Holiday Plants and Pets in Canada
Holiday plants and pets meet in December all at once: poinsettias from the grocery store, an amaryllis bulb from a colleague, a bouquet from the in-laws, a wreath on the door and a tree in the living room. Most of it is less dangerous than its reputation — and one item, the lilies tucked into holiday bouquets, is far more dangerous than most people know.
Quick answer: according to the ASPCA, Christmas cactus is non-toxic and poinsettia only mildly irritating — its deadly reputation is a myth. Amaryllis, paperwhites, holly and mistletoe are toxic, so keep them out of reach. The real emergency is lilies in holiday bouquets, which can cause kidney failure in cats, pollen included. If a pet eats something, call your vet straight away.
The December plants, one by one
Ordered from safest to most dangerous. Every status comes from the ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plant lists, the reference North American vets use.
| Plant | ASPCA status | What it does | What to do at home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) | Non-toxic | On the ASPCA non-toxic list for cats and dogs. | The safest flowering gift for a house with pets. Eating any plant can still upset a stomach. |
| Poinsettia | Mildly irritating | Mild to moderate stomach irritation. The ASPCA calls its reputation as highly toxic a myth. | Keep it out of reach so nobody chews it, but a nibble is not an emergency. |
| Holly | Toxic | Can cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach upset; the ASPCA also warns of rarer heart-related effects. | The berries are what pets go for. Keep wreaths and sprigs well out of reach. |
| Mistletoe | Toxic | Stomach upset, and in rare cases heart-related problems, according to the ASPCA. | Hang it high, and pick up any berries that drop. |
| Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) | Toxic | Toxic to dogs, cats and horses. | A bulb in a gift box at floor level is a chew toy to a dog. Pot it and put it up high. |
| Paperwhite and other narcissus | Toxic | Toxic to dogs and cats. The bulb is the most poisonous part; larger amounts can cause more serious effects. | Paperwhites are often forced in a bowl of water and pebbles — a bowl a pet can drink from. |
| Lilies in bouquets (Lilium, Hemerocallis) | Emergency for cats | Can cause kidney failure in cats. Even pollen groomed off the fur is enough to matter. | Holiday bouquets often include lilies. In a house with a cat, take them out of the arrangement. |
| Christmas tree (fir, spruce, pine) | Low toxicity | Not particularly toxic, says the ASPCA. Tree water can carry fertilizer and bacteria; tinsel can block a cat’s gut. | Cover the stand, skip the tinsel, and anchor a tree a cat might climb. |
This is a summary of the ASPCA’s published lists, checked October 2026, not veterinary advice. The ASPCA notes its lists are not exhaustive and that eating any plant can make a dog or cat vomit.
Lilies in a bouquet: the one that is an emergency
Lilies are not a Christmas plant, which is exactly why they catch people out. They arrive inside holiday bouquets and centrepieces, and the ASPCA warns that true lilies and daylilies can cause kidney failure in cats. It does not take a mouthful: a cat that brushes past the flowers and grooms the pollen off its fur can be poisoned.
In a house with a cat
Take the lilies out of the arrangement before it comes inside, or ask the florist to leave them out. If you think a cat has chewed a lily or has pollen on its fur, call a vet immediately rather than waiting to see whether anything happens.
Poinsettia is not the villain
Poinsettia carries the worst reputation of any holiday plant and has the least to answer for. The ASPCA describes mild to moderate stomach irritation from its sap and calls the idea that it is highly toxic a myth. Keep it where it will not be chewed — mostly for the plant’s sake, since a chewed poinsettia drops its leaves — but a nibble is not a reason to panic. Our poinsettia care guide covers keeping it alive.
Bulbs at floor level
Amaryllis and paperwhites are the two December bulbs, and both are toxic; for paperwhites the ASPCA singles out the bulb as the most poisonous part. The risk is in how they arrive: a loose bulb in a gift box under the tree, or paperwhites forced in a shallow bowl of water a dog can drink from. Pot the amaryllis and stand it on a shelf; keep a paperwhite bowl somewhere pets cannot reach. Timing for both is in forcing bulbs indoors.
The tree, the water and the tinsel
The ASPCA does not consider Christmas trees particularly toxic. The hazards are around them: the water in the stand, which can carry fertilizer and bacteria; tinsel, which cats love and which can block the digestive tract if swallowed; and the tree itself, which a climbing cat can pull over. Cover or block off the stand, skip tinsel altogether, and anchor the tree to a wall or window frame. Keeping a cut tree fresh is covered in Christmas tree care.
If your pet eats something
Call your veterinarian, or an emergency animal hospital after hours, straight away. Have the plant or its label in front of you, and if you can, note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not try home remedies. The ASPCA also runs an Animal Poison Control Center by phone; a consultation fee may apply.
The rest of the year: the everyday houseplants are covered in pet-safe houseplants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are poinsettias poisonous to cats and dogs?
Not seriously. The ASPCA describes the effect as mild to moderate stomach irritation and calls the idea that poinsettias are highly toxic a myth. Keep the plant out of reach so it does not get chewed, but a nibble is not an emergency.
Is a Christmas cactus safe for cats?
Yes. Christmas cactus is on the ASPCA list of plants that are non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it the safest flowering plant to give a household with pets. Eating any plant can still cause a bit of stomach upset.
Is amaryllis poisonous to pets?
Yes. The ASPCA lists amaryllis as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and an unpotted bulb sitting in a gift box at floor level is the real risk, so pot it up and keep it out of reach.
Which holiday plant is most dangerous to cats?
Lilies. They are not a Christmas plant as such, but they turn up in holiday bouquets, and the ASPCA warns they can cause kidney failure in cats. Even pollen a cat grooms off its fur can be enough. If a cat lives in the house, take the lilies out of any arrangement.
Are paperwhites safe around dogs?
No. Paperwhites are a type of narcissus, which the ASPCA lists as toxic to dogs and cats, with the bulb as the most poisonous part. Forced paperwhites often sit in a bowl of water and pebbles, so keep the bowl somewhere a pet cannot drink from it.
Is Christmas tree water bad for pets?
It can be. The ASPCA warns that tree water can carry fertilizer and bacteria that upset a pet's stomach. Cover the stand or block it off, and do not add anything to the water: plain tap water is all a cut tree needs anyway.
What should I do if my pet eats a holiday plant?
Call your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital straight away, and have the plant or its label with you. For lilies and cats, do not wait for symptoms. The ASPCA also runs an Animal Poison Control Center by phone; a consultation fee may apply.