebrations, keep in mind that festive plants can be potentially toxic when eaten by your pets. As friends and family share the holiday cheer by gifting (or re-gifting) you a seasonal plant, be aware of the toxic effects a particular plant may have on your pet if inappropriately consumed.

Here is my list of common winter holiday plants and the clinical signs our canine and feline companions can exhibit post-ingestion.

Amaryllis (Amaryllis sp.)

The Amaryllis is a personal favorite, as any novice green thumb has only to provide appropriate water and light to generate a spectacular flower. I always look forward to watching the stalk rapidly emerge from the bulb and produce its trumpet-shaped blossoms. The Amaryllis contains Lycorine and other toxic substances, which can cause increased salivation, gastrointestinal abnormalities (vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain), lethargy, and tremors in both cats and dogs. The bulb of the plant is reputed to be more toxic than the flowers and stalk. The Amaryllis also goes by other names, including the Belladonna or Saint Joseph Lily, the Cape Belladonna, and the Naked Lady.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

The Christmas Cactus is one of my favorite year-round plants. In fact, I have propagated my current plants from larger plants living in Washington, Massachusetts, and Northern and Southern California. Of these four plants, only my Southern California variety is producing the characteristic fuchsia flowers this holiday season. Much to my relief, my canine companion, Cardiff, is uninterested in consuming any of my vast array of plants. Fortunately, if Cardiff were to consume parts of a Christmas Cactus plant or flowers (or the plants relative, the Easter Cactus), he would not suffer any toxic effects. The same lack of toxicity applies to cats. If the Christmas Cactus is consumed, the mechanical irritation caused by fibrous plant material can still cause vomiting or diarrhea.

Holly (Ilex opaca)

Your pet’s Christmas will not be so “holly-jolly” if the berries or leaves from the plant are consumed. Holly’s toxicity “stems from” (HA-HA...botany joke) saponins, which are soap-like chemicals known as glycosides. In dogs and cats, consumption of Holly can cause gastrointestinal signs (vomiting and diarrhea) and lethargy.

House Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

As we draw closer to Christmas, imagine your family finding the perfect pine tree and lovingly decorating the tree’s branches. Unfortunately, that Christmas fantasy may be marred by the fact that you may have not considered possible toxic effects your tree can have on your cat or dog. There are a variety of pine trees that can cause toxicity, including the Australian, Norfolk, and Norfolk Island Pine. Unlike the other plants in this list, the toxic mechanism is unknown. Ingestion of pine needles can cause gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea) and lethargy.

Additionally, the tree stand water can harbor bacteria, molds, or other agents (fertilizers) that can cause your pet to fall ill.

Mistletoe "American or European" (Phoradendron flavescens)

Mistletoe often gets incorporated into Christmas and New Year celebrations as an accessory to amorous advances. Have you ever been kissed under a Mistletoe branch held by your romantic partner? Was the kiss worth it after you discover your pet has ingested the Mistletoe you inadvertently dropped in the midst of your lustful swoon?

Consumption of mistletoe berries or leaves can cause severe gastrointestinal (vomit, diarrhea), cardiovascular (low blood pressure, low heart rate), and neurologic (collapse, unusual behavior) signs. Mistletoe contains multiple substances toxic to both dogs and cats, including oxalbumin and pharatoxin viscumin (Lectins, Phoratoxins).

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

This ubiquitous Christmas plant has an unnecessarily bad reputation for toxicity. As the Poinsettia is such a standard holiday decoration, it is also very frequently ingested by our pets. Fortunately, toxicology studies do not confirm the public’s perception of the poinsettia’s exceedingly harmful effects. It is still best that your pet does not eat any part of the plant, as the poinsettia contains a latex-like sap that can cause local irritation to the mouth and vomiting.

If your pet is showing signs of illness and you have a potentially toxic plant in your house, consider the likelihood that your pet’s affliction may be due to inappropriate ingestion of the plant. If you suspect you pet has consumed a toxic plant, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center to determine the best treatment. As there are numerous plants that may harbor toxic effects, please visit APSCA APC for more information on and pictures of these potentially hazardous plants.

Keep in mind that more than one toxic substance can be involved, therefore seeking an Animal Poison Control Center consultation and pursuing treatment with a veterinarian are vitally important.

Ultimately, the best method of preventing inappropriate ingestion of a toxic plant by your pet is to banish such plants from your home. If potentially toxic holiday plants do end up in your residence, obstruct your pet’s access to them. When it comes to our pets (and ourselves) prevention is truly the best medicine.

Related Articles

Give thanks for your pet's health this Thanksgiving holiday

Reduce your pets exposure to toxins during Octobers National Pet Wellness Month

Pet Care 101- Why is chocolate unhealthy for my dog?

Xylitol poisoning- emerging canine toxicity from sugarless chewing gum

Additional resources

University of Nebraska Toxicity of Common Houseplants

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