Although both the leaves and berries contain the moderately noxious compounds that cause the gastrointestinal upset, the spines on the leaves of the holly plant usually dissuade most canines from eating large enough quantities to cause serious damage.
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Head shaking
- Loss of appetite
- Pawing at mouth
- Spots of blood in mouth
- Vomiting
Types
There are around 400-600 species of holly plant in the ilex family. Some of the more common varieties used for ornamentation include:
American Holly (Ilex olpaca)- Native to eastern and south-central areas of the United States. It has bright red berry-like drupes and the leaves of the American Holly are conspicuously less shiny than its English cousin.
English Holly (Ilex aquifolium)- Also known as European holly, Christmas holly, and common holly, this variety is native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia. It has bright red or yellow berry-like drupes, and shiny leaves with a leathery feel.
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)- Popular as a bonsai plant, this species is native to China, Japan, Korea, Sakhalin, and Taiwan, and is also known as the box-leaved holly. It has black berry-like drupes, and glossy, dark-green leaves.
