7 Common Seasonal Plants That Are Toxic & Harmful to Dogs & Cats

With fall and winter approaching you may be considering adding some seasonal plants and flowers to your home, but if you have fur babies you need to be careful what foliage you decorate with.

Google searches for “Pet-friendly plants” are up over 5000% in the past 30 days, which begs the question, which plants are dangerous for our four-legged friends?

Intrigued to find out more, the experts at Clear It Waste have compiled a list of popular autumn and winter plants that can be toxic to cats and dogs, as well as sharing advice on how to spot the signs of poisoning in your pets and what to do.

1: Holly

Though Holly is a beautiful seasonal plant arguably synonymous with Christmas, many people are unaware that it can be toxic to their pets.

If ingested, holly berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and distress in pets, as well as the leaves causing pain, bleeding, and potential damage to the mouth and throat if chewed.

Though it may seem safe to decorate with Holly if it is out of reach of your furry friends, as the plant dries, the berries tend to loosen and drop to the floor, making them easy for your pet to mistake as a treat.

2: Autumn Crocus

The autumn crocus is a beautiful plant often grown in gardens for its bright color. However, it is extremely poisonous to pets due to containing a toxic alkaloid called colchicine.

As well as severe gastrointestinal symptoms (bloody vomit, stomach pain, diarrhea, and more), your pets ingesting autumn crocus can also cause liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure, damage to the central nervous system, and even death.

3: Amarylis

It may be wise to think twice before offering this popular Christmas gift and consider whether the recipient has any furry companions to protect.

The amaryllis plant’s leaves, stems and bulbs can be toxic if ingested by cats or dogs and even cause drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Though it is unlikely that your pet would ingest enough of the amaryllis for it to cause severe damage, it is still one to protect your furry friends from.

4: Ivy

Ivy is another plant beloved through winter for its ability to retain its leaves, and is seen in Christmas floristry, kept as an indoor plant, and grown on the outside of buildings.

However, ingesting ivy leaves can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, increased salivation, and diarrhea in pets, and the sap can cause a painful contact rash. Though ivy poisoning is unlikely to be life-threatening, it should not be overlooked.

🐶 SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends 🐾🐾

5: Yew

Another evergreen plant associated with winter time, Yew can be planted outdoors or potted and is often used in seasonal floral arrangements. However, it is crucial to keep your pets away from this plant.

A small nibble of this can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea in your pet, and any more than this can cause muscular tremors, difficulty breathing, seizures (in dogs), and even sudden death from acute heart failure.

6: Poinsettia

Known for its vibrant red and green colors, the poinsettia is often used in Christmas displays or offered as a seasonal gift. However, it can also make your four-legged friends feel unwell.

Though unlikely to cause any severe gastrointestinal symptoms, ingesting poinsettia can irritate your pet's mouth and stomach due to its sap and make your companions very uncomfortable.

7: Mistletoe

Though mistletoe is a beloved part of Christmas decoration and tradition, both the American and European varieties of this plant can be toxic to pets.

Ingesting it will often result in mild gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, but in rare cases, it can cause low blood pressure, low heart rate, and difficulty breathing.

If you catch your pet eating a potentially dangerous plant, you should not wait for symptoms to appear and should call your vet for advice straight away.

However, it isn’t always easy to keep an eye on our furry friends, and often we may not know they have ingested something toxic until symptoms start to appear. Some symptoms to look out for include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Not eating as much as usual
• Excessive drooling
• Twitching
• Muscle tremors or seizures
• Struggling to breathe
• Irritation around the mouth

If you suspect your pet may have ingested something toxic, do not hesitate to seek help; contact your vet or an emergency out-of-hours vet as soon as possible. It is also helpful if you can provide as much information as possible, such as what they may have eaten and how much, when they ate it, and when symptoms started.

The best way to protect your furry friends is to prevent them from encountering toxic plants at all if possible, by making careful decisions about which plants you bring into your home and garden.

Thanks to our friends at Clear It Waste for this information.