Is American Bittersweet Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)

Contact a vet, especially for berry ingestion — Euonymus berries are more concentrated in the cardiac glycosides than leaves.

The toxic component in American Bittersweet is cardiac glycosides (in the same broad class as oleander, though generally less potent).

Part-specific risk: Berries are more concentrated in toxins than leaves.

American Bittersweet's berries are prized in dried floral arrangements for their bright orange-and-red autumn color — the same berries carry a cardiac glycoside risk in the same broad chemical family as Oleander, just considerably less potent.

Scientific name

Celastrus scandens

Family

Celastraceae

Also known as

American Bittersweet, Bittersweet, Waxwork, Shrubby Bittersweet, False Bittersweet, Climbing Bittersweet

Typically found

outdoor