Content provided by our partner Noah’s Ark Pet Crematory ~
Festive plants and greenery make the holidays bright. From Christmas trees in the living room or a poinsettia on your dining room table, their colors and scents add to the atmosphere of your home. But when you have pets, you have to be cautious. Many holiday plants, greens and berries can be poisonous. Here’s the top 5 to be careful with:
1. Poinsettias
Poinsettias are among the most well-known festive plants and are popular as gifts and decorations. But many veterinarians don’t like them because common knowledge says they’re poisonous to animals. The fact is, they’re not as toxic as we’ve been led to believe. According to Pet Poison Helpline and the ASPCA, these colorful plants, aren’t that lethal. Still, it’s always a good idea to keep the plants out of their reach
2. Mistletoe
There’s some confusion surrounding mistletoe’s toxicity. The ASPCA warns that mistletoe can cause erratic behavior, a dangerously low heart rate and possibly even cardiovascular collapse. Whatever you’ve heard about mistletoe, it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep it out of your pets reach.
3. Amaryllis
These beautiful plants are a favorite with many indoor gardeners this time of year. But don’t add them to your wish list unless you have a dog-free place to display them. These bulb-grown plants contain naturally-occurring chemicals such as lycorine that can be toxic to your pooch.
4. Christmas Cactus
Here’s one of the safer ones. The ASPCA lists Christmas cactus as non-toxic to dogs. This doesn’t mean you should allow any nibbling or chewing, but the Christmas cactus is one of those plants you can be less worried about when it comes to your companion’s well-being.
5. Holly and Ivy
There are many different kinds of holly and all have some degree of toxicity. Surprisingly, the berries are only mildly poisonous, but consumption of the whole plant can do damage to your pet’s digestive system. The ivy family has many different varieties too, and also contains toxins that can harm your pet. Watch out that tendrils don’t dangle down into his reach. Be sure to pick up dropped leaves as well, even if they’re dead.
As long as you use some caution, your pets can co-exist with these holiday plants. Give preference to those that are less toxic, such as poinsettias and Christmas cactus, avoid the toxic ones.
Here at Noah’s Ark, we help celebrate the life of your cherished friend by offering a loving and compassionate cremation service. We can provide a plaster paw print, hair clipping, and memorial DVD upon request at no additional cost.
Noah’s Ark Pet Crematory
2643 Old Bridge Road Manasquan, NJ 08736
732-528-6624 or 732-528-NOAH