Fall and Winter Holiday Plant Toxicity in Cats

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Fall and Winter Holiday Plant Toxicity in Cats

By: PetPlace Veterinarians

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Flowers and plants add beauty to any holiday, and they make great holiday gifts. But if your family includes pets, you may want to learn which plants are safe and which ones you need to avoid.

Remember that ingesting bulb plants often cause the most severe illnesses. Here are a list of some popular winter holiday plants and their potential toxicities.

Holly (Ilex sp.). This plant, commonly found around Christmas time, can cause intense vomiting and diarrhea. Mental depression can also occur.

Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp). Ingestion can result in vomiting, diarrhea, depression, lack of appetite, tremors, drooling and abdominal pain.

Mistletoe (Phoradendron spp.). This plant, another Christmas plant, can also cause significant vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, this plant has been associated with difficulty breathing, slowed heart rate, collapse and, if a lot is ingested, death has occurred.

Some animals may even show erratic behavior and possible hallucinations.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia). This plant can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting. It has a low level of toxicity and is overrated as a toxic plant. Many people consider it basically non-toxic.

Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, Easter cactus (Schlumbergera or Zygocactus). In dogs, if large quantities of this plant are ingested, vomiting, possibly with blood, diarrhea, possibly with blood and mental depression have been reported. With small ingestions, typically there are no signs of toxicity. These plants are considered low toxicity plants.

Some less common toxic winter holiday plants include:

American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens). Ingestion results in weakness, vomiting and seizures.

European bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara). Ingestion results in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, lack of appetite, weakness, confusion and low heart rate.

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium). Ingestion results in vomiting, diarrhea, depression, drooling and lack of appetite.

Christmas rose (Helleborus niger). Ingestion results in abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and delirium.

Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicuni). Ingestion results in vomiting, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, seizures, mental depression, respiratory depression, shock and death.

Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Ingestion of the bulbs results in mouth irritation, blooding vomiting, diarrhea, shock, kidney failure, liver damage and bone marrow suppression.

Thanksgiving cactus (Zygocactus truncactus). Ingestion results in vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Cats also can develop staggering.

Christmas palm (Veitchia merrillii). This plant is considered nontoxic.

Christmas orchid (Cattleya trianaei). This plant is considered nontoxic.

Christmas dagger fern (Polystichym spp). This plant is considered nontoxic.

Mistletoes cactus (Thipsalis cassutha). This plant is considered nontoxic.

Burning bush (Euronymous alatus). Ingestion can result in vomiting, diarrhea, depression and lack of appetite.

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1 20 Common House Plants: Are They Dangerous to Your Cat?
Usually, plants and pets live together harmoniously but some curious pets may decide to see how they taste. Listed are 20 of the most popular houseplants and their level of toxicity.
Read More
2 Dealing with Cats Who Eat Plants
Anyone who has ever owned a cat will immediately recognize the thorny “problem” of plant eating. This behavior is not so much a problem for the cat as for the plant loving cat owner, just as long as the...
Read More
3 How to Plant a Cat-safe Garden
As many pets enjoy being outside in the warm spring and summer months, some thought must be given to their safety in the lawn and garden. With a little careful planning, you and your pet can enjoy a safe...
Read More
4 Plants That Your Cat Shouldn’t Eat
Cats love plants. Though they’re strict carnivores, cats like to eat plants even though doing so can make them ill. The consequences can range from simply vomiting to liver failures, seizures and even...
Read More
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Fall and Winter Holiday Plant Toxicity in Cats

Fall and Winter Holiday Plant Toxicity in Cats

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