Enjoy poinsettias without the worry for your pets

Dear Readers: Recently in a pet column, I wrote about precautions to take during the holidays if you have pets in the home. Several types of poisonous plants were mentioned.
Since that column was printed, we've received mail from readers who said they didn't see poinsettias on the list and wondered why they were left off. This can be confusing! For years, it had been thought and taught that they were extremely poisonous. We re-researched this information and found that poinsettias are not lethal. Here's the update from the experts:
Dr. Deirdre Chiaramonte, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Internal Medicine), who is affiliated with The Animal Medical Center in New York City, explained that poinsettias were historically reported as highly toxic. Ingestion is not lethal, but might cause mild to moderate self-limiting gastrointestinal upset, including hypersalivation, vomiting and diarrhea.
Early reports of poinsettia poisoning were likely due to misidentification of the causative plant. Extrapolating from human medicine, a 2-pound Chihuahua would need to consume more than 20 leaves, whereas a Labrador retriever would have to eat at least 750 leaves to produce toxic effects.
Also, we contacted the Society of American Florists, and a representative sent us to the Web site www.aboutflowers.com, where we found this interesting information: Scientific research from The Ohio State University has proven the poinsettia to be nontoxic to both humans and pets. All parts of the plant were tested, including the leaves and sap.
Now the old wives' tale (or "pet tail & quot;) can be put to rest. So folks, enjoy the season with the beauty of poinsettias and without the worry for your pets. Heloise
P.S. My special thanks to Dr. Chiaramonte for her help. Recent research shows no reported fatalities. However, if anyone knows of an instance, please let us know.
Dear Readers: Kate Borus of Toms River, N.J., sent a photo of her three beautiful Pomeranians -- Murphy, Nelson and Lewis -- posing for a Christmas card in their colorful wreathlike collars. They are ready for the holidays!
Visit my Web site, www.Heloise.-com, and click on This Week's Pet to see these three little cherubs. Heloise
Dear Heloise: We get quite a bit of snow, so I try to provide a little extra care for our feathered friends. Even though I feed them all year, it's especially important to keep it up now.
I've noticed that while it's snowing and the birds are clustered around the bird feeders, lots of seeds fall to the ground, and the falling snow quickly covers them. It takes forever for snow to melt and expose the seeds, so my husband did something to hurry it along.
He put a couple of large cement stepping stones under the feeders. When the sun comes out, the snow melts faster on the stones, allowing the birds to gather around and dine. A Reader, Denver
Dear Heloise: Problem with squirrels in your yard? I wondered if they might be afraid of snakes. Then I noticed a heavy elastic cord that looks like snakeskin and hung it under the bird feeder. Voil & aacute;! I'm tickled as I watch a squirrel approach and keep on going. Margaret McCormick, York Haven, Pa.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate