Red Berried Greenbrier Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 975 found this helpful

Smilax walteria

Classified non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per official ASPCA assessments

Only leaves and berries have low-level toxicity, with no severe poisoning risk recorded

Ingestion may cause mild, self-limiting symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy

FAQ

Is Red Berried Greenbrier toxic to Humans?

Mild gastrointestinal distress including vomiting and diarrhea if large amounts of leaves/berries are consumed, no severe toxic effects reported (Low)

Is Red Berried Greenbrier toxic to Cats?

No confirmed toxic risk; mild, self-limiting vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy may occur after ingestion of large volumes of plant material (Non-toxic)

Is Red Berried Greenbrier toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed toxic risk; mild, self-limiting vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy may occur after ingestion of large volumes of plant material (Non-toxic)

Is Red Berried Greenbrier toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxic risk; mild, self-limiting vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy may occur after ingestion of large volumes of plant material (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Mild gastrointestinal distress including vomiting and diarrhea if large amounts of leaves/berries are consumed, no severe toxic effects reported

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic risk; mild, self-limiting vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy may occur after ingestion of large volumes of plant material

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic risk; mild, self-limiting vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy may occur after ingestion of large volumes of plant material

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic risk; mild, self-limiting vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy may occur after ingestion of large volumes of plant material

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsLeaves and berries (low toxicity only)

Exposure RouteIngestion (primary exposure route; no known dermal or inhalation toxicity)

Toxic CompoundsNo identified harmful toxic compounds; only trace mild irritant components present in leaves and berries

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately remove any remaining plant material from the exposed animal's mouth and rinse with clean water
• Monitor for signs of gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, diarrhea) for 2-4 hours post-ingestion
• Offer small amounts of fresh water to reduce risk of dehydration if mild vomiting occurs

Contact Vet Immediately

• Vomiting or diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours post-ingestion
• The animal shows persistent lethargy, refusal to eat/drink, or other unusual behavioral changes
• A very large quantity of plant material was ingested by a small, young, or immunocompromised animal

Prevention

• Keep young puppies, kittens, or foals away from dense patches of the plant to avoid excessive exploratory ingestion
• If grown as an ornamental, place the plant out of reach of very small pets that may chew large amounts of foliage
• Clear fallen berries regularly to prevent accidental overconsumption by foraging animals

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care only, including fluid administration if dehydration occurs from prolonged vomiting/diarrhea
• Symptomatic treatment for gastrointestinal upset with vet-approved anti-emetics or antidiarrheals if required
• No specific antidote is needed as no severe toxic effects are associated with this plant

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSmilax walteria

Aliasesred-berried-bamboo

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tract (only temporarily affected if large volumes are ingested, no permanent organ damage reported)

Mechanism of Action

• Mild gastrointestinal irritation from trace irritant compounds in leaves and berries, no systemic toxic effect recorded

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): May experience mild gastrointestinal upset if large amounts of leaves/berries are ingested, no severe toxic effects reported

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): No confirmed toxicity; mild digestive distress may occur with excessive consumption of plant material

Wild birds: Berries are considered safe for wild birds, no adverse effects from ingestion have been recorded

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Red Baneberry Actaea rubra

Produces bright red berries similar to Red Berried Greenbrier, but is highly toxic to humans and animals; key difference: Red Baneberry has white flowers and compound leaves, while Smilax walteria has greenish flowers and thorny vine foliage

American Bittersweet Celastrus scandens

Has a vining growth habit and produces red berries similar to Red Berried Greenbrier, but its berries are toxic to pets; key difference: American Bittersweet berries are enclosed in yellow-orange seed capsules that split open at maturity, unlike the unencapsulated berries of Smilax walteria

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Related Toxic Plants

Easter Lily

Lilium longiflorum

Severe toxicity (highly fatal to cats even in small doses, causes irreversible kidney failure)

Tiger Lily

Lilium lancifolium

Severe toxicity (deadly to cats, triggers acute kidney injury within 72 hours of ingestion)

Autumn Crocus

Colchicum autumnale

High toxicity (toxic to all domestic animals, causes organ failure and bone marrow suppression)

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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.

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