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
dog safety reference

Is Autumn Olive safe for dogs?

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

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 Autumn Olive — ASPCA lists Elaeagnus species (Russian Olive, Silverberry, autumn olive) as non-toxic to dogs with no toxic principle on file. Even the abundant berries dogs may pick up while foraging are not considered poisonous, though large fruit loads can cause routine GI upset.

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 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.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

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

Cats & dogs pagecats page

Questions about Autumn Olive

Is Autumn Olive toxic to dogs?

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is considered non-toxic to dogs. It is classified as generally safe, meaning it is not expected to cause poisoning if your dog chews on the leaves, berries, or stems.

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

Most dogs will have no reaction at all. If your dog consumes a large amount of fibrous plant material, mild vomiting or diarrhea is possible due to the bulk, not any toxic compound.

My dog ate a lot of Autumn Olive — should I be worried?

Autumn Olive is non-toxic, so true poisoning is not a concern. Watch for signs of GI upset like vomiting or loose stools if your dog ate a significant quantity; these should resolve on their own, but contact your veterinarian if symptoms persist or your dog seems distressed.

Does the non-toxic label mean Autumn Olive is safe for dogs to eat freely?

Non-toxic means the plant contains no compounds known to poison dogs, but that does not make it a suitable food. Large ingestions of any fibrous shrub material can cause digestive discomfort, so it is best to discourage your dog from eating it in quantity.

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