No Touching for Cats and Dogs! 9 Common Lunar New Year Plants in Hong Kong That Pose Risks to Pet Health

"Flowers bring wealth and add beauty." It is a common tradition for many Hong Kong families to decorate their homes with Lunar New Year plants and flowers. However, it turns out that several of these festive plants are toxic and harmful to pets, ranging from causing mild vomiting to potentially fatal poisoning. To prevent any accidents, pet owners should avoid purchasing the following 9 Lunar New Year plants!

1. Narcissus

The entire narcissus plant is toxic to dogs. Its bulbs, flower buds, and roots contain highly toxic alkaloids from the Amaryllidaceae family. Ingestion can lead to symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in cats and dogs. If the central nervous system is affected, trembling, seizures, and irregular heart rhythms may occur.

2. Lily

Dogs have a lower toxicity response to lilies, which may result in symptoms such as low blood pressure, coma, or irregular heart rhythms. However, lilies are highly toxic to cats and even a slight ingestion of pollen or water can potentially lead to acute kidney failure.

3. Gladiolus (Sword Lily)

Sword lilies have highly toxic bulbs. Dogs that come into contact with them may experience symptoms such as excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and lethargy.

4. Chrysanthemum

If cats or dogs ingest chrysanthemums, they may develop skin allergies, skin inflammation, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

5. Rhododendron

Grayanotoxins are present throughout the rhododendron plant. Just a few leaves of the plant can cause oral irritation, weakness in limbs, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats and dogs. The toxins can also affect the pet's nervous system, impacting heart function and leading to symptoms such as heart failure, difficulty breathing, coma, or even death.

6. Hydrangea

Hydrangeas contain amygdalin, which, when metabolized by the pet's body, forms hazardous cyanide. Within a few hours, pets may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, indicating gastrointestinal discomfort.

7. Lucky Bamboo

The toxicity of lucky bamboo primarily resides in its leaves and stems. In cats, it can cause abnormal excitement or depression, gastrointestinal disturbances, and dilated pupils. Dogs may experience excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and a depressed mood.

8. Dieffenbachia seguine

This plant contains toxic substances like calcium oxalate crystals and saponins. While not life-threatening, it can cause oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting in cats and dogs.

9. Kalanchoe/Flaming Katy

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