Jerusalem Cherry — (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 Jerusalem Cherry safe for dogs?

Solanum pseudocapsicum

Jerusalem Cherry is an ornamental shrub known for its bright, berry-like fruits that contain toxic solanine alkaloids. Due to the presence of these compounds, all parts of the plant are considered harmful if ingested by pets.

Jerusalem CherryMadeira Winter CherrySolanum pseudocapsicumWinter Cherry
Light
Bright indirect light
Habit
Upright shrub
Care
Moderate

Safety status

Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

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

What this means for your dog

Dogs that eat Jerusalem cherry berries or foliage can develop significant gastrointestinal distress and, with larger ingestions, central nervous system effects. ASPCA attributes the toxicity to solanine and notes risks ranging from GI ulceration to seizures, respiratory depression, and shock.

What to watch for

Gastrointestinal signs typically come first: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and abdominal discomfort. With larger ingestions, watch for depression/lethargy, possible GI ulceration, respiratory depression, seizures, and shock.

Time window

Exact onset and duration are not well documented.

When to call the vet

Call immediately if any berries or plant material may have been eaten — especially if multiple berries were ingested or if you see seizures, severe vomiting, weakness, or breathing changes. Contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

Sources: ASPCA (no home first-aid guidance).

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

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and potential neurological signs such as tremors or weakness.

Escalation note

The solanine content poses a risk of poisoning that requires professional medical evaluation. Seek veterinary care promptly if your dog has consumed any part of this plant.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Jerusalem Cherry contains solanine, which is toxic to both cats and dogs.

Cats & dogs pagecats pageMy dog ate Jerusalem Cherry

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