Is Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Toxic to Cats?

Is Douglas fir toxic to cats?

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is non-toxic to cats.

What is Douglas fir?

• Botanical name: Pseudotsuga menziesii
• Common names: Douglas fir, Oregon fir, Oregon pine, Oregon, Green Douglas fir, Blue Douglas fir, Columbian pine, Common Douglas, Coast Douglas-fir
• Needle retention: Excellent
• Scent: Woody
• Toxicity: Non-toxic to cats
• Toxic parts: None
• Severity: –
• Toxic principle: –

Douglas fir is an evergreen conifer native to North America. The common name honours Scottish botanist David Douglas who first reported the potential of the species.

Douglas fir makes a beautiful Christmas tree, with dark green to blue-green thick, soft needles which are not prone to shedding, symmetry and citrus-like scent. The versatile timber is used in furnituremaking, ship building and house frames, the oil are used to make eau de vie, a colourless brandy, and the needles are a popular tea.

Despite the name, Douglas fir is not a true fir, meaning it is not a member of the genus Abies.

Safety

• Fertilisers and pest control used on Douglas fir can be potentially toxic to cats.
• Ingestion of large volumes of needles can potentially lead to a gastrointestinal obstruction but this is unlikely. If you do have a cat who is interested in eating the plant, consider moving it to another location the cat cannot access and bring in some cat-friendly plants such as catnip or cat grass.
• Secure the Christmas tree to a wall by attaching a wire or fishing line to prevent the tree from accidentally toppling over.
• Avoid the use of tinsel in homes with cats as ingestion can cause gastrointestinal obstruction or telescoping of the intestines, which are both life-threatening.
• Place breakable ornaments high on the tree to prevent the cat from pulling them off and breaking them.

Toxicity of other Christmas trees

Feature image: Robert Thiemann/Unsplash