Is Nightshade Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Solanum spp
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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 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
'Nightshade' alone is an umbrella term for the Solanum genus — species vary somewhat in solanine concentration, but the general precaution (avoid unripe berries and foliage) applies across the family.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Solanum spp
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Also known as
- Nightshade, Deadly Nightshade, Black Nightshade
- Typically found
- both
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Related plants
Black Nightshade
Solanum nigrum
Brunfelsia
Brunfelsia species
Climbing Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara
Deadly Nightshade
Solanum spp
Jerusalem Cherry
Solanum pseudocapsicum
Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control