Did you know that a number of popular festive plants and decorations can be harmful to your dog? Poinsettia and holly are poisonous while mistletoe, ivy, potpourri and the oil from real Christmas tree needles can all cause tummy upsets and irritations
Christmas plants are great gifts but be careful!
I love to have plants around the house. A bit of greenery brightens up any room and cheers my mood. Though I don’t buy cut flowers – I feel sorry for them being literally cut off in their prime – although I love a flowering plant.
This time of year plants can make lovely presents. But be careful – a number of popular festive plants and decorations can be harmful to your dog. Luckily, Gus has never shown any inclination to chew or shred my plants.
What are the dangerous plants to look out for?
Poisonous plants include:
- Poinsettia – like all euphorbias, it is poisonous. If your dog nibbles it, the milky white sap is an irritant which can cause dribbling, sickness and sometimes diarrhoea. The effects are usually mild, but it’s still best to keep these plants out of paw reach.
- Holly – its spiky leaves are a deterrent to dogs, so it’s not usually too much of a problem, but every part of holly is poisonous, which again cause irritant effects in the mouth and gut. And there is the risk of nasty scratches and pricks from those spiky leaves.
- Mistletoe is not very toxic but if your dog does eat some, they may show irritant signs like those above. In a few rare cases dogs have become wobbly and had tremors or fits, so, again, keep any mistletoe out of reach
- Ivy can cause tummy upsets, too, but the bigger danger is that it can cause a severe skin irritation or allergic dermatitis
- Potpourri is a mix of various dried plants and flowers. If eaten it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea at the very least. Other effects depend on what plants are in the mix. But it also contains harder, spiky items such as pine cones or bark which can get stuck in your dog’s throat and cause breathing difficulties or block their intestinal tract
- Finally, the oil from real Christmas tree needles can be irritant to the mouth and stomach or cause physical injuries. Use a tree guard, or dog gate, or pen to prevent access
What do you need to do if your dog has eaten the plants?
If you think your dog might have eaten, touched or inhaled something they shouldn’t have, please contact your vet straight away.
Never make your dog sick as this can cause other complications which may harm your dog more. Treatment of any poisoning is easier (and more successful) the sooner it is done, so don’t delay calling for advice if you need.
If you’ve taught a strong “leave it” (which we teach on our Perfect Pet courses) you ‘ll be able to stop your dog eating things they shouldn’t – and it may save you an emergency vet trip and a substantial amount of money.
Here’s to a safe Christmas for all of us!
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
