While the holidays add excitement to the long winter months, we cannot forget about indoor and outdoor toxins frequently seen during this time of year. Keeping your pets healthy and safe will help keep your holidays as stress-free as possible. If you believe your pet has ingested any item of concern, it is important to immediately call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal poison control center, at 1-800-213-6680 to have the risk of poisoning assessed.

Are poinsettias as poisonous to pets as many people think?

While poinsettias may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhea, they do not usually cause significant poisoning. Dogs and cats may have a lack of appetite or upset stomach for a brief period after eating the leaves of a poinsettia, but this often resolves without medical intervention. However, if your pet’s signs of illness persist for more than 24 hours, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian.

Are there other holiday plants that may be harmful to pets?

Many holiday arrangements contain lilies, holly, mistletoe, or Yew plants, all of which can result in poisoning if ingested.

Bouquets brought into the house should be thoroughly inspected, as exposure to lilies (Lilium or Hemerocallis species) can cause kidney failure in cats. All parts of the lily plant and flower can result in poisoning, including the pollen and water in the vase.

When Christmas or English holly is ingested, it can result in severe gastrointestinal upset, thanks to the spiny leaves and potentially toxic substances found in the plant. If ingested, most pets smack their lips, drool, and shake their head excessively due to irritation from the spiny leaves.

As for mistletoe, most of us hang it high enough that it is out of reach of our pets. Nevertheless, it can also be poisonous if ingested. American mistletoe is less poisonous than European varieties. Mild signs of gastrointestinal irritation may be seen; if ingested in large amounts, collapse, hypotension (low blood pressure), ataxia (difficulty walking), seizures, and even death have been reported.

Japanese Yew has become a popular addition to holiday wreaths. All parts of this evergreen contain toxins that target the heart, except the fleshy part of the red berries. If your pet ingests any part of this plant, they can develop stomach upset, an abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure, and potentially even coma and death.

Is it safe for my pet to play with Christmas decorations?

While it is hard for a pet to resist the temptation of sparkling lights and glittering tinsel, these items can be very hazardous. If your pet ingests string-like tinsel, ribbon, or twine, it can become lodged in the intestinal tract and cause a linear foreign body to develop. Treating this condition requires costly, invasive surgery and, in severe cases, serious complications can arise.

Some animals enjoy chewing on electrical cords from tree lights or biting the lights themselves. This can result in electrical burns to the mouth and tongue and other complications from electrocution. 

Old-fashioned bubble lights may contain poisonous chemicals such as methylene chloride, which can lead to irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, depression, and potentially aspiration pneumonia if your pet decides to chew on them. 

Ornaments can also look very tempting to your pet. If a glass ornament breaks while your pet is playing with it, the glass shards can lead to lacerations to the skin and mouth as well as damage to their gastrointestinal tract. 

Homemade ornaments created with salt may pose a risk to your pets as well, as ingestion of these ornaments can lead to salt toxicity, causing electrolyte abnormalities and neurologic symptoms. It’s important to note that the symptoms can be delayed several hours as the ornaments tend to break down slowly in the stomach.

It is also important to prevent pets from drinking Christmas tree water, as added fertilizers and stagnant water may cause stomach upset.

What are the dangers of potpourri to pets?

If you typically heat your scented oils in a simmer pot, know that they can cause serious harm to your cat. Even a few licks can result in severe chemical burns, fever, difficulty breathing, and tremors.

Dogs are not as sensitive, but it is still better to be safe than sorry, so scent your home with a non-toxic candle, diffuser, or plug-in air freshener dispenser kept safely out of your pet’s reach.

Dry potpourri may also cause chemical burns in the mouth, potential foreign bodies, and gastrointestinal upset, depending on the size of the animal and amount ingested. 

While candles are often scented with oils, the largest concern with ingestion is a gastrointestinal foreign body and potential obstruction. In addition to an upset stomach, surgical removal of the candle may be necessary if large pieces are ingested.

What foods and beverages are most problematic to my pet this time of year?

With the holiday season comes a delightful variety of festive drinks, baked goods, chocolate confections, and other rich, fattening foods. However, it can be quite dangerous to share these treats with your pets. Take care to ensure there are no toxic foods in reach of pets, including under the Christmas tree. Foods of concern include:

• Chocolate: Small amounts may cause stomach upset, with cardiovascular and neurologic stimulation possible with large ingestions. White chocolate contains the lowest amounts of theobromine, the toxic chemical in chocolate, while unsweetened and baker’s chocolates contain the highest amounts of theobromine, so smaller amounts of darker chocolates may cause poisoning. The specific risk to your pet depends on the amount ingested, type of chocolate, and the size of your pet. Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is a concern even in cases where poisoning is not expected.
• Foods containing grapes, raisins, and currants (such as fruit cakes, breads, chocolate assortments, and cookies) can result in kidney failure in dogs.
• Raw bread dough: Ingestion of raw dough with yeast can cause alcohol poisoning as well as stomach bloat. Symptoms may include acting drunk and having a bloated stomach within hours of ingestion. Alcohol poisoning can also occur following ingestion of alcoholic beverages or rum-soaked cakes.  
• Macadamia nuts, present in cookies and chocolates, can result in neurologic signs, elevated body temperature, and pancreatitis.
• Many sugar-free gums, candies, and baked goods contain xylitol, a natural sweetener that is toxic to dogs. This may also be labeled as “birch wood sugar” in the ingredients list on the label. Ingestion of xylitol may result in a life-threatening decrease in blood sugar as well as liver failure.
• Leftover fatty meat scraps can cause severe stomach upset and pancreatitis.

Is ice melt safe to use around pets?

Ice melt, a chemical product applied on outdoor surfaces to break down ice, is commonly used around entryways and sidewalks. For convenience, containers filled with ice-melt granules are often left accessible and within a pet’s reach. There are numerous formulations available, many of which are salt (sodium) based. 

Small exposures typically lead to stomach upset and possibly skin and paw pad irritation. If ingested in large amounts, ice melt can cause electrolyte abnormalities that can result in seizures and brain damage. If your pet has consumed any amount of ice melt, it is important to call Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian immediately.

What type of problems can occur if pets ingest antifreeze?

While antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is around all year, exposure to this fatal chemical is more prevalent in the winter months. It is important to make sure your pet does not have access to this product. Antifreeze can be found in numerous sources, including cars and RVs, and is also used to winterize plumbing. 

In many regions with cabins that are not used frequently during the winter, it is common for people to place antifreeze in their cabin’s bathroom plumbing to prevent it from freezing during the winter. We receive numerous calls each year at Pet Poison Helpline due to dogs running into cabins and drinking out of the toilet.

Finally, some holiday decorations contain small amounts of antifreeze, such as imported snow globes. If a snow globe falls off the table, cracks open, and your pet then licks up the contents of the snow globe, there is a risk of poisoning if the globe contains antifreeze. Only a few licks of ethylene glycol is enough to potentially be fatal to cats and small dogs.

Ethylene glycol poisoning results in neurologic signs and kidney failure. Immediate treatment with an antidote (fomepizole or ethanol) is vital. The antidote has the best chance of success if given within the first 3 hours for cats and 8–12 hours for dogs, so it is imperative to seek veterinary care immediately for blood testing to diagnose antifreeze poisoning.

Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control center based out of Minneapolis, MN, is available 24/7 for pet owners and veterinary professionals that require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. The staff provides treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals, and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s per-incident fee includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the poison case. Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.