Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Darwin's barberry toxic to dogs?

Berberis darwinii

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists darwin's barberry 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. Contains berberine alkaloids throughout the plant. Berries are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if consumed in quantity, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset. ASPCA does not individually list Berberis darwinii, but Berberis species are generally considered mildly toxic to pets due to berberine content.

What to do if your dog ate darwin's barberry

  1. Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth and move darwin's barberry 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 darwin's barberry to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is darwin's barberry toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is darwin's barberry toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists darwin's barberry 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. Contains berberine alkaloids throughout the plant. Berries are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if consumed in quantity, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset. ASPCA does not individually list Berberis darwinii, but Berberis species are generally considered mildly toxic to pets due to berberine content.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats darwin's barberry?

Contains berberine alkaloids throughout the plant. Berries are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if consumed in quantity, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset. ASPCA does not individually list Berberis darwinii, but Berberis species are generally considered mildly toxic to pets due to berberine content. 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 darwin's barberry.

What should I do if my dog ate darwin's barberry?

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 darwin's barberry toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Darwin's barberry is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full darwin's barberry pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to darwin's barberry?

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 darwin's barberry pet-safety