In the bustle of our Christmas excitement and activity, there are three common plants that we often bring into house as part of our Christmas celebration that may cause harm to our pets. The plants we should be concerned with are

1. Poinsettias
2. American mistletoe
3. Holly

The poinsettia usually causes minimal symptoms. The sap of the plant is an irritant. If any part of the plant is ingested by a pet, it may cause irritation to the mouth, resulting in excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, or shaking of the head. If enough is swallowed, irritation to the stomach may result in vomiting. Cats and new puppies are most prone to have problems with poinsettia from chewing on the leaves.

The berries of the American mistletoe and holly are the toxic portion of the plant. The berries cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, death. Most sources say a large number of berries must be consumed to cause a problem. This is a true statement, but you must remember that the number of berries required to cause a problem is directly proportionally to the size of the pet. The greatest danger is new Christmas puppies of small breeds that weigh less than five pounds.

With care and caution, these plants may continue to be part of our Christmas traditions without causing any problems. If your pet should ingest any of these plants, play it safe and call your veterinarian immediately following his instructions.

Owen Fisk