From Our Community Now
We love looking at holiday decorations this time of year; the lights, the trees, the sparkly things, and, of course, poinsettias. While the poinsettias do make for great holiday decorations, they can pose a health risk to pets.
So, what is the level of risk to pets from this holiday plant? The American Kennel Club states that poinsettias are a mildly toxic plant that, with the appropriate reasonable precautions, can be safely used around pets. Here’s what you need to know:
The white sap found on the plant will cause pets to experience excessive drooling, repeated licking of lips, vomiting, and diarrhea. The ASPCA says that the plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses with potential for irritating the mouth and stomach, but is “generally overrated in toxicity.”
If your pet does ingest a poinsettia, medical treatment is not often needed, though medical consultation and proper steps should certainly be taken if the pet exhibits signs of poisoning.
Another common holiday plant that poses a risk to cats and dogs is mistletoe. This plant has several varieties, several of which are poisonous to pets. Small amounts will cause drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Ingesting larger amounts can cause abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure, and seizures, with cases of death having been reported.
Terry County’s own Dr. Jim Ridenour stated, “I would still keep all house plants out of reach of pets, anyway. And not just at Christmas. I would also recommend not feeding any table food to pets at all. Grapes are highly toxic to our pets. Just be careful and pay attention to what your pet might be ingesting.”
The Food and Drug Administration offers detailed information and tips for pet owners regarding a long list of holiday hazards: pet treats, tinsel and ribbons, plants, table scraps, and people treats, and how they can be used safely with pets.
If your pet ingests something that may be potentially toxic, you can get information and assistance from several places:
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Animal Poison Control Center website
- Pet Poison Helpline website
- Your veterinarian
The holidays are full of sparkle and fun, and with the right attention and precautions, our pets can safely enjoy them too!
