Is Climbing Nightshade Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Solanum dulcamara
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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 Climbing 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
Also called Bittersweet Nightshade, this vining relative of Black Nightshade shares the same solanine mechanism — its climbing habit means it's more likely to be found growing through fences or other plants than as a standalone specimen.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Solanum dulcamara
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Also known as
- Climbing Nightshade, European Bittersweet, Deadly Nightshade, Woody Nightshade
- Typically found
- both
Pet-safe alternatives
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Related plants
Black Nightshade
Solanum nigrum
Brunfelsia
Brunfelsia species
Deadly Nightshade
Solanum spp
Jerusalem Cherry
Solanum pseudocapsicum
Nicotiana
Nicotiana glauca
Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control