844-436-7691
Be Careful Which Holiday Plants You Decorate With to Keep Your Pets Safe
As the holidays are quickly approaching, be wary of buying these holiday plants if you have furry companions in your home. As the weather gets colder, animals spend more time indoors and are more likely to get into things that they shouldn't, such as household plants (Bertero et al., 2020). Depending upon the country, 5% to 11% of all reported pet poisonings occur from the ingestion of household plants (Bertero et al., 2020). Kittens and puppies are the most susceptible to houseplant toxicity due to their small stature combined with their active stage of growth (Elfenbein, 2019). Pet owners may not realize their animal is experiencing plant toxicity unless they catch their pet in the act of ingesting plant material (Bertero et al., 2020). This can become concerning very quickly, because if a pet is acting lethargic, owners may just assume their animal is having an "off" day and not seek veterinary care until it's too late. Another concern in households with many plants is determining which plant the animal ate in order to come up with a treatment plan. On top of plant toxicity, pet owners need to be aware if any of their plants were treated with pesticides, which can be extremely dangerous for pets to consume (Elfenbein, 2019). If you are unsure how to proceed when your pet has been poisoned by a plant, a fantastic resource is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control (Mahaney, 2010).
Poinsettia
One of the most familiar holiday plants that cause toxicity in animals is the Euphorbia pulcherrima, also recognized as the poinsettia (Bertero et al., 2020). Poinsettias are not safe for either cats or dogs to consume, and every holiday season veterinarians see a spike in toxicity cases from poinsettia ingestion. The most dangerous aspect of the plant is the milky latex coating on the leaves, which seems to attract animals through the smell it naturally produces. Animals commonly lick or try to eat the waxy coating, which is very unsafe. Digesting the outer coating can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, and conjunctivitis. If you plan to have poinsettias as a holiday decor item, please put them out of reach from your pets.
Holly
Another plant frequently seen around the holidays is holly (Crampton, 2020). Holly can be a houseplant by itself, incorporated into a Christmas tree, or made into a wreath. The leaves are very pointy and can be dangerous if they enter an animal's digestive tract. The red berries contain theobromine, which can be very dangerous for dogs to consume. Theobromine is also in chocolate and causes similar toxic symptoms targeting the gastrointestinal tract, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additional symptoms include a reduction in blood pressure and increased heart rate. Dogs are more susceptible to theobromine toxicity due to the way their bodies absorb the chemical slowly. Always take your pet to receive veterinary care if they have ingested holly leaves or berries.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe can be found in an archway or pinned at the doorway (Crampton, 2020). Although mistletoe may bring luck to humans, it is very unsafe for pets. Mistletoe is a hemiparasite that grows on trees and can be harmful if ingested by dogs and cats. Mistletoe is comprised of phoratoxin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, blurred vision, decreased heart rate, and a drop in blood pressure. Mistletoe and holly can exhibit very similar symptoms but are treated differently, so knowing which plant your pet ate is very important for a veterinarian.
Christmas Trees
While a Christmas tree itself may not be highly toxic, having one in a household setting may be a safety hazard for pets. The branches and needles are sharp and, if ingested, may cause damage to the stomach lining (Elfenbein, 2019). The water bowl connected to the stump may contain bacteria, mold, or fertilizer that can be harmful to pets. If your furry companions are capable of drinking the tree water, cover it with a tree skirt or sheet. If the tree is decorated with lights, make sure your animals are not chewing on the string of lights for risk of electrocution. Festive ornaments may seem like a fun toy, but they should never be ingested, and if they break, the glass or plastic can become a hazard.
Keeping Pets Safe
As the holiday season is upon us, please be sure to keep your pets away from festive plants. An alternative to live holiday plants is fake plants that add just as much festivity without the risk. If you have your mind set on live plants, consider training your animal not to go near them through positive reinforcement (Mahaney, 2010). If you are looking for training treats, we recommend our organic hemp dog treats, which also help support calm during the busy season.
HempMy Pet wishes you and your furry loved ones a safe and healthy holiday season.
References
- Bertero, A., Fossati, P., & Caloni, F. (2020). Indoor Companion Animal Poisoning by Plants in Europe. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 487.
- Crampton, L. (2020). Twelve Christmas or Holiday Plants: Poisonous and Safe. Dengarden.
- Elfenbein, H. (2019). Dangerous Winter Holiday Plants for Pets. PetMD.
- Mahaney, D. (2010). Are Holiday Plants Toxic to Your Pet? AKC Canine Health Foundation.
