Russian Olive — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA
dog safety reference

Is Russian Olive safe for dogs?

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Russian Olive is a hardy, deciduous shrub or small tree known for its silvery foliage and fragrant, inconspicuous flowers. While generally considered non-toxic, it is not intended for consumption by pets.

Elaeagnus angustifoliaElaeagnus speciesOleasterSilver Berry
Light
Full Sun
Habit
Shrub or small tree
Care
Low

Safety status

Dogs

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

What this means for your dog

Dogs are safe around Russian Olive — ASPCA classifies Elaeagnus angustifolia as non-toxic to dogs. The fruit and leaves are not flagged for any toxic principle, so a mouthful is not a poisoning event.

Sources: ASPCA.

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected from typical contact; large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

The plant is non-toxic, but any significant ingestion of plant matter should be monitored. Contact your veterinarian if your pet shows persistent signs of discomfort.

Bring it home

Russian Oliveis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Russian Olive is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Elaeagnus angustifolia is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the Elaeagnaceae family.

Cats & dogs pagecats page

Questions about Russian Olive

Is Russian Olive toxic to dogs?

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is considered non-toxic to dogs. It does not contain known poisonous compounds, so casual contact or minor nibbling is unlikely to cause serious harm.

What happens if my dog eats Russian Olive leaves or berries?

Large ingestions of fibrous plant material from Russian Olive may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. No toxic effects are expected from typical contact or small amounts.

Do I need to worry if my dog chewed on a Russian Olive branch?

Chewing on a Russian Olive branch is not expected to cause toxicity. Monitor your dog for signs of GI upset like vomiting or diarrhea if they ate a significant amount of plant material, and contact your veterinarian if symptoms persist.

How much Russian Olive is dangerous for a dog to eat?

Russian Olive is non-toxic, so there is no known dangerous dose from a poisoning standpoint. That said, any large ingestion of fibrous plant matter can cause mechanical GI upset regardless of toxicity — if your dog ate a substantial quantity and seems uncomfortable, a vet check is worthwhile.

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