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If you witnessed or strongly suspect that your pet ingested a toxic plant, this is considered an \u201cORANGE\u201d \u2013 or urgent case \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for guidance on what to do next. If veterinary care is advised, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital ahead of your arrival. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Pet parents are often aware of those more common holiday pet toxins like the box of chocolates, the snack mix with macadamia nuts and raisins, the sugarless gum in the Christmas stockings, the moldy food in the trash, and the medications in grandma\u2019s purse. So, kudos to all of you for pet-proofing and keeping your house pet-safe! But when it comes to the decor and food that accompanies the holiday season, some toxins go unrecognized. Here\u2019s a list of six common holiday items that you may not realize are toxic to your pets!<\/p>\n Homemade<\/span> salt dough ornaments are popular amongst crafty parents as they preserve a young child\u2019s handprint or even a pet\u2019s paw print. But if your pet eats one,<\/span> sodium poisoning <\/span>can <\/span>transpire<\/span>.<\/span> Signs include vomiting<\/span> and excessive water intake. In severe cases, sodium poisoning can cause muscle tremors, seizures, or death.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Both real and artificial <\/span>Christmas trees<\/span><\/a> come with multiple toxic and non-toxic hazards for your pets. With real trees, the water dish can contain toxic bacteria, pesticides, and mold. Signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth irritation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Artificial Christmas tree flocking (fake snow) is mildly toxic, but can also be dangerous\u00a0if swallowed since it can lead to an intestinal obstruction. Signs of such an obstruction include vomiting and diarrhea.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While non-toxic, other common hazards include glass ornaments, hooks, edible decorations like stringed popcorn or candy canes, ribbon or tinsel, and electrical cords. Learn more <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Before bringing any type of plant or bouquet into your home, always use the <\/span>ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List<\/span><\/a> to triple-check that they are not toxic to your pet. You can also use the app <\/span>PlantSnap<\/span><\/a> to help identify any unknown plants!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite popular belief, poinsettias are only mildly toxic to pets. These plants are of much greater concern:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about these plants <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Liquid potpourri contains chemicals called cationic detergents that are especially dangerous to cats! If eaten, liquid potpourri can cause severe chemical burns in the mouth, as well as fever, difficulty breathing, and tremors. Solid potpourri can also be toxic and cause an intestinal blockage if eaten.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many types of <\/span>essential oils<\/span><\/a> including Wintergreen, Pine Oil, Pennyroyal Oil, and Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) are extremely toxic to pets. <\/span>Other\u202fcommon essential oils toxic to cats and dogs include cinnamon, citrus,\u202fclove, peppermint, sweet birch, thyme, and\u202fYlang\u202fYlang. Additionally,\u202fanise, garlic, Juniper, and yarrow are also toxic to dogs. Eucalyptus, oregano, and lavender are also toxic to cats.\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Note:<\/span><\/i>\u202fThis\u202flist includes\u202fthe most common toxic essential oils but\u202fis\u202fnot limited to just these ones. Always proceed with caution when using essential oils around any type of pet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The liquid inside a snow globe often <\/span>contains<\/span> ethylene glycol<\/span>,<\/span> which is the same toxin found in\u202f<\/span><\/span>antifreeze<\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/span>So<\/span> when broken, snow globes pose a danger to your pets. <\/span>Concentration levels <\/span>of ethylene glycol can <\/span>va<\/span>ry<\/span>,<\/span> so keep pets away from spills until the<\/span> liquid <\/span>and broken glass <\/span>are completely cleaned up.<\/span> <\/span>Signs<\/span> of ethylene glycol ingestion<\/span> include vomiting, a<\/span> drunken gait, disorientation, and increased thirst and urination.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Not only can tinsel cause a foreign body obstruction,<\/span> but certain types<\/span> can also be toxic. <\/span>T<\/span>insel made before 1970 can <\/span>contain<\/span> lead which may <\/span>cause lead poisoning in your pet. Also, depending on the material, some tinsel can also cause zinc poisoning in pets. Common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, hemolysis<\/span> (rupturing of red blood cells)<\/span>, anemia, and <\/span>pancreatitis<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you have any of these items in your home, we hope this information helps you pet-proof as needed or remove any <\/span>unnecessary<\/span> item<\/span>s. If your pet does <\/span>get into<\/span> any <\/span>toxins this holiday season<\/span>, you can contact a pet poison helpline such as <\/span><\/span>ASPCA<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>Animal Poison Control<\/span><\/span><\/a> or <\/span><\/span>Pet Poison Helpline<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span> If your pet <\/span>requires<\/span> veterinary care, our Oakdale and St. Paul ERs are open 24\/7, including holidays.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More Reading:\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n1. Salt Dough Ornaments<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Christmas](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/3-1.png\")
<\/p>\n2. Christmas Trees<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n3. Holiday Plants<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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![\"essential](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/5-1.png\")
<\/p>\n4. Essential Oils & Potpourri<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n5. Snow Globes<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n6. Tinsel Garland<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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