
North Dakota Cat & Dog Owners: Beware of These Toxic Holiday Plants
The holidays are a magical time, but some of the season’s prettiest decorations can be dangerous for your furry friends—especially cats. Before you deck the halls, let’s talk about a few plants that might do more harm than good. This information is sourced from GoodRX to help ensure a safe and happy holiday for both you and your pets.
Keep Your Pets Safe: Watch Out for These Holiday Plants
Poinsettias are everywhere this time of year. While they’re not as deadly as some myths suggest, their red leaves can still upset your pet’s stomach. A nibble might lead to drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea, so it’s better to keep them out of reach of both cats and dogs.
Lilies are incredibly toxic to cats and dogs. These beautiful flowers, even just a small bite of a petal or a bit of pollen, can cause serious health issues. In cats, lilies can cause kidney failure, and in dogs, they can lead to gastrointestinal distress. If you have pets, skip the lilies altogether—it’s not worth the risk.
Holly looks festive with its shiny leaves and red berries, but it’s not so festive for your furry friends. Eating holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth irritation (thanks to those spiny leaves). It’s best to keep holly out of your home if you have pets.
Mistletoe might be fun for sneaking kisses, but it’s bad news for cats and dogs. Ingesting mistletoe can lead to stomach issues, trouble breathing, or even more serious symptoms. Keep it far from your pets.

Azaleas are another dangerous holiday plant. Even just a few leaves can be fatal to both dogs and cats. The toxins in this plant can directly damage their skeletal systems and heart muscles, leading to symptoms like weakness and tremors. Azalea poisoning can also affect their central nervous system. This plant should be kept far away from your furry companions.
Yew Avoid this evergreen shrub as it contains toxins that can cause severe heart problems and even death in both cats and dogs. It’s best to keep Yew out of your home entirely.
If you have a real pine or fir Christmas tree, one of the most important things you can do this holiday season is to keep your pets away from the water at the base of the tree. It is common for various chemicals, such as preservatives, pesticides, and fertilizers, to be used to keep your tree alive longer. These chemicals can have harmful or even deadly consequences for pets. The safest option is to cover the tree water dish to prevent access.
These plants are also considered toxic to pets: Amaryllis, Christmas Rose, Christmas Cactus, Cylamen, and Ivy.
If you love your holiday plants, consider swapping them for artificial versions or safer alternatives. And if your pet does get into something they shouldn’t, watch for signs and symptoms of poisoning.
Call your local vet first. If for some reason you cannot reach them, call the Pet Poison helpline 855-764-7661. Or you can call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435. Both are open 24-7, but they charge a consultation fee.
SWEET: 16 Totally Awesome '80s Candies We Were Obsessed With
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
More From Dakota Country 96.1






