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CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TOXINS
Tips on holiday decorations, plants and foods that can put your patients at risk.
By Ahna G. Brutlag, DVM, MS, DABT, DABVT
Associate Director of Veterinary Services, Pet Poison Helpline

HOLIDAY DECOR
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Tinsel:  Few cats can resist the lure of shiny strings!  During the holidays, ribbon, string, yarn, and tinsel pose a significant threat to our feline friends (and less commonly, our canine friends).  While these stringy "delicacies" aren't "poisonous," a dangerous linear foreign body can result if they're ingested.  A linear foreign body occurs when a cat swallow something "stringy" which wraps around the base of the tongue or anchors itself in the stomach, rendering it unable to pass through the intestines.  Due to normal peristalsis, the linear foreign body can slowly saw through the tissue, resulting in an intestinal perforation and potential sepsis.


Liquid Potpourri:  The liquid potpourri formulation used in simmer pots typically contains a mixture of cationic detergents and essential oils (even if these are not listed on the product label).  Following oral, dermal, or ocular exposure, cationic detergents can result in serious chemical burns/ ulcerations, tissue necrosis, severe inflammation/fever, and dyspnea (from shock or aspiration).  Essential oils are well absorbed across the oral or GI mucosa and may result in tissue irritation, central nervous system depression, dermal hypersensitivity and rarely, hepatotoxicity (cats).  


HOLIDAY PLANTS
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Poinsettia:  Although they have a bad reputation, the relative toxicity of poinsettia plants has been exaggerated.  The most problematic components of the plant are the saponin-based irritants found in the milky white sap.  As the plant is chewed and sap ingested, mild and self-limiting oral/dermal irritation, salivation, vomiting and diarrhea may result.  The majority of cases can be managed at home.


Mistletoe:  The common name of "mistletoe" can be misleading as there are many varieties of this plant grown worldwide.  The variety under which "couples stop to kiss", is the American Christmas mistletoe.  Like the poinsettia, this plant gets a bad rap.  Rumors of its toxic nature are largely attributed to its cousin, European mistletoe.  Although ingestion of American mistletoe leaves, berries, or extracts may cause mild stomach upset, serious or life-threatening poisoning is extremely rare and not expected following most exposures in pets.  

Holly:  Prized for its evergreen color and bright red berries, the Christmas or English holly joins its holiday brethren as another overrated toxic plant.  The problems caused by holly ingestion are two fold.  First, the spiny and leathery leaves can result in mechanical damage and, potentially, a foreign body obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.  Second, the leaves and berries contain saponins, chemicals that have a detergent-like effect on tissue and result in gastrointestinal irritation.  Most ingestions can be managed at home.


HOLIDAY FOODS
Alcohol (ethanal):  While pets can certainly be poisoned by scavenging unattended holiday cocktails, there are also some unusual sources of alcohol such as raw yeast bread dough, rum or brandy soaked fruit cakes, and fermenting garbage/fruits.  When raw yeast bread dough is ingested, the yeast ferments sugars to carbon dioxide and alcohol, resulting in alcohol poisoning.  The signs of alcohol intoxication in pets include severe hypoglycemia, hypothermia, respiratory depression, and hypotension.  Additionally, the ingested dough expands in the warm, moist environment of the stomach (acts as an "oven") which can result in gastric dilatation and potentially a gastric-dilatation volvulus (GDV).



  1. Christmas tree water The water in the tree stand can have harmful fertilizer in it. Change the water every day to help prevent it from becoming stagnant and do not add extra fertilizers to the water.
  2. Potpourris If your pet comes in contact with the oils that are on potpourri it can cause ulcerations on their mouth or eyes. The oils can also be absorbed through the animals skin, which causes liver damage. 
  3. Tree Decorations Cats like to bat at low-hanging ornaments. They may break and cause injury to the cats. Hang ornaments high enough so they are out of reach form the cats play or use plastic ornaments. Dogs will eat strands of popcorn off trees and tinsel. Avoid using decorations that may tempt your pet to eat or play with anything on the tree.
  4. Guests' Belongings Your pets don't know that they should stay out of your guests bags. They could have medications or other harmful items with that can be toxic to your pet. Hang ups jackets and close doors to keep you pets out of your guests things.
  5. Traditional Holiday Plants Lilies, poinsettia, mistletoe and holly can all cause gastrointestinal upset or worse. Lilies are deadly for cats. 

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  • HOME
  • Library
  • Pet Information
    • Canine
    • Feline
    • Pet Insurance
    • Live Stock & Chickens
  • Services
    • Alternative Treatments >
      • Acupuncture
      • PulseVet Therapy
      • Therapeutic treatment laser
  • Area Dog Trainers & Pet Groomers
  • Finding A Lost Pet
  • Final Act of Caring
  • Contact Us
  • Halloween
  • What do I do with unused medications?
  • covid animals