Is Serbian spruce toxic to cats?
Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) is non-toxic to cats and is safe to keep as an indoor Christmas tree or garden ornamental, with care.
What is Serbian spruce?
| Family | Pinaceae – Pine |
| Botanical name | Picea omorika |
| Common names | Serbian spruce, Bosnian spruce, Omorica, Pančić spruce |
| Popular cultivars | ‘Nana’, ‘Aurea’, ‘Pendula’, ‘Pendula Bruns’, ‘Peve Tijn’ |
| Mature height | 20 – 40 metres |
| Needle retention | Fair |
| Scent | Citrus |
| Native to | Southeastern Europe |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats |
Serbian spruce is a medium-sized distinctive species native to the limestone mountains of Southeastern Europe. This graceful species has thin arching branches and a slender trunk with 1-2 cm flat needles that are dark blue-green above and blue-white below. When crushed, the needles emit a citrusy odour.
The Serbian spruce was named after Serbian botanist Josif Pančić, omorica is the Serbian word for tree.
Care
Serbian spruce grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils.
Safety
Despite their non-toxic status, all Christmas trees can still pose a risk to cats and dogs in the home.
- The Serbian spruce generally holds its needles better than other trees but ingestion of large volumes is still a risk, especially later in the season. Ingestion of spruce needles can potentially lead to a gastrointestinal obstruction. If you do have a cat who is interested in eating the plant, consider moving it to another location the cat cannot access.
- Never add aspirin to Christmas tree water as cats are unable to metabolise aspirin effectively, which can lead to a fatal overdose in as little as a single tablet.
- Always secure the Christmas tree to a wall by attaching a wire or fishing line to prevent the tree from accidentally toppling over.
- Do not use long strands of tinsel (angel hair or lametta tinsel) in homes with cats as ingestion can cause telescoping of the intestines. This life-threatening condition occurs when a linear foreign body becomes lodged in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract while the loose segment travels further down the GI tract. Wavelike contractions (peristalsis) creep up the trapped foreign body and can slide into the section immediately ahead of it (like a telescope). Blood vessels become trapped between the layers, which compromises blood flow and leads to edema (swelling). Strangulation of the blood vessels leads to (necrosis) death of the affected tissue and disruption of the mucosal barrier which allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream (sepsis).
- Place non-breakable ornaments at the bottom of the tree and delicate, breakables towards the top to prevent cats and children from pulling them down and breaking them.
Toxicity of common Christmas trees
Common name |
Scientific name |
Toxicity level |
| Norway spruce | Picea abies | Non-toxic |
| Blue spruce | Picea pungens | Non-toxic |
| Serbian spruce | Picea omorika | Non-toxic |
| White spruce | Picea glauca | Non-toxic |
| Nordmann fir | Abies nordmanniana | Non-toxic |
| Fraser fir | Abies fraseri | Non-toxic |
| Douglas fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii | Non-toxic |
| Noble fir | Abies procera | Non-toxic |
| Balsam fir | Abies balsamea | Non-toxic |
| Grand fir | Abies grandis | Non-toxic |
| Scotch pine | Pinus sylvestris | No information available |
| White pine | Pinus strobus | No information available |
| Virginian pine | Pinus virginiana | Listed as toxic to dogs, no information on cats |
| Norfolk Island pine, house pine |
Araucaria heterophylla | Non-toxic |