Is Nandina Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Nandina domestica
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Cyanogenic glycosides |
| Onset of symptoms | Within a few hours |
| Indoor / outdoor | outdoor |
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
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Difficulty breathing with large ingestion
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
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What to do
Contact a vet, especially if berries were eaten in quantity. Nandina berries are also acutely toxic to cedar waxwings and other birds that feed on them in large flocks.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Nandina is cyanogenic glycosides.
Part-specific risk: Berries are more concentrated in toxins than leaves.
What makes this plant different
Nandina's berries are toxic enough to cause well-documented cedar waxwing deaths when large flocks feed on them in a single sitting — a useful indicator of real toxicity for a plant whose 'Heavenly' and 'Sacred Bamboo' names suggest nothing but good fortune.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Nandina domestica
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Also known as
- Nandina, Sacred Bamboo, Heavenly Bamboo
- Typically found
- outdoor
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Related plants
American Mandrake
Podophyllum peltatum
Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica
Mayapple
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Sacred Bamboo
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Alocasia
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See all Berberidaceae plants →
Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control