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Pet safety

Is Serviceberry toxic to dogs?

Amelanchier lamarckii

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists serviceberry 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. Amelanchier is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so its pet status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ripe berries are widely eaten by people, but seeds of many rose-family fruits contain trace cyanogenic compounds, so discourage pets from chewing large quantities of leaves or seeds.

What to do if your dog ate serviceberry

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

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

Is serviceberry toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is serviceberry toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists serviceberry 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. Amelanchier is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so its pet status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ripe berries are widely eaten by people, but seeds of many rose-family fruits contain trace cyanogenic compounds, so discourage pets from chewing large quantities of leaves or seeds.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats serviceberry?

Amelanchier is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so its pet status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ripe berries are widely eaten by people, but seeds of many rose-family fruits contain trace cyanogenic compounds, so discourage pets from chewing large quantities of leaves or seeds. 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 serviceberry.

What should I do if my dog ate serviceberry?

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 serviceberry toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Serviceberry is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full serviceberry pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to serviceberry?

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 serviceberry pet-safety