4. Avoid plants toxic to animals
One of the most wonderful things about the winter holidays is the opportunity to bring vibrant colors into our homes and lives. Green trees. Red sweaters. Christmas cookies of all shapes and shades. Delightful foods spanning the rainbow.
While any new plant has the possibility to produce upset tummies, some of the holiday favorite plants are more toxic than others.
Lilies top the list, especially for cats. Lilies should never be brought into a household where they have a chance to be explored and ingested by a curious cat. Just one bite of a lily can bring on severe acute kidney failure in cats. Don’t risk it!
Other holiday plants and greenery which can be toxic to dogs and cats include mistletoe, rosemary and holly berries. The Christmas (English) holly is especially toxic.
What about poinsettas? While they have a bad rap, and certainly can cause tummy, skin or eye irritations, they are rarely severe and generally clear up on their own. The other plants listed above are much more of a concern.
More info at the Pet Poison Helpline.
Enjoy your colorful holidays, keep the holiday plants out of your pet’s reach, and help ensure everyone has a happy and healthy celebration.