Is Black Nightshade Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Solanum nigrum
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Solanine and related glycoalkaloids |
| Onset of symptoms | Within a few hours |
| Indoor / outdoor | both |
If your pet ate this plant
Both lines are staffed 24/7. A consultation fee applies to each. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
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Symptoms in dogs
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of coordination
- Lethargy
Symptoms in cats
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of coordination
- Lethargy
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What to do
Contact a vet, especially if unripe berries or a large amount of foliage was eaten — these carry the highest solanine concentration.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Black Nightshade is solanine and related glycoalkaloids.
Part-specific risk: Ripe fruit is generally much lower in solanine than unripe fruit and foliage.
What makes this plant different
Black Nightshade's unripe green berries are far more concentrated in solanine than the ripe black berries, following the same ripeness-dependent risk pattern seen in several other nightshade-family plants and in Lantana.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Solanum nigrum
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Also known as
- Black Nightshade, Nightshade, Deadly Nightshade
- Typically found
- both
Pet-safe alternatives
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Related plants
Brunfelsia
Brunfelsia species
Climbing Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara
Deadly Nightshade
Solanum spp
Jerusalem Cherry
Solanum pseudocapsicum
Nicotiana
Nicotiana glauca
Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control