Are Christmas Trees Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Christmas trees (Abies, Picea and Pinus spp. (fir, spruce, pine)) are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs.

Are Christmas trees toxic to cats?

Cats · Mildly toxic

Mildly. Christmas trees are mildly toxic to cats. Signs to watch for: drooling; vomiting; diarrhea; pawing at the mouth; loss of appetite, straining or a painful belly if many needles were swallowed.

Are Christmas trees toxic to dogs?

Dogs · Mildly toxic

Mildly. Christmas trees are mildly toxic to dogs. Dogs show the same signs as cats. The ASPCA describes Christmas trees as not particularly toxic, and Pet Poison Helpline says the oils are present in low concentrations and are not expected to cause major toxicity.

Why

Most Christmas trees are firs, spruces or pines. Their needles and sap contain oils that can irritate the mouth and stomach, so a pet that chews on a branch may drool or vomit. The ASPCA describes Christmas trees as not particularly toxic, and Pet Poison Helpline says the oils are present in low concentrations and are not expected to cause major toxicity.

The bigger concerns are physical. Needles do not digest well, and a pet that swallows many of them can have stomach upset or, rarely, a blockage or a puncture in the gut. The water in the tree stand can grow bacteria, and a tree that is not anchored can tip over onto a climbing cat or a dog playing nearby.

How to recognize it

A Christmas tree is an evergreen conifer with short, stiff needles. Firs have soft, flat needles, spruces have sharp, square needles that roll between the fingers, and pines have longer needles in bundles. It is usually sold cut and stands in a water-filled base during the holidays.

Signs to watch for

Drooling
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Pawing at the mouth
Loss of appetite, straining or a painful belly if many needles were swallowed

What to do

Remove needles from the mouth and offer fresh water.
Call your veterinarian if vomiting continues, or if your pet stops eating or seems to have belly pain.
Vacuum fallen needles often and cover the tree stand so pets cannot drink the water.

Is Christmas tree water bad for dogs and cats?

Christmas tree water can cause stomach upset in dogs and cats. The ASPCA warns that tree water can become a breeding ground for bacteria and may contain fertilizer, which can lead to nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Many owners also add commercial tree preservatives. Pet Poison Helpline says that even when preservatives are added, drinking the water usually causes only mild stomach upset.

Still, there is no reason to let a pet drink it. Use a stand with a cover or a tree skirt tucked over the bowl, and keep a full bowl of fresh water nearby so the tree stand is not the most interesting water in the room. If you add anything to the water, keep the bottle so you can read the ingredients to your vet.

Which evergreens used in holiday decor are actually dangerous?

Firs, spruces and pines are mild, but holiday wreaths, garlands and outdoor greenery can include plants that are far more serious. Check what is in mixed greenery before bringing it indoors.

Yew (Taxus): its needles and seeds are highly toxic to cats and dogs, and the ASPCA lists sudden heart failure as a possible effect.
Buddhist pine or yew pine (Podocarpus): not a true pine, and listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
Holly and mistletoe: often wired into wreaths and garlands.
Norfolk Island pine, sometimes sold as a small potted Christmas tree, is listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA.

Is an artificial tree safer for pets?

An artificial Christmas tree removes the needle oils and the tree water, but it is not risk-free. Pet Poison Helpline notes that chewing and swallowing artificial tree material can irritate the stomach and, if enough is eaten, cause a blockage. Flocked trees shed their fake snow onto the floor, so vacuum regularly if your pet licks or chews it.

Whatever the tree, the decorations often cause more trouble than the branches. Tinsel, ornaments, hooks and light cords are the main hazards; our Christmas pet safety guide covers them. For both real and artificial trees, anchor the trunk to a wall or ceiling hook so a climbing cat cannot pull it over.

Pet-safe alternatives

Looking for something similar without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Common questions

Are Christmas trees poisonous to pets?

Cats: Mildly toxic. Dogs: Mildly toxic. Only mildly. Live Christmas trees can irritate the mouth and stomach, but serious poisoning is not expected.

Is it safe to keep Christmas trees in a home with cats and dogs?

Yes, as long as your pets cannot reach them. Vacuum fallen needles often and cover the tree stand so pets cannot drink the water.

What should I do if my pet chews Christmas trees?

Remove needles from the mouth and offer fresh water. Call your veterinarian if vomiting continues, or if your pet stops eating or seems to have belly pain.

Which pet-safe plants can I grow instead of Christmas trees?

Christmas cactus and areca palm are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

← All plants

Sources

Pet Poison Helpline. Holiday Toxins.
ASPCA. Holiday Safety Tips.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.

If your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away and bring a photo or piece of the plant. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).