Is Mistletoe Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Mistletoe (Phoradendron spp. (American), Viscum album (European)), also called American mistletoe or European mistletoe, is toxic to both cats and dogs.

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).

Why

Two different plants are sold as mistletoe. American mistletoe (Phoradendron) is the one used in most holiday decorations in North America, while European mistletoe (Viscum album) is common in Europe. Both contain lectins and other proteins that irritate the gut, and Phoradendron also contains phoratoxins, which can slow the heart and lower blood pressure.

The ASPCA lists American mistletoe as toxic to cats and dogs. In most pets that eat a small amount, the result is vomiting and diarrhea. Larger amounts can cause a slow heart rate, low blood pressure, stumbling and trouble breathing, although veterinary poison centers report that these serious effects are rare.

How to recognize it

Mistletoe has bunches of small, thick, oval green leaves on forked, jointed green stems, with small white, waxy berries. It is usually sold as a dried or fresh sprig tied with a ribbon and hung in a doorway. Many store-bought bunches have plastic berries instead of real ones.

Signs to watch for

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Drooling
• Lethargy or depression
• Slow heart rate (with larger amounts)
• Weakness, stumbling or collapse from low blood pressure (rare)
• Difficulty breathing (rare)

What to do

• Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline, and say whether the mistletoe was American or European if you know.
• Bring the sprig or packaging, and check whether the berries are real or plastic.
• Hang mistletoe high and away from furniture pets can climb, and sweep up fallen leaves and berries.

Is European mistletoe more dangerous than American mistletoe?

Probably, yes. Pet Poison Helpline and human poison control centers describe American mistletoe (Phoradendron) as less toxic than European mistletoe (Viscum album). Poisonings and deaths in people have been reported after eating European mistletoe, while large reviews of American mistletoe exposures in people found that most had no symptoms at all.

Data on pets are thinner. A veterinary toxicology review from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center found that the dogs reported after eating Phoradendron mostly showed depression or vomiting. Older references, including the Merck Veterinary Manual, still describe severe signs and possible cardiovascular collapse after a large enough dose. Because the amount eaten and the species matter, treat any mistletoe as a reason to call a vet, especially if the plant came from Europe or was cut fresh.

What if my pet ate plastic mistletoe berries?

Many shops replace the real berries with plastic ones because the real berries drop easily. That removes the plant toxin from the berries, but the leaves and stems may still be real.

Plastic berries cannot be digested. One or two may pass, but a pet that swallows several can develop a blockage in the stomach or intestines. Call your vet and watch for repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, a painful belly or straining with no stool.

Does a dried mistletoe sprig still count as toxic?

Yes. Drying does not make the plant safe, and dried sprigs often shed brittle leaves and berries onto the floor as they age. Cats are especially likely to find and play with them.

• Hang mistletoe from a ceiling hook rather than above a doorway a cat can jump to.
• Check the floor under it every day during the holidays.
• Wrap the bunch in netting or choose a fully artificial version with no real plant material.
• Throw it away in a closed trash can when the holidays are over.

Pet-safe alternatives

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

• Non-toxicChristmas cactus
• Non-toxicAfrican violet

Common questions

Is mistletoe poisonous to pets?

Cats: Toxic. Dogs: Toxic. Yes. Mistletoe is toxic to cats and dogs, and large amounts can affect the heart and blood pressure.

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

Not within your pets' reach. Hang mistletoe high and away from furniture pets can climb, and sweep up fallen leaves and berries.

What should I do if my pet chews mistletoe?

Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline, and say whether the mistletoe was American or European if you know. Bring the sprig or packaging, and check whether the berries are real or plastic.

Which pet-safe plants can I grow instead of mistletoe?

Christmas cactus and African violet are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

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Sources

• Pet Poison Helpline. Holiday Toxins.
• National Capital Poison Center (Poison Control). Is Mistletoe Poisonous?
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
• Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.