Holiday Toxins for Pets

While the holidays add excitement to the long winter months, we cannot forget about the indoor and outdoor toxins that pets frequently encounter at 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 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 vomiting and diarrhea, they do not usually cause significant poisoning. Dogs and cats may have a lack of appetite or upset stomach for a short time after eating poinsettia leaves, but this often resolves without medical intervention. However, if your pet’s signs of illness persist for more than 24 hours or are severe, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline.

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. 

Lilies. Bouquets brought into the house should be thoroughly inspected, as exposure to true 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.

Holly. 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 heads excessively due to irritation from the spiny leaves.

Mistletoe. Most people hang mistletoe high enough that it is out of reach for pets, but 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, signs may include collapse, hypotension (low blood pressure), ataxia (difficulty walking), seizures, and even death.

Japanese yew. This evergreen has become a popular addition to holiday wreaths. All parts of the Japanese yew 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?

It can be hard for pets to resist the temptation of sparkling lights and glittering tinsel, but these items can be hazardous. 

• If your pet ingests string-like tinsel, ribbon, or twine, it can become lodged in the intestines 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 neurological symptoms. 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.

Is potpourri dangerous to pets?

Dried potpourri can cause vomiting, diarrhea, ulcerations to the mouth and stomach, and possible foreign body obstruction if a large amount is ingested.

Liquid potpourri, fragrance oils, and plug-in air fresheners cause vomiting, drooling, ulcers to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, fever, lethargy, and hiding. Cats are most sensitive to these types of potpourri.

Candles are also often scented with oils, but if pets ingest them, the main concern is not the scent, but that the candle may form a gastrointestinal foreign body and potential obstruction.

What foods and beverages can cause problems for my pet this time of year?

With the holiday season comes a variety of festive drinks, baked goods, chocolate confections, and other rich foods. However, it can be 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. Depending on the amount and type ingested, clinical signs may include vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, and seizures. White chocolate contains the lowest amounts of theobromine, the toxic chemical in chocolate, while unsweetened and baker’s chocolates contain the highest amounts, so smaller amounts of darker chocolate may cause more severe signs. Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is a concern, even with small amounts, due to the high fat content. 
• 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 neurological signs, elevated body temperature, and pancreatitis.
• Xylitol. Many sugar-free gums, candies, and baked goods contain xylitol, a natural sweetener that is toxic to dogs. This ingredient may also be labeled as “birchwood sugar.” Ingestion of xylitol may result in a life-threatening decrease in blood sugar as well as liver failure.
• Fat. Leftover fatty meat scraps can cause severe stomach upset and pancreatitis.

Is ice melt safe to use around pets?

Ice melt is a chemical product applied on outdoor surfaces to melt ice. It is commonly used around entryways and sidewalks. 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-based with ingredients such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium.  

If your pet ingests a small amount or licks some off their feet, it usually causes mild vomiting or skin irritation. Large ingestions can cause more severe gastrointestinal signs and electrolyte abnormalities that result in neurological signs, such as tremors or seizures. 

What type of problems can occur if pets ingest antifreeze?

Antifreeze is a generic term used to describe liquids used to prevent freezing. While antifreeze is around all year, exposure to this fatal chemical is more prevalent in the winter months. 

Ethylene glycol. The active ingredient in engine antifreeze is typically ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol can also be found in snow globes, although in lower concentrations. 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. Only a few licks of ethylene glycol is enough to potentially be fatal to cats and small dogs. 

Ethylene glycol poisoning results in neurological signs and kidney failure. Immediate treatment with an antidote is vital. The antidote has the best chance of success if given within three hours of ingestion for cats and eight hours of ingestion for dogs. It is imperative to seek veterinary care immediately for testing to diagnose antifreeze poisoning and start treatments as soon as possible.

Propylene glycol. The active ingredient in antifreeze used to winterize RVs and cabins (placed in toilets and pipes) is typically propylene glycol. Signs associated with propylene glycol ingestion include ataxia (difficulty walking), sedation, slow heart rate and panting. Kidney failure is not expected from propylene glycol poisoning. Prognosis is generally good with aggressive and prompt care.

If you are concerned your pet ingested any of these toxins, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline as soon as possible.  It is helpful to have product packaging available if possible.

Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison 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.