Holiday plants and pets: which are toxic to cats and dogs, and safe swaps

Pet chewed a plant? Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both answer 24/7, and a fee may apply. Have the plant in hand.

Cat in the house? Lilies come first. Every part of a true lily (Lilium) is toxic to cats: leaf, stem, flower, pollen, vase water and root. It can cause acute kidney failure. A cat that touched a lily needs a vet now, not after signs show.

Most holiday plants upset a stomach. A few do real harm. Here is which is which, with a safe swap for each.

Christmas: amaryllis and mistletoe to watch, poinsettia mild

• Poinsettia: Mild. The sap irritates the mouth and stomach and sometimes causes vomiting, but the plant is overrated in toxicity. The full answer for dogs and cats, plus the holiday food risks, is on our page are poinsettias poisonous to dogs and cats.
• Mistletoe: Keep it high. American mistletoe is toxic to dogs and cats, causing vomiting and diarrhea. It can also slow the heart and, rarely, drop blood pressure. Hang it where no one can jump to it.
• Holly: Mild. Holly causes vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and lethargy; the leaves and berries are low in toxicity. Sweep up fallen berries anyway.
• Amaryllis: Keep away, bulb most of all. Amaryllis is toxic to dogs and cats. Chewed flowers and leaves bring vomiting and diarrhea. The bulb is more toxic: eaten in a large amount, it can cause weakness, tremors, seizures and changes in blood pressure. Grow kits sit on low tables: put them up high.
• Christmas cactus: Safe. Non-toxic to dogs and cats. A big chew may still cause mild vomiting or diarrhea, but nothing serious is expected. It is the easiest swap for a poinsettia or an amaryllis.

Christmas tree needles and water: mild. Spruce and fir needles can irritate the mouth and stomach, with vomiting and drooling. A large amount can block the gut, because needles don't digest well. Tree water breeds bacteria that can cause nausea and diarrhea. Cover the stand and sweep up needles daily.

Lilies in holiday bouquets: many lilies in holiday bouquets are highly toxic and can cause kidney failure in cats. Ask the florist to leave them out.

Valentine's flowers: lilies are deadly for cats, roses are safe

• Lilies: Keep them out of a cat home. Lilies are potentially fatal to cats, and poison cases rise around February 14, many of them chocolate or lilies. Every part of a true lily, even the pollen and the vase water, can cause kidney failure in cats. A cat that brushes past and licks pollen off its fur counts. Dogs are not known to be affected by true lilies, but bouquets mix flowers, so keep the vase out of reach anyway.
• Roses: Safe, mind the thorns. Roses are non-toxic to dogs and cats. The risk is the stem: thorns can cause harm or an infection when a pet bites, steps on or swallows them. Strip the thorns before the roses go in the vase.

Safer Valentine's bouquet: roses with the thorns off, sunflowers and gerbera daisies. All three are non-toxic to dogs and cats.

Easter: lilies and spring bulbs are the danger

• Easter lily: The worst one for cats. The Easter lily causes vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and kidney failure in cats, and death is possible. Cats are the only species known to be affected. Same rule as every true lily: all parts, including the pollen and the vase water. If one comes home as a gift, give it to a friend without a cat.
• Daffodil: Keep away. Daffodils cause vomiting and drooling. A large amount can cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and heart rhythm problems. Every part has the toxin, and the bulb has the most. The vomiting can be severe enough to cause dehydration and shock.
• Tulip: Keep away, bulb most of all. Tulips cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and depression in dogs and cats. The bulb holds the most toxin: keep dogs out of the bulb bed.
• Hyacinth: Keep away. Hyacinths can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), depression and tremors.
• Safer Easter plants: Easter cactus and African violet, both non-toxic to dogs and cats.

Pet chewed a holiday plant? What to do now

• Take the plant away, and check the mouth for leftover pieces.
• Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. For any lily and a cat, call now, even if the cat seems fine.
• Note what the plant was, which part, about how much and when. Keep the plant or its tag nearby.
• Don't make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Cleaning up after a sick pet? Here are the cleaners that are safe around dogs and cats.