The holiday season is upon us! It is time to deck the halls and cozy up with your furry friend. As you decorate your space, let’s discuss what is (and isn’t) safe for your pet family members.
Let’s start off by discussing 5 Common Holiday Plants That Are Toxic to Pets. Holly, mistletoe, and yew are common decorative plants, especially on wreaths. These are all toxic to both cats and dogs.
Did you know lilies, commonly known for their presence in winter floral bouquets, are toxic to cats? If you have a feline, you should never bring lilies into your home. This is a good rule of thumb as ingestion can be deadly.
A Common Misconception
Poinsettias, the ever so popular bustling red Christmas plant, have the reputation for being toxic to dogs and cats. However, it is important to note they are not deadly, only “mildly” toxic. Still, it is best to keep your furry friend separated if there is risk of them sneaking a bite.
What About Live Christmas Trees?
Christmas trees fall into the “mildly” toxic category for cats. Most of the time, live Christmas trees can be safe for your feline. A cat would need to ingest more needles than they are likely to for it to cause issues.
The makeup of tree needles may not cause issues, but the consumption of needles presents some risks. “Fallen needles can impact, obstruct, or even puncture the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, leading to severe illness” according to Are Christmas Trees Toxic to Cats?.
So, being around a tree is likely okay for your furry friends as long as they leave it alone. Another possible danger is the water of the tree. The aforementioned article raises a good point to not add additives: “cats will also often lap up the water at the base of the Christmas tree, so it’s important to not use any additives to prolong the life of the tree.”
Household Scents to be Aware Of
As you fill your house with the scents of candles and essential oils, always double check they are safe for your furry friend. Our four legged besties are far more sensitive than us…
“the area of the brain that analyzes odor is 40 times larger in dogs than in people. And cats appear to be able to smell 14 times better than people” (Scents That Are Harmful to Pets & Which Scents Are Safe).
In most cases, cats are more sensitive to potentially toxic scents than dogs. Also, cats tend to be able to get closer to the source. In this case, an essential oil diffuser or a lit candle can be a spill and safety hazard if you have an exploratory friend. This is important to keep in mind in addition to the safety of the scents.
Scents to Avoid
Let’s highlight some common scents that are dangerous: bergamot, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lavender, citrus, sandalwood, and types of mint. This is by no means an exhaustive list. As a good rule of thumb, search up any new scent’s safety with your type of pet before introducing it to your space.
Scent Lover Ideas
If you are looking for essential oil ideas, check out Safe Essential Oil Recipes for Homes with Pets For those candle lovers out there, much like myself, check out a candle warmer to replace your lit candles. This reduces fire risk and prevents any smoke irritation for your pets (or yourself!).
What to Look For: Allergic Reaction
Especially around the holidays, pay attention to your pet’s comfortability and health. Maybe you sense something small like lethargy or sneezing. Maybe it is something more concerning like stomach problems or irritation throughout the body. Like us, pets’ breathing may change when ingesting something toxic or allergy producing.
If any of these symptoms occur, take your pet as soon as possible. Make sure you have an emergency care plan in place, especially around the holidays. It is a good idea to have an emergency vet in mind if something happens to your pet. Double check there aren’t any specific holiday hours you should be aware of for your vet – emergency or regular.
Ultimately, all we want for ourselves and our family members – four legged or otherwise – is a safe and prosperous holiday season. The holidays can be stressful… But make sure to take a minute to check in with you and your furry friend’s wellbeing.
Being aware of what you bring into your space can go a long way. If you are unsure if it is pet-compatible, search it up! It can be the difference between a peaceful festive evening and a harrowing vet visit.
