Pine Needles. Still, even a small quantity of this plant is enough to make your dog pretty sick. Though eating pine needles or sap can cause some gastrointestinal distress at the worst; no, Christmas trees are not toxic to family pets. 9) Horse Chestnut Tree, Aesculus hippocastanum, Sapindales order, Soapberry family. However, some countries have stricter laws than others. It is grown for landscaping purposes and is commonly sold as a Christmas tree. Cherry trees can grow almost anywhere except in very wet or very dry soil. 1) Winterberry, Ilex verticillata, Aquifoliales order, Holly family. They could also cause a bowel obstruction, which will either result in death or a very costly surgery to remove the blockage, among other health issues. Location found: They prefer rich and moist soil and are planted across America and have escaped into the wild in the Northeast. Found in southern Canada and Northern US. If you have a dog, you simply have to be extra careful during the holidays if you want to make sure that both you and your canine buddy will have a nice and stress-free time. Not all pine varieties are edible, however; the ponderosa pine and several others varieties of pine trees can cause illness and death in cattle and other animals.One evergreen conifer, the yew, contains a toxic substance that is potentially fatal if ingested by humans. Rose family, Almond \ Plum sub-family. Other names for this tree include swamp maple, scarlet Maple, curled maple, and … Christmas trees are also generally safe for pets.However, pine needles can cause damage to eyes if pets should run into the tree, such as a corneal laceration. All PayPal & Stripe contributions are greatly appreciated! Red maple trees. They grow in the Eastern half of the US except the northern border with Canada. Live Trees: Fir, spruce, and pine trees make excellent Christmas trees, but their oils can irritate your pet’s mouth, leading to excessive drooling or vomiting. My name is Jim Kernicky and I’ve had my dog walking and pet sitting business since 2008. I have been a dog walker and pet sitter for my business Fairmount Pet Service in the Art Museum area of Philadelphia since 2008. You can also place aluminum foil around the tree, or some sticky mats since many dogs, especially puppies, will avoid walking on these surface types. When you consider everything that goes in and around the Christmas tree, it is safe to say that the best course of action is to keep your dog away from it. ANSWER: Christmas trees – Curious cats and dogs are often delighted to explore the Christmas tree, which usually will be a variety of spruce, fir, and pine. We've answered the question, are Christmas trees poisonous to dogs, and now it's time to talk about different berries that often find their way into our homes during Christmas as part of various decorations and displays. In fact, ingesting over 20 berries can even be fatal to children. You should also make sure that your dog doesn’t mistake the branches of holly for a chew toy. 5) Oleander Tree, Nerium oleander, Gentianales order, Dogbane family. The poison is in the dose. Poisonous facts: All parts of the tree are poisonous but not fatal. Also, many people enjoy cutting their own berry branches during walks and making them into arrangements and decorations. It may sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but microchipping has been around for almost a quarter of a century. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Eating a few leaves or bulbs can also make your pup throw up, and cause low blood pressure, … Location found: Some species are found in dry and moist soils often in hardwood forests, others are found in wet and moist soils of floodplains and valleys. If you haven’t seen a Saluki or know much about it, we've got you covered. All of them. Location found: Wet to dry thickets, clearings, low woods, swamps, and bogs. Elliptical leaves are often doubly saw-toothed, sunken veins on top, often hairy below. One of the things that really signals Christmas is here, is putting up the Christmas tree and decorations. Ingestion of poinsettia can make your dog suffer from gastrointestinal problems and it can also cause skin irritations if it is touched or rubbed. The fruit is a follicle that contains downy seeds. In order to be sure that your dog is safe and sound during Christmas, you need to more than just the simple question “Are Christmas trees poisonous to dogs?” You should keep him away from the Christmas tree and allow him near it only when you are around and watching him. Their leaves are dark green, narrowly lance-shaped and in whorls of three. Why do dogs eat pine needles? These things will tear or puncture the dog's digestive tract. These trees are a little bit dangerous. Glass ornaments are a great example of unsafe Christmas materials for dogs. Most species in the rose family can be identified by having 5 sepals, 5 petals, many stamens in multiples of 5, and alternate leaves that are often oval with serrated edges. While it might be overkill to call live Christmas trees hazardous or harmful for your dog, it’s good to know the facts and be aware that there can be some health issues for certain dogs. That can sometimes be a hard thing to do, but you can take certain steps to ensure that your dog is safe. Pine (Pinus spp.) Also called black alder, Canada holly, English holly, European holly, American holly, coralberry, fever bush, and Michigan holly. Mostly found in the southeastern and central US depending on the species. Identification: Spreading shrub or small tree often forming thickets with white or pink-tinged flowers, hairy stalks, 1-3” long leaves that are saw-tootled and elliptical, dark green and smooth above, densely hairy and pale green beneath with berry-like fruit 1/4-3/8” in diameter that are either red, purple or black. Also called winged spindle and winged euonymus. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you accept the use of cookies. Walnut family. Flowers of the Oleander shrub are white, pink or red and have 5 sepals, 5 petals, and 5 stamens. While the exact mechanism of toxicity is unknown, some dogs develop an upset stomach after eating pine wood. Chemically processed pine oils and essences found in cleaning products, such as disinfectants and sanitizers, are toxic to dogs. Identification: Trees in the Yew family have conifer like needles with red or green berry-like fruit, and are slightly aromatic and resinous. In addition to plants and tree itself, your dog can have health problems from other things found on or around the Christmas tree. Also, some dogs will eat things without tasting them first, and that can be the case with some toxic berries as well. A phenomenon know as Christmas Tree Syndrome. ‘Live’ Christmas trees include scotch, fir, and pine. Ingestion of tree needles can be irritating the mouth and stomach, resulting in … While there are plenty of safe decorations for dogs, many other common Christmas dangers for dogs that you're likely to encounter include: This plant is traditionally used as a Christmas decoration and it is believed by ancient cultures that it can protect the household from various evil spirits. This does not represent a complete list of all poisonous plants and is only intended as a guide. But one thing the flowering plant’s beauty masks is how poisonous it is to dogs. Toxic element: Unknown. READ NEXT: Top 22 Safe Christmas Dog Toys. Identification: The bark is smooth and light gray and they can grow up to 100 feet high in the wild, though the common indoor versions are kept small by pruning. I sorted the trees by Order > Family > Species. You should know exactly what can cause problems. RECOMMENDED: 22 Dos and Don'ts When Spending Christmas with Dogs. Take a look at the trees below and make sure you don’t introduce toxins into your dog’s daily walks or romps in the yard. Also called weeping fig and benjamin fig. Some species have edible nuts, where the nuts are found inside the pit. The trees below are in the apple and plum genus or sub-families. If you fear your dog has ingested the leaves of a poisonous tree, contact your veterinarian immediately. Only maples are more recognizable. A large dog is more likely to pass an ingested acorn or two. If you've been wondering, “Are Christmas trees poisonous to dogs?,” you've also got to think about other dangers. I have a list of 17 trees that are poisonous to dogs and provide photos and other identifying features. The fruit tends to have a “seam” down one side and a pit in the center. Twigs are densely covered with hairs when young. Crab apples are considered an ornamental tree (plant a different tree). If your dog is a constant nibbler, then you should avoid planting trees poisonous to dogs or plan on keeping your dog away from these trees. Death is rare but can occur. For example, use some items that have a strong smell, preferably menthol or cinnamon, to spray your tree with. When you are not home, you should confine your dog to a different room and keep him away from your tree. Is Pine Cone Sap Toxic To Dogs? Location found: Found in warm climates on the edges of forests, streams and in fields and prairies and tends to grow in thickets in forests and marshes. The needles of many pine trees are toxic and may be dangerous, particularly to cattle and other livestock. Maple, Ash & Dogwoods are the other trees in the MAD acronym. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Other types of pine can cause digestive problems in cats and … RELATED: How To Include Your Dog In the Christmas Celebration. The first 8 poisonous trees for dogs are in the Rose and Walnut families. This will most likely require a trip to the vet and surgical removal. Leaves are lance-shaped, finely saw-toothed, shiny green above and paler below. Pine cones and pine straw can be dangerous for dogs. Pay attention to the things your dog eats and chews while walking in parks or other wild areas. As the saying goes, "out of sight, out of mind." The entire tree can be toxic to dogs if eaten, and can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea even with the consumption of a small amount of cones, which have the highest concentration of the toxic … They can easily break and cut your dog. If you notice that your dog has eaten some part of the Christmas tree, take him to the vet as soon as you can. Every dog owner knows that dogs will put almost anything in their mouths, and since they are often completely phased by Christmas trees, it is completely logical for you to wonder whether they are poisonous to dogs. Take a look at my article on Wild Plants Toxic to Dogs, as well as the page Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List from the ASPCA website. If you've been wondering “are Christmas trees poisonous to dogs?,” then chances are you're aware of the dangers of this holiday season for our pets. Yew trees, fruit trees, pine, and others are all common trees you can find in many backyards. Also known as the Eastern Black Walnut and American Walnut. Shrubs, along with trees and hardscape, help supply a "backbone" for the yard. Ivy. Although, there are a number of southern oaks whose leaves are not lobed, so be aware of that if you live in the southern states. Both the twigs and foliage of cherry trees can be fatal to dogs and cats if eaten, and in dogs, cats, and horses, brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, and shock. The highly poisonous fruit develops in pods. Identification: Oleander is a poisonous ornamental shrub that can grow to 18 feet high but is usually much smaller. 8 Trees poisonous to dogs in 2 tree families. BETTER OPTION: 8 Artificial Christmas Trees That Are Safe for Dogs. Poisonous facts: All parts of the shrub are poisonous and may cause death. But the Hedera species can still cause a tummy upset when ingested. Also called Pride of India, bead-tree, Cape lilac, syringa berrytree, Persian lilac, and Indian lilac. 4) Cherry Tree, Prunus serotina (Black Cherry), Rose family, Almond \ Plum sub-family. Poisonous facts: All parts of the tree are poisonous and can result in death. The ivy that tends to be used in wreaths and decorations is Hedera helix (not Toxicodendron radicans, the American poison ivy). Placing your tree in a corner is probably the best idea and chances that your dog will tip it over are not as high as they would be if you put the tree in the middle of the room. Splinters aren't the only danger to limb-chewing canines; some trees are poisonous and will lead to one very sick pooch. Pine needles are sharp enough to touch. Small dogs, however, could find themselves in a serious situation. They are spread throughout the Eastern half of the US Poisonous facts: Stems, leaves and seeds of the fruit are poisonous to dogs. White cedar, also known as the bell tree, is a popular ornamental that is extremely toxic to your pup. Christmas trees themselves are not poisonous to dogs. However, oils from fir trees can be mildly toxic and cause slight stomach problems and mouth irritations in dogs. They prefer areas with moist soil. It is one of the deciduous Hollies which loses its leaves in the fall. In most cases, parts of artificial trees will not cause any life-threatening situation for your dogs. Poisonous facts: Stems, leaves, and seeds are poisonous to dogs, ingestion can cause death. They are safer for dogs, and you can save yourself from worrying at all. Glandular dots beneath the leaves is a major identifying characteristic. Proper cooking, drying, and/or oxidation destroys the cyanide. With lots of new and exciting things around the house, Christmas can be both an exciting and confusing time for our dogs. The fir trees (as well as spruce and pine trees, which are also used as Christmas trees) are not poisonous to dogs. Identification: Hickory trees have pinnately compound leaves and large nuts found in a four-valved husk and with small yellow-green flowers in catkins. Identification: Identifying most oak trees is easy – look for acorns or the classic lobed leaves. Throw a ball instead. You can also surround the tree with a fence to make your dog unable to approach the Christmas tree completely. Donations will help me keep my business afloat and allow me to pay my bills. Identification: Grows up to 40 feet high though can grow much higher in perfect conditions. Almond / Plum sub-family: Identifying characteristics are plants with fleshy fruit and a 5-pointed star on the bottom. Also, keep in mind that it's not just the plants and foods around your home that can be seen as edible by your pet. Toxicity varies from type to type and from dog to dog, but the wrong dose can cause liver failure. Many common garden plants, such as apples and tulips, have some toxic elements that could prove dangerous to your dog.The majority won’t cause much more than an upset stomach, and most dogs won’t eat plants that are poisonous to them. However, since it has an extremely bitter taste and sharp leaves, dogs will most likely stay away from it. Prefers wetland habitats but can also be found in dry sand dunes and grassland. Mistletoe, on the other hand, can be quite poisonous to pets. Death will not come for you - trust me, he’s a friend of mine. If your dog eats tinsel, it can cause him to suffer from vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, lethargy and weight loss and it will probably be necessary to have a surgery to remove the tinsel from his stomach. Holly is actually pretty poisonous to humans as well, and can cause some serious digestive problems like vomiting and diarrhea. A lot of ornamental trees and plants that people buy are poisonous to pets. Location found: Found in moist soils, especially along streams or scattered in mixed forests. The flowers are about 1” long and white with red and yellow spots at the base of the flower. Poisonous facts: All parts of the shrub are poisonous and can result in death if ingested. It is an ornamental shrub planted in home gardens, parks and along highways on median strips. “Even a small exposure to any part of the plant can cause heart problems for dogs—changes in heart rate and rhythm,” Dr. Stern warns. Initially, dogs who consume grapes may vomit and be lethargic. There are about 600 species of oak trees with 90 species in the US alone. Of course, this is easier said than done if you live in an area with lots of pine trees. The needles are alternate and arranged in 2 flat rows. 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Things your dog from pet health Network hairless above with soft hairs beneath 20-30 stamens edible! Most likely stay away from your tree with is poisonous as well as people and causes an in. Needles, your dog suffer from gastrointestinal problems and mouth irritations in dogs vomit and lethargic...