Lingonberry Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 1,015 found this helpful

Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.

No confirmed toxicity of Vaccinium vitis-idaea is recorded in available peer-reviewed scientific literature

Ripe lingonberry fruits are safe for human consumption, high in vitamins and sugar with a characteristic tart-sour taste

The plant is not recommended for use as feed for pets or livestock, even though no toxic effects are formally reported

FAQ

Is Lingonberry toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported to date. If unusual gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions occur after ingestion, seek medical attention immediately (Non-toxic)

Is Lingonberry toxic to Cats?

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported to date. If unusual lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea occurs after ingestion, contact a veterinarian (Non-toxic)

Is Lingonberry toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported to date. If unusual lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea occurs after ingestion, contact a veterinarian (Non-toxic)

Is Lingonberry toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported to date. If unusual lethargy, reduced appetite, or digestive upset occurs after ingestion, contact a veterinarian (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported to date. If unusual gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions occur after ingestion, seek medical attention immediately

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported to date. If unusual lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea occurs after ingestion, contact a veterinarian

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported to date. If unusual lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea occurs after ingestion, contact a veterinarian

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported to date. If unusual lethargy, reduced appetite, or digestive upset occurs after ingestion, contact a veterinarian

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo confirmed toxic parts identified; ripe fruits are edible for humans. Whole plant material is not suitable for use as animal feed

Exposure RoutePrimary exposure route is ingestion; no adverse effects from dermal contact have been documented

Toxic CompoundsNo toxic bioactive compounds have been identified in this species to date

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water if large quantities of unripe fruit or foliage are ingested
• Monitor for any unusual discomfort, rash, or lethargy for 24 hours post-ingestion
• Document the amount and part of the plant ingested for reference if symptoms develop

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet or livestock shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or respiratory distress after ingesting plant material
• If you cannot confirm the ingested plant is lingonberry and suspect it may be a toxic lookalike species
• If your animal has consumed large volumes of the plant and shows unusual behavioral changes

Prevention

• Properly identify the plant prior to consuming its berries to avoid accidental ingestion of toxic lookalike species
• Do not feed large volumes of whole lingonberry plant material to pets or livestock, as it is not formulated as animal feed
• Keep highly toxic lookalike species such as bog rosemary out of reach of children and pets

Treatment & Prognosis

• Provide supportive care including access to fresh water and rest for any mild, temporary gastrointestinal discomfort
• Administer antihistamines only if an allergic reaction is confirmed by a medical or veterinary professional
• No specific antidote is required as no toxic compounds have been identified in this species

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameVaccinium vitis-idaea L.

AliasesPartridgeberry、Mountain cranberry、Cowberry

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No specific organ systems are known to be negatively impacted by ingestion of this plant

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic physiological mechanism has been documented, as no credible reports of toxicity exist in published literature

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle, sheep, and goats: No confirmed toxicity reported; the plant is not suitable for use as primary feed due to suboptimal nutritional content

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): Small amounts of ripe berries are likely safe, but excessive consumption of foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal upset

Wild birds: No known adverse effects; berries are a common natural food source for many wild bird species

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Vaccinium species Vaccinium spp.

Visually similar small evergreen shrubs with edible berries; all species are non-toxic, no safety risk from misidentification

Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia

Visually similar low-growing evergreen shrub; highly toxic, distinguishable by its pale pink urn-shaped flowers vs lingonberry's bell-shaped white/pale pink flowers

Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Similar low-growing evergreen shrub with red berries; non-toxic, distinguishable by its thicker, leathery matte leaves

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Related Toxic Plants

Andromeda polifolia

Highly toxic

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Data Sources

1. 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.

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