Pet emergency
My dog ate Mulberry Wine prickly heath — what to do
Step by step
- Take mulberry wine prickly heath away and remove any plant material from your dog's mouth so they cannot eat more.
- Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
- Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
- 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.
- 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 mulberry wine prickly heath — FAQ
Is mulberry wine prickly heath poisonous to dogs?
Yes — Mulberry Wine prickly heath (Gaultheria mucronata 'Mulberry Wine') is regarded as toxic to dogs, based on genus- and family-level toxicity data. As with the species, Gaultheria mucronata 'Mulberry Wine' berries and foliage contain compounds toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. Not individually listed by ASPCA but widely documented as toxic by veterinary and horticultural authorities. The magenta berries may be attractive to children and pets — keep away. Seek veterinary advice immediately if ingestion is suspected.
How serious is it if my dog ate mulberry wine prickly heath?
Mulberry Wine prickly heath 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 with the species, Gaultheria mucronata 'Mulberry Wine' berries and foliage contain compounds toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. Not individually listed by ASPCA but widely documented as toxic by veterinary and horticultural authorities. The magenta berries may be attractive to children and pets — keep away. Seek veterinary advice immediately if ingestion is suspected. 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 mulberry wine prickly heath 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.
Related
- My dog ate prickly heath — the species this cultivar belongs to, checked separately
- Is mulberry wine prickly heath toxic to dogs? — full toxicity detail
- Mulberry Wine prickly heath and pets — the complete ASPCA pet-safety guide
- Best plant app for pet owners — which apps actually flag ASPCA toxicity before you buy the plant