Small cranberry Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 2,688 found this helpful
Vaccinium oxycoccos L. (synonyms: Oxycoccus palustris Pers., Oxycoccus quadripetalus Gilib.)
1

No documented cases of toxicity in humans or common domestic animals per available scientific literature

2

Ripe fruits are safe for human consumption, but the plant is not recommended for use as regular animal feed

3

High risk of dangerous misidentification with the highly toxic lookalike bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia)

FAQ

Is Small cranberry toxic to Humans?

No adverse effects expected with typical consumption; mild stomach upset may occur if extremely large quantities are eaten (Non-toxic)

Is Small cranberry toxic to Cats?

No documented toxic effects; mild vomiting or diarrhea may occur rarely if large volumes are ingested due to high fiber content (Non-toxic)

Is Small cranberry toxic to Dogs?

No documented toxic effects; mild vomiting or diarrhea may occur rarely if large volumes are ingested due to high fiber content (Non-toxic)

Is Small cranberry toxic to Horses?

No documented toxic effects; mild gastrointestinal upset may occur rarely if large volumes are ingested due to high fiber content (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans
Non-toxic

No adverse effects expected with typical consumption; mild stomach upset may occur if extremely large quantities are eaten

Cats
Non-toxic

No documented toxic effects; mild vomiting or diarrhea may occur rarely if large volumes are ingested due to high fiber content

Dogs
Non-toxic

No documented toxic effects; mild vomiting or diarrhea may occur rarely if large volumes are ingested due to high fiber content

Horses
Non-toxic

No documented toxic effects; mild gastrointestinal upset may occur rarely if large volumes are ingested due to high fiber content

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo parts are confirmed toxic; ripe fruits are edible for humans. The whole plant is not recommended for use as animal feed even with no documented toxic compounds.
Exposure RoutePrimary exposure route is ingestion; skin contact and inhalation do not pose any known risk
Toxic CompoundsNo toxic phytochemicals have been identified in this species in available scientific literature

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

  • • Rinse mouth with clean water if any part of the plant is ingested, especially if identity is unconfirmed
  • • Offer small sips of fresh water to humans or animals that have ingested large quantities to reduce mild digestive risk
  • • Collect any remaining plant material for formal identification if unusual symptoms develop

Contact Vet Immediately

  • • If your pet or livestock shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite after ingesting the plant
  • • If you cannot confirm the ingested plant is small cranberry and suspect it may be a toxic lookalike species
  • • If the animal displays lethargy, weakness, or abnormal behavior within 2 hours of ingestion

Prevention

  • • Always positively identify the plant before harvesting and consuming its berries to avoid toxic lookalike exposure
  • • Do not feed large quantities of this plant to pets or livestock, as it is not formulated for animal consumption
  • • Mark growth areas of toxic lookalike species near foraging sites to reduce misidentification risk

Treatment & Prognosis

  • • Supportive care including oral fluid administration to address mild gastrointestinal upset if it occurs
  • • Symptomatic treatment for nausea or diarrhea if symptoms are severe and persistent
  • • Confirm plant identity via a botanist to rule out exposure to toxic lookalike species before additional interventions
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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameVaccinium oxycoccos L. (synonyms: Oxycoccus palustris Pers., Oxycoccus quadripetalus Gilib.)
AliasesMarshberry、Bog cranberry、Swamp cranberry
Toxicity Grade
HumansNon-toxic
CatsNon-toxic
DogsNon-toxic
HorsesNon-toxic
Target Organs
No specific organs are known to be targeted, as the plant is considered non-toxic to humans and most animals
Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanisms have been identified, as no harmful phytochemicals have been documented in this species

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle, sheep and other ruminants: No documented toxicity, but large intake may cause mild gastrointestinal disruption due to high fiber content
Wild birds: Berries are a natural, safe food source for wild bird species with no reported adverse effects
Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): Small quantities of berries are safe, but excess intake may cause soft stool or mild digestive upset
Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Vaccinium species Various Vaccinium spp.
Morphologically similar berry-producing shrubs in the same genus; all are non-toxic, distinguished by minor differences in leaf shape, berry size, and flavor
Bog rosemary Andromeda polifolia
Grows in the same bog habitat with small evergreen leaves; highly toxic, distinguished by its pale pink urn-shaped flowers and lack of edible red cranberry-like fruits
Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Low-growing evergreen shrub found in similar habitats; non-toxic, distinguished by its thicker leathery leaves and larger, matte red berries
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Data Sources

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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