9 Holiday Plants That Pose a Danger to Cats (With Pictures)
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Other than the baking and gift-purchasing aspects, part of gearing up for the holidays is decorating. Some decorating involves trees and plants, but when you have a cat running around, you must ensure your pet’s safety.
Unfortunately, some of the popular decorative holiday plants are toxic to cats. Here’s a list of nine plants that must be kept away from your feline. There’s also information about plants that are safe near your cat.
The 6 Dangerously Toxic Holiday Plants
1. Christmas Lily
All lilies are toxic to cats to a certain degree. True lilies are the most toxic, which include Easter, Japanese show, tiger, and stargazer lilies. Christmas lilies aren’t as toxic as true lilies but are toxic nonetheless. Every part of the lily is toxic, and with the day and true lilies, kidney failure can occur within 72 hours after ingestion.
2. Holly
Holly contains toxic saponins. The leaves are also spiny, which can injure the cat's mouth and esophagus when ingested. If injured by the holly, your cat might shake their head excessively, smack their lips, and drool.
If a cat eats holly, they can suffer from severe gastrointestinal irritation, including:
3. Mistletoe
Most of us are familiar with the kissing-under-the-mistletoe tradition. Unfortunately for cats, the American (Phoradendron serotinum) and European mistletoe (Viscum album) are toxic, with the European variety being the most toxic. Mistletoe and cats don’t mix so keep them away!
4. Cyclamen
The cyclamen grows around the holidays and is typically bright pink, red, or white. Every part of the plant contains saponins, but the roots (tubers) have the highest concentration.
5. Christmas Rose
6. Amaryllis
The Amaryllis is not a true lily but is still toxic. It contains alkaloids, which are found in all parts of the plant.
Eating a few leaves can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, like vomiting.
However, if too many leaves or roots are ingested, it can lead to:
The 3 Mildly Toxic Holiday Plants
7. Poinsettia
The poinsettia is the most well-known plant people associate with Christmas; unfortunately, it is not safe for cats. However, it’s only mildly toxic to felines. Poinsettias have a white sap containing saponin-like detergents and diterpenoid euphorbol esters.
Your cat would need to eat a large amount of the sap to come down with poinsettia poisoning. Most likely, cats will have an irritated mouth and esophagus after chewing a poinsettia. Poinsettias aren’t overly dangerous, but if your cat is prone to chewing on plants, put them out of your cat’s reach or avoid having them in the home altogether. They can still make your cat sick.
8. Christmas Tree
Most Christmas trees are fir, pine, and spruce, and while they aren’t necessarily toxic, the needles can injure a cat's mouth when eaten.
If your cat eats too many needles, it can cause gastrointestinal problems, including:
The tree water can also cause problems if your cat drinks it. Artificial trees have the same issue. If your cat eats the plastic “needles,” they will experience gastrointestinal issues. The decorations and electrical lights also pose a risk.
You can try cat-proofing your Christmas tree. The risks are minor, but you’ll also need to judge how your cat will act around it to decide if it’s worth it.
9. Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus is not toxic to cats, but it has tiny spines that can injure the mouth and irritate the stomach and intestines. It’s also highly fibrous, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. This should all resolve within a few hours, but see a vet if the irritation persists.
Like the poinsettia, having a Christmas cactus in the house should be okay, but try to keep it out of your cat’s reach.
What You Should Do if Your Cat Ingested a Toxic Plant
If you know that your cat ate a toxic plant, you should take them to a vet or the closest emergency clinic. If you’re not entirely sure what kind of plant it is, take a photo or bring it with you so the vet will know the source of the problem and, thus, how to treat it.
Mild nausea and vomiting that get better after a few hours aren’t signs of poisoning, but you should still call a vet to be on the safe side. If you’re unsure what to do, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. There is a charge for calling either.
Safe Plants for Cats
No plant is entirely safe, and if your cat eats too much of what is considered a harmless plant, they are still likely to get an upset stomach. However, the following plants are generally safe for felines, but we still recommend keeping them out of your cat’s reach, particularly if your kitty loves to chew on everything!
Conclusion
The holidays are full of fun but also might expose your cats to some dangers, which is especially true if you have a cat that tries everything.
As a responsible pet parent, you must familiarize yourself with the toxic and potentially dangerous plants, foods, and other holiday items. Avoid highly toxic plants at all costs! All it takes is your cat ingesting pollen off a lily while grooming themselves, and you then have to rush your pet to the veterinarian. Cats are sneaky, and it isn’t difficult for a determined cat to reach what you think is an out-of-reach location. Please keep the holidays safe for your kitty!
Featured Image Credit: marilyn barbone, Shutterstock
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Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a pet writer. When she was a child, she hoped to work in ZOOs or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her all-consuming love for animals. Sadly, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but very naughty tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat and a dog.
