Mistletoe
Phoradendron spp.
Dogs: Moderate
Cats: Moderate
Plant Information
American Mistletoe, European Mistletoe
Santalaceae
garden
Moderately Toxic
Toxicity Details
all parts, especially berries
Lectins (phoratoxin), polysaccharides
1-4 hours
moderate
Symptoms to Watch For
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Low heart rate
- Collapse (large ingestion)
What to Do
See vet if more than a few berries ingested. Monitor cardiovascular signs. Most holiday mistletoe exposures are mild.
About Mistletoe
Mistletoe toxicity is commonly overestimated — while it can cause serious effects with large ingestion, most holiday exposures involve small amounts and result in only mild GI upset. Still, keep it well away from pets.
Safe Alternatives
These plants provide a similar look but are non-toxic to pets: