The holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and festive decorations, often featuring beautiful seasonal plants. However, some of these popular plants can pose serious health risks to your pets. At Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, we want to ensure your holiday season is as safe as it is cheerful. Here’s a guide to holiday plants that can be harmful to cats and dogs, along with pet-safe alternatives.
Toxic Holiday Plants to Watch Out For
Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudo capsicum)
- Why It’s Popular: Bright red berries make this plant a festive choice for holiday decorations.
- Toxicity: Contains solanine, a compound toxic to pets.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, and, in severe cases, respiratory issues or seizures.
- Tip: Replace with artificial berry decorations for a safer home.
Helleborus (Christmas Rose)
- Why It’s Popular: Known for its delicate white blooms, often featured in winter floral arrangements.
- Toxicity: Contains glycosides that can cause serious issues if ingested.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
- Tip: Consider non-toxic faux flowers for a pet-friendly touch.
Paperwhite Narcissus
- Why It’s Popular: A favorite for indoor winter blooms due to its elegance and fragrance.
- Toxicity: Bulbs contain harmful alkaloids.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, and tremors.
- Tip: Keep these plants out of reach or choose a safer alternative for holiday arrangements.
Cyclamen
- Why It’s Popular: Its bright, festive flowers make it a popular holiday gift.
- Toxicity: Contains terpenoid saponins, especially in the tubers.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and in severe cases, heart rhythm abnormalities or seizures.
- Tip: Opt for pet-safe indoor plants like Christmas cactus.
Lilies
- Why It’s Popular: Sometimes included in winter bouquets for their elegance.
- Toxicity: Extremely toxic to cats; even small amounts can cause kidney failure.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and signs of kidney damage in cats.
- Tip: Avoid lilies entirely if you have cats.
Mistletoe
- Why It’s Popular: A traditional decoration for holiday cheer.
- Toxicity: Can cause gastrointestinal upset in pets and, in severe cases, cardiovascular issues.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.
- Tip: Hang mistletoe in areas completely inaccessible to pets.
Holly
- Why It’s Popular: Its bright berries and spiky leaves are a holiday staple.
- Toxicity: Contains saponins that can irritate the stomach.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and abdominal discomfort.
- Tip: Use artificial holly to achieve the same festive look without the risk.
Poinsettias
- Why It’s Popular: A classic holiday plant with bright red and green leaves.
- Toxicity: Less harmful than its reputation suggests but still mildly irritating.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, drooling, and mild mouth or stomach irritation.
- Tip: Keep poinsettias out of reach to avoid any issues.
Plants That Are Safe for Cats and Dogs
While many holiday plants can be hazardous, there are safe options for pet-friendly decorating:
- Christmas Cactus: A beautiful, festive choice that’s non-toxic.
- Rosemary: Both decorative and useful in the kitchen, and safe for pets.
- Spider Plants: A stylish and pet-safe option year-round.
Tips for a Pet-Safe Holiday
- Choose Wisely: Select non-toxic or artificial plants when decorating.
- Place Strategically: Keep all plants—safe or not—out of reach of curious paws.
- Monitor Pets: Watch for signs of ingestion, such as drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Act Quickly: If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Celebrate Safely
By being mindful of the plants you bring into your home, you can enjoy a festive and safe holiday season for every member of your family—human and furry alike. With a little planning, your decorations can shine without posing a risk to your pets.
For more in-depth information on what plants might not be good to have around your pet, visit the ASPCA’s poison control website here. From all of us at Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, we wish you and your pets a joyful, safe, and happy holiday season!
