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No one is permitted to sell, solicit or negotiate an insurance policy without a producer license in the state in which the plan is sold, and all prospects should be directed to Figo Pet Insurance. The information contained in this website is for illustrative purposes only and coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions, restrictions, limitations, exclusions (including pre-existing conditions), and terms of the policy documentation issued by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state’s approval and coverage may vary by state. Coverage underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC), a Delaware Insurance Company, 11333 North Scottsdale Road Suite 160 Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Live Vet and the Figo Pet Cloud are separate non-insurance services unaffiliated with IAIC. Figo Pet Insurance's California license number is 0K02763.

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Keeping cats safe around holiday plants

December 22, 2016

Traditional winter holiday plants can be toxic to pets—especially cats. In this blog, veterinarian Dr. Lee discusses some common Christmas plants and how pet parents can keep cats safe.

Keeping cats safe around holiday plants

Q:We just welcomed two new kittens, Jingle and Elf, into our family. They love to play with plants, so I need to know about cat-safe Christmas plants. What else should we do to keep our new family members safe?

A:Most winter holiday plants are reasonably safe. If Jingle and Elf eat a bit of poinsettia, Christmas cactus or holly, they may lose their appetite and energy, or even develop vomiting or diarrhea, but these problems usually subside quickly without treatment.

Ingestion of amaryllis can cause similar clinical signs as well as abdominal pain and tremors. The toxicity of mistletoe, a parasitic vine, is influenced by the plant on which it was growing, so any berries that drop can cause substantial trouble. Play it safe by buying the artificial variety.

Lilies, though not traditional Christmas plants, are often included in flower arrangements and are highly toxic to cats. Even a tiny bit of leaf, flower or pollen can cause life-threatening kidney failure.

Editor’s Note: Here is a full list of toxic and non-toxic plants for pets.

Your Christmas tree poses additional risks. Since many kittens climb trees, you should secure yours to a nearby window frame or wall to prevent it from toppling. Cover the tree stand so your kittens won’t drink water tainted by preservatives, tree oil, and bacteria.

Decorate with unbreakable ornaments—but not tinsel or ribbon, as almost every cat will eat them and then develop a life-threatening intestinal obstruction. If Jingle and Elf chew the electrical wires, hide them inside a plastic shower rod cover.

Finally, remember to tuck a few cat toys under the tree.


Lee Pickett, V.M.D. practices companion animal medicine in Pennsylvania. Contact her at askdrlee@insurefigo.com.