Mistletoe (American and European) is toxic to dogs. The toxic properties are viscumin and lectins – (V. album), and toxalbumin, pharatoxin, viscumin – (P. serotinum), which can cause gastrointestinal upset, low blood pressure and low heart rate. What is mistletoe? Botanical name Phoradendron serotinum (North American) and Viscum album (European) Common names Mistletoe, English mistletoe, … Read more
During the Christmas period, many homes are decorated with plants. Knowing which ones are safe and which ones are potentially dangerous can save pet owners an emergency trip to the veterinarian. This list includes some of the most common Christmas plants and includes the toxic properties.
Although many of the plants are labelled non-toxic, ingestion of large amounts of any plant matter can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Gold dust dracaena (Dracaena surculosa) is toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is steroidal saponins which cause vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, hypersalivation and incoordination.
Philodendron birkin is toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that penetrate the delicate tissues of the mouth and throat causing intense pain and burning.
Seasol is not toxic to animals and is safe to use on plants in homes with pets as long as care is taken.
Is white spruce toxic to dogs? What is white spruce Care Christmas tree safety Christmas plants toxic and non-toxic to dogs
White spruce (Picea glauca) is non-toxic to dogs and is safe to keep in homes with pets as long as precautions are taken. Large ingestions of white spruce needles can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) is non-toxic to dogs and is safe to keep in homes with pets as long as precautions are taken.
Monstera deliciosa ‘albo’ is toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that penetrate the oropharynx causing intense pain, burning and swelling.
Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is toxic to dogs. The toxic principles are ficin and ficusin, which are present in the milky sap. This causes ocular, oral, dermal and gastrointestinal irritation. There are unverified reports that fiddle-leaf fig also contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, however, there are no verified sources and it appears more likely that writers are confusing fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) with fiddleleaf philodendron (Philodendron bipennifolium), which does contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
