European Bittersweet Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 3,103 found this helpful

All plant parts and unripe berries are toxic; alkaloid content drops as berries ripen, making fully ripe berries practically non-toxic

The core toxic compound solanine is not broken down by drying or cooking, and its breakdown in silage is unconfirmed

The plant is toxic to cats, dogs, horses, ruminants and pigs, and carries severe toxicity risk for birds

FAQ

Is European Bittersweet toxic to Humans?

Not explicitly documented in available data; ingestion is expected to cause gastrointestinal upset, drowsiness and potential cardiac effects similar to animal cases (Low)

Is European Bittersweet toxic to Cats?

Common: vomiting, diarrhea; Uncommon: drowsiness, low blood pressure, low heart rate; Severe cases: salivation, stomatitis, incoordination, cardiac arrest (Moderate)

Is European Bittersweet toxic to Dogs?

Common: vomiting, diarrhea, colic; Uncommon: drowsiness, low blood pressure, low heart rate; Severe cases: salivation, stomatitis, incoordination, cardiac arrest (Moderate)

Is European Bittersweet toxic to Horses?

Common: vomiting, diarrhea; Uncommon: drowsiness, low blood pressure, low heart rate; Severe cases: salivation, incoordination, depression, cardiac arrest (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Not explicitly documented in available data; ingestion is expected to cause gastrointestinal upset, drowsiness and potential cardiac effects similar to animal cases

Cats

Moderate

Common: vomiting, diarrhea; Uncommon: drowsiness, low blood pressure, low heart rate; Severe cases: salivation, stomatitis, incoordination, cardiac arrest

Dogs

Moderate

Common: vomiting, diarrhea, colic; Uncommon: drowsiness, low blood pressure, low heart rate; Severe cases: salivation, stomatitis, incoordination, cardiac arrest

Horses

Moderate

Common: vomiting, diarrhea; Uncommon: drowsiness, low blood pressure, low heart rate; Severe cases: salivation, incoordination, depression, cardiac arrest

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsThe entire plant and unripe berries are toxic; alkaloid content decreases with berry ripening, so fully ripe berries are practically non-toxic

Exposure RoutePrimary exposure route is ingestion of toxic plant parts or unripe berries

Toxic CompoundsSolanine; Solanidin; Soladulcin; Solamarin; Soladulcamaridin; Soladulcidin; Solamargin; Solasodin; Tomatidin; Other related steroidal alkaloids

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting immediately if ingestion occurred within 1 hour and the affected individual is fully conscious
• Administer activated charcoal to absorb remaining toxic alkaloids in the digestive tract
• Keep the affected individual calm and avoid giving any food or drink unless instructed by a medical/vet professional

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your cat, dog, horse or other livestock has ingested any part of the plant except fully ripe berries
• If any symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness or abnormal heart rate appear after exposure
• If a large quantity of the plant has been ingested even if no visible symptoms are present

Prevention

• Keep the plant out of reach of children, pets and livestock at all times
• Never consume unripe berries or any other part of the plant
• Educate household members to avoid misidentifying this plant as edible berry varieties

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform timely decontamination procedures to reduce toxin absorption
• Provide symptomatic and supportive care including fluid therapy for dehydration and cardiac monitoring
• Continuously track vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate) until full recovery

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSolanum dulcamara

AliasesClimbing Nightshade、Deadly Nightshade

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractNervous systemHeartCirculatory system

Mechanism of Action

• Steroidal alkaloids including solanine irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, disrupt nervous system signal transmission, and impair normal cardiac function to cause toxic reactions

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Birds: Severe toxicity, ingestion may lead to rapid death

Sheep: May develop tachypnea, arrhythmia, hyperthermia, dilated pupils, diarrhea, unsteady gait, collapse and death

Cattle: May show agitation, tachycardia, incoordination, muscle tremors, hypothermia, salivation and tissue edema

Pigs & Ruminants: Highly vulnerable to toxicity, may develop gastrointestinal distress, neurological impairment and cardiac arrest

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

False Jerusalem Cherry / Coral Tree Solanum capsicastrum

Related toxic berry-bearing Solanum species, easily misidentified due to similar fruit appearance

Costa Rica Nightshade Solanum wendlandii

Related toxic nightshade species, has similar growth habit and foliage morphology

Jasmine Nightshade Solanum jasminoides

Climbing toxic nightshade, may be misidentified as non-toxic jasmine due to similar flower appearance

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

2. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

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