Nightshade — (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 Nightshade safe for dogs?

Solanum spp

Solanum species contain solanine and other alkaloids that can cause significant gastrointestinal and neurological distress if ingested. These plants are widely considered hazardous to household pets and should be kept out of reach.

Deadly NightshadeNightshadeSolanumSolanum spp
Light
Bright indirect to full sun
Habit
Vining or shrubby
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

Most dog encounters with Nightshade end in mild stomach upset; the cited sources say a fairly large ingestion is usually needed for severe toxicity. The toxic compounds — solanine and atropine-like substances — are concentrated in leaves, stems, and unripe green berries rather than ripe fruit.

What to watch for

Most common: drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite. With larger ingestions: agitation or aggression, tremors, weakness, dilated pupils, or changes in heart rate or breathing.

Time window

Exact onset is not well documented in the cited sources; gastrointestinal signs typically appear within hours of ingestion.

When to call the vet

Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) the same day for persistent GI signs, and immediately for tremors, agitation, dilated pupils, or any breathing or heart-rate change.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline (no 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

Excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and potential neurological impairment such as loss of coordination.

Escalation note

The alkaloids present can cause rapid onset of clinical signs. Seek immediate veterinary attention if ingestion is suspected.

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

Nightshade is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of solanine.

Cats & dogs pagecats pageMy dog ate Nightshade

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