Once again, it's the season of lights and decorations. Homes fill with everything that evokes Christmas: carols, turrones, and especially plants. It's common for us to want our pets to enjoy the holidays as much as we do, which is why we need to consider all the plants that could be harmful to them when decorating the house. Between 5% and 10% of veterinary consultations for poisoning are due to household plants.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Christmas botanicals can be toxic to our dogs and cats, so we want to highlight all the plants that should be kept out of their reach or replaced with an artificial alternative:
It's hard to resist buying a poinsettia during this season, seeing how it brings life to every corner, but we must remember that ingesting its leaves or sap can cause episodes of vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea, especially in our younger pets. Even just external contact can cause eye irritation or skin redness. Its effects are not lethal but can cause a difficult situation.
Who hasn't heard of the tradition of kissing under a mistletoe to preserve or achieve love? This seemingly harmless plant can be fatal for pets. Great care must be taken with both its leaves and its berries. The effects it can cause in our ARISTOPETS include salivation, vomiting, or respiratory difficulty.
The same goes for holly; its round red berries, as well as its seeds, can be lethal and must be kept as far away as possible from our pets, who innocently ingest them, attracted by their color and size. Large quantities are not needed to cause distress.
Finally, we cannot forget the fir tree. As a good ARISTOPETER, you should know that this tree is not lethal or even toxic to your pet, but its leaves, being so small and pointed, can end up perforating their intestines. If you have one at home, make sure it is out of your pet's reach.
And now that you have all the information, the most important thing remains... enjoy this Christmas with your pets! Happy holidays ARISTOPETERS.