American Mistletoe

Yes, American mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens) is toxic to cats. It contains compounds that can cause significant gastrointestinal and cardiovascular distress, and even small amounts of berries, leaves, or stems warrant immediate veterinary attention.

Mild signs include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, typically appearing within a few hours of ingestion. Larger ingestions can cause more serious symptoms such as wobbly walking, a slow or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, labored breathing, or collapse.

Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away — do not wait for symptoms to appear. If your cat shows any cardiac signs such as a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat, weakness, seizures, or collapse, treat it as a same-hour emergency.

Mild GI signs like vomiting and drooling typically appear within a few hours of ingestion. Cardiac signs from larger ingestions can develop quickly as well. Most mild cases resolve within 24–48 hours with supportive veterinary care, but the timeline depends on how much was consumed.

Yes, American Mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens) is toxic to dogs. Both the berries and leaves contain compounds that can cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular distress, making it a plant to keep strictly out of reach — especially during the holidays when it appears as decoration.

Expect drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain within a few hours of ingestion. Larger amounts can trigger more serious signs: ataxia (a drunken gait), slow or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, labored breathing, seizures, or collapse.

Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away, even if your dog seems fine — cardiac signs can develop quickly with larger ingestions. If you see weakness, seizures, labored breathing, or collapse, go directly to a 24-hour emergency clinic. Mild GI cases typically resolve within 24–48 hours with supportive care.

Both the berries and the leaves are considered toxic. The berries are often the bigger concern because dogs may find them more appealing to eat, but ingestion of any part of the plant warrants prompt veterinary attention.