Serviceberry shrub and dogs - Ask Extension
We were hoping to plant some serviceberry (Autumn brilliance) shrubs but can't find any definitive answer as to whether it is toxic to dogs (not on AS...
Knowledgebase
Serviceberry shrub and dogs #760889
Asked July 09, 2021, 4:29 PM EDT
We were hoping to plant some serviceberry (Autumn brilliance) shrubs but can't find any definitive answer as to whether it is toxic to dogs (not on ASPCA list either). If it just doesn't "agree" with dogs is one thing but if eating one berry would kill them that's another thing. We know it's toxic to horses but opinions seem divided on dogs. Any insights would be appreciated.
Adams County Colorado
Expert Response
I would recommend consulting a veterinarian as I'm a horticulturalist and animals are a bit above my pay grade. That said, I don't think there is much risk planting service berry. Here is a response for Dr. Anthony Knight to a similar question from a couple years ago:
"Service berry leaves and green fruits are poisonous to livestock that eat quantities of them because their digestive system converts the cyanogenic glycosides into cyanide. Dogs do not have a rumen, and therefore would be very unlikely to be affected by service berry. If the dog eats quantities of the unripe fruits it may vomit and get diarrhea."\
Hope this helps.
