Autumn 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
Pet safety reference

Autumn Olive

Elaeagnus umbellata

Autumn Olive is a hardy, deciduous shrub known for its silvery foliage and edible berries. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may occasionally cause minor digestive discomfort.

Autumn OliveElaeagnus umbellataJapanese SilverberrySpreading Oleaster
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Habit
Shrub
Care
Low

Safety status

Cats & 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.

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.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

None typically expected; however, consumption of large amounts of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

This plant is considered non-toxic. If your cat consumes a large quantity and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian for guidance.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

None typically expected; however, consumption of large amounts of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

This plant is considered non-toxic. If your dog consumes a large quantity and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian for guidance.

Bring it home

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

Shop on Amazon

Some links earn us a small commission. They never affect our safety classifications.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

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

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Elaeagnus umbellata is a deciduous shrub that produces edible fruit and is widely naturalized.

cats safety pagedogs safety page

Same genus

More from the Elaeagnus genus

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict