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Is Black Beauty Elderberry toxic to dogs?

Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty'

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists black beauty elderberry as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Raw elderberries, elderflowers, bark, leaves, and roots of Sambucus nigra contain sambunigrin and cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in dogs, cats, and humans if consumed in quantity. ASPCA lists Sambucus as toxic to dogs and cats. Ripe, cooked berries are used in human food products, but raw plant material should be kept away from pets.

What to do if your dog ate black beauty elderberry

  1. Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth and move black beauty elderberry out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of black beauty elderberry to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your dog has eaten black beauty elderberry, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is black beauty elderberry toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is black beauty elderberry toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists black beauty elderberry as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Raw elderberries, elderflowers, bark, leaves, and roots of Sambucus nigra contain sambunigrin and cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in dogs, cats, and humans if consumed in quantity. ASPCA lists Sambucus as toxic to dogs and cats. Ripe, cooked berries are used in human food products, but raw plant material should be kept away from pets.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats black beauty elderberry?

Raw elderberries, elderflowers, bark, leaves, and roots of Sambucus nigra contain sambunigrin and cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in dogs, cats, and humans if consumed in quantity. ASPCA lists Sambucus as toxic to dogs and cats. Ripe, cooked berries are used in human food products, but raw plant material should be kept away from pets. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your dog has had access to black beauty elderberry.

What should I do if my dog ate black beauty elderberry?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your dog's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is black beauty elderberry toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Black Beauty Elderberry is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full black beauty elderberry pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to black beauty elderberry?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best dogs-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full black beauty elderberry pet-safety