Are Hawthorn Berries Poisonous to Dogs and Cats?
Quick answer
No. That answer is for berries from a correctly identified Crataegus hawthorn. Hawthorn (Crataegus species) is listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA. If the tree in your yard is a true hawthorn and your pet seems well, a few eaten berries are not a poisoning emergency. A large quantity can upset the stomach, and if your pet is vomiting, drooling, or lethargic, or you are not certain which plant they ate, call your veterinarian.
What to do right now
If your dog or cat just ate berries from a hawthorn tree and is acting normally, the situation is not an emergency. Watch them.
Call your veterinarian if any of the following apply:
- Your pet ate a large quantity, particularly a small pet.
- They are vomiting, drooling, retching, or unusually tired.
- They also chewed through leaves, branches, or a large number of seeds.
- You are not certain the plant was a true hawthorn. Several unrelated shrubs share the name, and some plants that look similar are not harmless.
- Your pet takes any medication. Mention anything unusual they ate when you call, so your veterinarian has the full picture.
One distinction worth knowing: trouble breathing or collapse is an emergency. Go straight to a veterinary hospital or call an animal poison-control service. Repeated vomiting warrants prompt veterinary advice and may need an urgent exam. Milder signs, or plain uncertainty, are a call to your regular veterinarian.
If you are unsure about the plant, take clear photos of the leaves, berries, and overall shrub before you call. That single step makes the conversation far more useful than a description does.
What about the seeds?
Hawthorn seeds contain amygdalin, a compound also found in apple seeds that can release cyanide when broken down. The amount that would pose a risk to a dog or cat has not been established, so it is sensible not to let a pet chew through seeds in quantity, and it is worth mentioning to your veterinarian if yours did.
Is Indian hawthorn the same plant?
No, and this trips up a lot of owners. Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) is an unrelated landscaping shrub that borrowed the name. It is widely planted in warm-climate yards and commercial landscaping.
It is a different plant, and detailed safety data for dogs and cats is limited. The sources here establish the botany, not a toxicology verdict. If your pet ate Indian hawthorn, how much they ate and whether symptoms develop matter more than assuming it is either safe or toxic. Call your veterinarian and describe what happened.
Other plants that get confused with hawthorn
Several unrelated shrubs carry hawthorn in their common name or simply look the part, with small red berries on a thorny shrub. Water hawthorn and Indian hawthorn are different plants from true Crataegus, and plenty of ornamental berry-bearing shrubs in home landscaping are not hawthorns at all.
The practical rule: identify the plant before you decide whether to worry. Photos plus a call to your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service beats guessing.
Frequently asked questions
My dog ate a few hawthorn berries and seems fine. Do I need to do anything?
Probably not. The ASPCA lists hawthorn as non-toxic to dogs and cats. Keep an eye on them for stomach upset over the next day.
Are hawthorn leaves and flowers a problem?
They are not listed as toxic either. Large amounts of any plant material can cause stomach upset, and thorns can cause mouth injuries, a practical hazard worth as much attention as the berries.
Are hawthorn berries poisonous to cats?
The ASPCA lists hawthorn as non-toxic to cats as well. For cats, the more likely practical issues are a thorn injury or mild stomach upset.
What about the thorns?
Worth more attention than the berries. Hawthorn thorns are sharp and can cause mouth, paw, or eye injuries. If your pet is pawing at their face, drooling, or squinting after being near a hawthorn, have them examined.
A different question: hawthorn is also sold as a supplement ingredient for pets, where the amounts involved are very different from a few berries off a tree. Here is what a cardiologist looks for in heart supplements, including where hawthorn fits.
References and further reading
- ASPCA. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Hawthorn (Crataegus). aspca.org
- North Carolina State Extension. Rhaphiolepis indica (Indian Hawthorn). plants.ces.ncsu.edu
This guide is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or care. If your dog has signs of heart trouble, talk to your veterinarian.