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If your dog ate blue holly 'blue princess' — do this now

  1. Take the plant away and clear any pieces from their mouth.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless told to by a professional.
  3. Call your vet now. If you cannot reach one, a poison-control line will triage you — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both services charge a fee.

Blue Holly 'Blue Princess' is toxic to dogs (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My dog ate Blue Holly 'Blue Princess' — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take blue holly 'blue princess' away and remove any plant material from your dog's mouth so they cannot eat more.
  2. Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
  3. Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
  4. Call your vet, or a poison-control line — (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both charge a consultation fee. Follow their advice.
  5. Watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy, and bring a leaf or photo to the appointment.

This is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide as well as the plant. When in doubt, call your vet — or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK.

My dog ate blue holly 'blue princess' — FAQ

Is blue holly 'blue princess' poisonous to dogs?

Yes — Blue Holly 'Blue Princess' (Ilex × meserveae 'Blue Princess') is regarded as toxic to dogs, based on genus- and family-level toxicity data. As an Ilex, 'Blue Princess' falls under the ASPCA listing of holly as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with saponins as the toxic principle. Ingestion of leaves and berries causes vomiting, diarrhoea and depression (low toxicity per ASPCA), and the spiny foliage can also cause mouth and gut irritation.

How serious is it if my dog ate blue holly 'blue princess'?

Blue Holly 'Blue Princess' is toxic to dogs and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, straight away rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.

What symptoms should I watch for?

Signs usually appear soon after chewing: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy. As an Ilex, 'Blue Princess' falls under the ASPCA listing of holly as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with saponins as the toxic principle. Ingestion of leaves and berries causes vomiting, diarrhoea and depression (low toxicity per ASPCA), and the spiny foliage can also cause mouth and gut irritation. Any worsening or persistent symptoms warrant an immediate vet visit.

Should I make my dog vomit?

No — do not induce vomiting unless a vet or a poison-control specialist specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, and follow professional advice.

How do I stop this happening again?

Keep blue holly 'blue princess' well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best dogs-safe plants list.

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your dog.

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