Holiday Plants: Naughty or Nice?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP
www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Before you decorate for the holidays with festive flowers and plants, keep your pets in mind!  Not all holiday plants make the "nice" list.  Here are a few plants you should keep away from your pets.

The "Naughty" List:

• Poinsettias - This is a popular holiday plant, but it's also irritating to your pet's stomach if ingested.  In most cases, your pet might have an upset stomach with mild vomiting.  
• Mistletoe - If you're looking to find someone under the mistletoe this year, make sure that it's not your pet!  Even a small amount of mistletoe can severely upset your pet's stomach.  If they ingest a lot of it, the plant can even be lethal.  
• Christmas Tree Water - If you have a real Christmas tree in your home, make sure that any water you use for your tree is not accessible to your pet.  Many times, the chemicals in the water are toxic.  Be sure to check to see if yours is pet-safe.
• Holly - Holly is toxic to pets and the spiny leaves can lead to mechanical injuries as well.  If your cat or dog ingests holly, be sure to give us a call.

If you have any questions about your pet's health during the holiday season, don't hesitate to contact one of our offices below!

The Cat Hospital

877-228-4131

5th Avenue Cat Clinic

718-398-1187

Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital

718-782-8387

Don’t forget to connect with us on social media!

Facebook - Twitter - YouTube - Pinterest

Poisonous Plants to Avoid

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Getting ready to plant your spring garden?  As you pick out the trees, flowers, and shrubs you want to decorate your yard, don’t forget about your pet!  If your cat or dog spends a lot of time outdoors, you need to be able to accurately identify which plants are poisonous to your pets.  Many common household and outdoor plants can be highly toxic to your furry friend.  Here are a few plants we recommend avoiding this spring.

Poisonous Plants:

• Tulips
• Sago Palm
• Spanish Thyme
• Rhododendron
• Yew
• Chrysanthemum
• English Ivy
• Pothos
• Castor Bean

Many of these poisonous plants cause similar effects, ranging from irritation, difficulty breathing, and incoordination to severe gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular problems.  If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these plants, contact Bregman Vet Group for immediate care.

Poisonous Spring Lilies

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Warmer weather has left us excited for spring!  While you might be looking forward to adding new flowers and plants to your home, pet owners need to be extra careful.  We remind pet owners that certain seasonal plants can be deadly to our feline friends.

Although lilies are a common springtime flower, pet owners should think twice before keeping them around the house.  It is normal for many cats to eat plants and grass in small amounts, but these seasonal plants are dangerous if ingested by your pet.  Calla and Peace lilies can irritate a cat’s mouth and esophagus, while Lilies of the Valley can cause abnormal heart rhythm. 

The Easter lily is the biggest danger to your cat.  Even licking the pollen of the Easter lily can cause your pet to suffer from acute kidney failure.  If a cat eats part of the Easter lily, whether it is the leaf, flower, or pollen, they will begin vomiting and urinating frequently.  Early veterinary treatment is critical in this situation. 

The Food and Drug Administration is warning pet owners of these serious dangerous and reminding people to keep these seasonal plants away from pets.  If you suspect your pet is suffering from ingesting a poisonous plant, contact Bregman Vet Group immediately.  We can help make sure that your pet receives the treatment it needs.