The winter holidays are a time for joy and happiness among friends and family. Lights are strung, the aroma of cinnamon and sugar fills the air and beautiful flowers and greenery adorn the mantle and doorways. It is a time of celebration, but the festivities could be cut short if your family pet accidentally consumes the wrong holiday plant. There are many plants that we use to help spruce up our homes for the holidays, but what you may not realize is that some of these plants could be harmful to our pets.
One of the most recognized holiday plants is the poinsettia. Its vibrant red and white flowers can bring life to any room, line an entryway and give a pop of color to a holiday table. However, did you know that this beautiful plant excretes a milky sap that can cause vomiting and skin irritation to your pup if ingested. Wherever possible, try to keep your poinsettias on the mantle or a high table where they will be out of little fido’s reach!!
A popular tradition for those trying to steal a smooch from their sweetie is to hang Mistletoe in the doorway. If your pet consumes the berries from Mistletoe or Holly, it could cause sudden drop in blood pressure, breathing problems, as well as seizures and vomiting. Although there are several varieties of these plants available with varying degrees of toxicity to pets, it may be best to leave them out of your indoor holiday displays entirely.
If you enjoy growing indoor plants, there is a good chance that, in the winter, you may have an Amaryllis growing on your windowsill. This easily grown bulb quickly grows upward and produces a beautiful trumpet shaped flower just in time for the holidays. Be aware though that this striking plant has a potentially harmful side. The bulb is reported to be more poisonous than the stalk or the flowers but both can cause diarrhea, vomiting and decreased appetite if ingested.
Ultimately, the best way to prevent your pet from accidentally ingesting a toxic plant is to keep those plants out of your home entirely. If you choose to have some of these festive plants in your home, be certain to take extra precautions to be sure that they are safely out of reach of your pets. You may want to explore artificial alternatives to these plants as well…no green thumb required! If you believe that your pet may have consumed one of these plants and he begins to show symptoms of toxic ingestion, you should call your local Animal Poison Control Center immediately and reach 
your local veterinarian. By being aware of potential problem plants and taking appropriate precautions you can be sure that this holiday season, and many to come, will be a holly and jolly one for the whole family…four legged members included!
