The holiday season has begun, and all those wonderful holiday plants are arriving in local greenhouses, garden centers and retail stores.  Holiday decorations often include flowers and shrubs.  Unfortunately, while these items are pretty, many of the most popular plants are toxic to pets.  It is noted that any plant, even non-toxic plants can cause coughing or choking, or stomach upset when swallowed.  Here is a list of popular holiday plants that should be kept away from your pets:

Poinsettia Plants:

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias have been considered safe for the holiday home since the 1970's. Eating several leaves can give you a stomach ache, and the sap can cause skin rash. 

Pines, Spruces, Balsam and Firs (Christmas trees and greens):
These coniferous trees are commonly found in homes at holiday time. They may be harmful, if ingested in very large amounts. Ingestion of small amounts may result in varying degrees of localized irritation and gastrointestinal upset and a primary concern would be aspiration or airway obstruction. Pine cones are not toxic.

Holly, Mistletoe, Jerusalem Cherry and Bittersweet:
These are all poisonous holiday plants and should not be located where pets can reach them. Watch for dried berries that may have fallen to the floor.

Holly:
Eating more than 2 berries can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Holly berries are significantly poisonous, ingestion of 20 berries can mean death to a child or pet.

Mistletoe:
The berries, leaves, and stem are all considered toxic.  All parts of mistletoe contain toxins. If ingested, mistletoe can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.  If you hang mistletoe in your home during the holidays, place it in a piece of netting or a plastic sandwich bag to prevent leaves and berries from dropping to the ground where kids and pets can eat them.

Jerusalem Cherry:
This plant contains bright orange to scarlet colored berries. The entire plant is toxic. Ingestion can cause vomiting, skin redness, drowsiness or restlessness, and hallucinations.  Seizures are possible, but rare.

Bittersweet:
All parts of this plant are considered toxic. The unripe berries contain the highest concentration of Solanine, which cause heart rate below 60, sedation, and headaches

Rosary Pea or Jequirity Bean:
These berries are very dangerous. They can be swallowed whole, but can be life-threatening if they are chewed prior to swallowing. Vomiting and abdominal pain occurs within a few hours after swallowing, followed by bloody diarrhea.