Choke Cherry Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 1,425 found this helpful

Stems, leaves, and seeds of the plant all contain cyanide-producing cyanogenic glycosides

Wilted choke cherry plant material is significantly more toxic than fresh, intact growth

Ingestion of any part of the plant poses life-threatening health risks to cats, dogs, and horses

FAQ

Is Choke Cherry toxic to Humans?

No species-specific human symptom data provided; cyanide exposure may cause headache, nausea, respiratory distress, and collapse in severe cases (Low)

Is Choke Cherry toxic to Cats?

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock (Severe)

Is Choke Cherry toxic to Dogs?

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock (Severe)

Is Choke Cherry toxic to Horses?

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No species-specific human symptom data provided; cyanide exposure may cause headache, nausea, respiratory distress, and collapse in severe cases

Cats

Severe

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock

Dogs

Severe

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock

Horses

Severe

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsStems, leaves, seeds, with highest toxicity in wilted plant material

Exposure RoutePrimary exposure is via ingestion of toxic plant parts

Toxic CompoundsCyanogenic glycosides

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately remove any remaining choke cherry plant material from the affected animal's mouth
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a veterinary professional
• Move the animal to a well-ventilated area and minimize physical activity to reduce oxygen demand

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of choke cherry plant material, even if no symptoms are visible
• Observation of symptoms including dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, brick red mucous membranes, or excessive panting
• Signs of shock, collapse, or loss of consciousness in the animal

Prevention

• Remove all choke cherry plants from areas accessible to pets, livestock, and grazing animals
• Securely dispose of pruned, fallen, or wilted choke cherry material where animals cannot access it
• Educate pet and livestock owners on visual identification of choke cherry to avoid accidental exposure

Treatment & Prognosis

• Immediate veterinary administration of cyanide antidotes (sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulfate) post-exposure
• Oxygen therapy and supportive care to address respiratory distress and shock symptoms
• 24-48 hour monitoring of cardiac function, blood oxygen levels, and mucous membrane status

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NamePrunus virginiana

AliasesVirginia bird cherry、Bitter-berry、Common chokecherry

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsSevere

DogsSevere

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

Respiratory systemCardiovascular systemCentral nervous system

Mechanism of Action

• Cyanogenic glycosides break down in the digestive tract to release free cyanide, which blocks cellular oxygen uptake, leading to rapid tissue hypoxia, organ damage, and death if untreated

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: High risk of fatal cyanide poisoning, especially when grazing on wilted choke cherry branches after storms or pruning events

Sheep and Goats: Moderate to high toxicity risk, with sudden death often being the first observed sign post-ingestion

Wild Birds: Low risk; ripe choke cherry fruit is a natural, safe food source for most wild bird species

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Black Cherry Prunus serotina

Visually similar with comparable leaf shape, red to black fruit, and growth habit; key difference is choke cherry has shorter fruit racemes and smaller mature size than black cherry

Pin Cherry Prunus pensylvanica

Has similar narrow leaves and small red fruit; key difference is pin cherry has brighter tart fruit and bark with prominent horizontal lenticels absent on mature choke cherry

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Related Toxic Plants

Prunus laurocerasus

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.