Season’s Greetings! Seeing pretty decorations around everywhere is a high point of this time of year for many people. Of course, for those of you with pets, you’ll need to be careful as you get your place set up. Many seasonal decorations are dangerous to pets. As it turns out, several popular holiday plants are also unsafe for our furry companions. A Champions Forest, TX goes over some of them below.

Poinsettias 

Poinsettias contain a sap that is toxic to our four-legged friends. Signs include drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea. It can also cause eye irritation in both people and pets.

Holly

When decking your halls, hang those boughs way out of paws’ reach. Holly berries look like pieces of kibble to Fido, but they are toxic to pets, and can cause extreme gastrointestinal problems.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe is a seasonal favorite, but it is definitely not pet-safe. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and abdominal pain. Mistletoe can also cause respiratory distress, and can lower your furry buddy’s blood pressure. Some pets even hallucinate, which would of course cause very erratic behavior. In large doses, it can cause seizures, and even be deadly.

Lilies

Lilies often top the list of things that are dangerous to cats, and with good reason. Even just eating a single leaf or drinking the water can cause kitties to go into kidney failure!

Belladonna (Amaryllis)

Amaryllis can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and tremors. While the bulb is the most dangerous part of the plant, the flowers and stem are also unsafe. (Note: most plants with bulbs are unsafe for pets. That includes daffodils and tulips, as well as popular veggies like garlic and onions.)

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus isn’t toxic. However, those tough, sharp fibers are not easy to digest. The spines also are unsafe.

The Tree

Christmas trees are also a concern. Pine trees contain oils that are toxic to pets. Plus, the needles can cause perforations, obstruction, or punctures if swallowed. The water is also a risk, as it may contain traces of chemicals, such as pesticides or fertilizers. 

Tips

The ASPCA has a list of safe and unsafe plants here. If your furry bff displays any of the symptoms listed above, contact your vet or the Animal Poison Control Center  (888)426-4435 immediately.

Happy Holidays from us, your Champions Forest, TX animal clinic! Call us anytime!