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Is Fragrant Sweet Box toxic to dogs?

Sarcococca ruscifolia

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists fragrant sweet box 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. Sarcococca ruscifolia is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The berries may cause mild stomach upset in pets or children if ingested. Classified as mildly-toxic as a precaution; serious toxicity is not documented in current horticultural literature.

What to do if your dog ate fragrant sweet box

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

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

Is fragrant sweet box toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is fragrant sweet box toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists fragrant sweet box 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. Sarcococca ruscifolia is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The berries may cause mild stomach upset in pets or children if ingested. Classified as mildly-toxic as a precaution; serious toxicity is not documented in current horticultural literature.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats fragrant sweet box?

Sarcococca ruscifolia is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The berries may cause mild stomach upset in pets or children if ingested. Classified as mildly-toxic as a precaution; serious toxicity is not documented in current horticultural literature. 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 fragrant sweet box.

What should I do if my dog ate fragrant sweet box?

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 fragrant sweet box toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Fragrant Sweet Box is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full fragrant sweet box pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to fragrant sweet box?

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 fragrant sweet box pet-safety