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The 7 common winter plants that are toxic to dogs – and key symptoms to be aware of
Scroll down to see what symptoms you should look out for
WITH winter fast approaching, popular seasonal plants like holly and amaryllis will soon be popping up to make us feel festive.
But they could be posing serious threats to your dog.
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The experts at have revealed the seven popular autumn and winter plants that can be toxic to cats and dogs.
And if your beloved pet does get a hold of the festive greenery, there's some important signs of poisoning to keep an eye out for.
Holly
Though holly is a beautiful seasonal plant that screams Christmas, many people are unaware that it can be toxic to their pets.
If ingested, holly berries can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and distress in cats and dogs, as well as the leaves causing pain, bleeding and potential damage to the mouth and throat if chewed.
Though it may seem safe to decorate with holly if it is out of reach of your furry friends, the berries tend to loosen and drop to the floor as the plant dries - making them easy for your pet to mistake as a treat.
Autumn crocus
The autumn crocus is a beautiful plant often grown in gardens for its bright colour.
However, it is extremely poisonous to pets due to containing a toxic alkaloid called colchicine.
As well as severe gastrointestinal symptoms - bloody vomit, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and more - your pets eating autumn crocus can also cause liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure, damage to the central nervous system, and even death.
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Amaryllis
It may be wise to think twice before offering this popular Christmas gift and consider whether your loved one has any furry companions to protect.
The amaryllis plant’s leaves, stems and bulbs can be toxic if ingested by cats or dogs and even cause drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.
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Though it is unlikely that your pet would ingest enough of the amaryllis for it to cause severe damage, it is still one to protect your furry friends from.
Ivy
Ivy is another plant beloved through winter for its ability to retain its leaves and is seen in Christmas floristry, kept as an indoor plant, and grown on the outside of buildings.
However, ingesting ivy leaves can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, increased salivation, and diarrhoea in pets, and the sap can cause a painful contact rash.
Though ivy poisoning is unlikely to be life-threatening, it should not be overlooked.
Yew
Another evergreen plant associated with winter time, yew can be planted outdoors or potted and is often used in seasonal floral arrangements.
But it is crucial to keep your pets away from this plant.
A small nibble of this can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea in your pet, and any more than this can cause muscular tremors, difficulty breathing, seizures in dogs, and even sudden death from acute heart failure.
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Poinsettia
Known for its vibrant red and green colours, the poinsettia is often used in Christmas displays or offered as a seasonal gift.
However, it can also make your four-legged friends feel unwell.
Though unlikely to cause any severe gastrointestinal symptoms, ingesting poinsettia can irritate your pet's mouth and stomach due to its sap and make your companions very uncomfortable.
Mistletoe
Though mistletoe is a beloved part of Christmas decoration and tradition, both the American and European varieties of this plant can be toxic to pets.
Ingesting it will often result in mild gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, but in rare cases, it can cause low blood pressure, low heart rate, and difficulty breathing.
How to spot the signs and what you should do
If you catch your pet eating a potentially dangerous plant, you should not wait for symptoms to appear and should call your vet for advice straight away.
However, it isn’t always easy to keep an eye on our furry friends, and often we may not know they have ingested something toxic until symptoms start to appear.
Some symptoms to look out for include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Not eating as much as usual
- Excessive drooling
- Twitching
- Muscle tremors or seizures
- Struggling to breathe
- Irritation around the mouth
The experts at Clear It Waste say: "If you suspect your pet may have ingested something toxic, do not hesitate to seek help; contact your vet or an emergency out-of-hours vet as soon as possible.
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"It is also helpful if you can provide as much information as possible, such as what they may have eaten and how much, when they ate it, and when symptoms started.
"The best way to protect your furry friends is to prevent them from encountering toxic plants at all if possible, by making careful decisions about which plants you bring into your home and garden."
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