GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Holiday plants are a fun tradition that brings some life into a season when our outside gardens are sleeping.
But if you have pets that like to chew on leaves, it is best to find out which varieties are toxic and which won’t hurt your furry friends.
First, avoid these plants as they are toxic to animals.
- Amaryllis is in the lily family. Although not as toxic as true lilies the leaves, flowers and bulbs of the amaryllis can make your pets sick.
- Paperwhites or narcissus are another popular holiday choice that you should skip if your pets chew plants. The bulbs specifically can cause big problems.
- Both the leaves and berries of Holly plants cause stomach issues in pets.
- English ivy is mildly toxic and can give your furry friends an upset tummy.
- If you have Mistletoe in your house, hang it high and out of reach from pets.
- Hellebores are special and very pretty, but skip them if you have a furry pal that gets into plants. Pets usually avoid more than one nibble on a hellebore because they are very bitter.
- Known for its bright orange berries. Winterberry is commonly used for holiday décor. Leaves and berries are mildly toxic for both dogs and cats.
- The blooms of Cyclamen are a fan favorite to add some color in the winter season. Cyclamen are one of the more toxic plants to your pets.
- Kalanchoe is a slightly less toxic option with generally mild symptoms, but skip them if your pet nibbles plants.
- It’s a similar story for Norfolk Island Pines, mild tummy upset is possible if ingested.
- And of course, there is the Poinsettia. This most popular holiday plant is very mildly toxic to pets but can cause some tummy troubles or skin irritation.
Not to worry...there are some non-toxic options for you to enjoy indoors without worrying about your fur babies.
- Rosemary is a safe option that also smells fantastic!
- Spruce and fir Christmas trees are also safe. For cats, avoid pine varities.
- And finally, Christmas cactus is always a good choice for color and safety…
The bottom line is… you know your pet. Make the best decision possible to keep them safe and happy during this festive season.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch more of Grow with KARE:
Watch the latest gardening tips and tricks in our YouTube playlist and don't forget to join the Grow with KARE Facebook group: