Black Haw Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 4,375 found this helpful

Black Haw is classified as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per verified plant toxicology data

No life-threatening reactions are associated with ingestion of small to moderate amounts of this plant

Excessive consumption may still cause mild, transient gastrointestinal discomfort in rare sensitive individuals

FAQ

Is Black Haw toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxic effects reported; unripe berries or extremely large intake may cause mild temporary stomach upset (Non-toxic)

Is Black Haw toxic to Cats?

No documented toxic effects; very large ingestion may trigger rare mild loose stools or short-term vomiting (Non-toxic)

Is Black Haw toxic to Dogs?

No documented toxic effects; extremely large intake may cause rare mild gastrointestinal irritation (Non-toxic)

Is Black Haw toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxic effects; excessive grazing may lead to mild transient digestive discomfort (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic effects reported; unripe berries or extremely large intake may cause mild temporary stomach upset

Cats

Non-toxic

No documented toxic effects; very large ingestion may trigger rare mild loose stools or short-term vomiting

Dogs

Non-toxic

No documented toxic effects; extremely large intake may cause rare mild gastrointestinal irritation

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic effects; excessive grazing may lead to mild transient digestive discomfort

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo parts of this plant are confirmed to be toxic; all components are considered safe for casual exposure or typical ingestion amounts

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary relevant exposure route; dermal contact poses no known toxic risk

Toxic CompoundsNo harmful toxicologically relevant compounds have been identified in standard analyses of this species

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the exposed individual or animal's mouth
• Offer small amounts of fresh water to rinse the mouth and dilute any ingested plant matter
• Monitor for signs of mild gastrointestinal upset for 2 to 4 hours post-exposure

Contact Vet Immediately

• If the animal shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy lasting more than 6 hours after ingestion
• If the animal ingested extremely large quantities alongside other unknown potentially toxic substances
• If the animal has pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions or known sensitivities to plant matter

Prevention

• Label all ornamental and wild plants in your yard to avoid confusion with toxic lookalike species
• Keep plant clippings out of reach of curious pets and young children
• Avoid allowing livestock to graze exclusively on unknown wild plant species

Treatment & Prognosis

• No specific treatment is required for typical exposure, as the plant is non-toxic
• Supportive care including fluids and anti-emetics may be administered if rare mild digestive symptoms develop
• No long-term follow-up is required for uncomplicated exposure cases

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameViburnum lentago

AliasesWild Raisin、Tea Plant、Cowberry、Nannyberry、Sweet Viburnum、Nanny Plum、Sheepberry、Sweetberry

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No organs are targeted by toxic compounds from this species; no organ damage is associated with exposure

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanism of action has been identified, as this species does not contain harmful compounds that trigger adverse physiological responses

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Human: Ripe berries are edible; no toxic risk from normal consumption, though unripe berries may cause mild stomach upset

Cattle: No confirmed toxic effects; excessive grazing may cause mild transient digestive discomfort

Sheep: Non-toxic, no reported adverse health effects from ingestion of typical amounts

Domestic Rabbit: Non-toxic, safe for consumption in small to moderate quantities as part of a varied diet

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Chokecherry Prunus virginiana

Both have oval serrated leaves and clusters of dark berries; chokecherry contains toxic cyanogenic glycosides, and can be distinguished by its bitter-tasting berries compared to the sweet edible berries of Black Haw

Common Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica

Both produce dark berry-like fruits and have similar shrubby growth habits; common buckthorn has alternately arranged leaves (Black Haw has opposite leaves) and its fruits cause severe gastrointestinal distress when ingested

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Related Toxic Plants

Common Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

Moderate toxicity: unripe fruits, leaves, and bark contain cyanogenic glycosides that can cause severe poisoning if ingested raw

Japanese Honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Moderate toxicity: berries contain saponins that cause vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory distress in pets and humans

Common Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

Low to moderate toxicity: berries contain saponins and alkaloids that cause digestive upset and dizziness in humans and pets

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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.