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Is Nightshade (Deadly) Toxic to Cats?

☠️ ToxicSeverity: Severe
✅ Cross-checked against veterinary poison-control guidance · Oct 2026 audit
⚠️ Educational info only. If your pet just chewed something and looks unwell, skip the reading and call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (US): (855) 764-7661.
Yes, deadly nightshade is severely toxic to cats. Its berries and foliage contain tropane alkaloids that cause rapid hallucination, heart failure and death.

Also known as: Belladonna, Deadly Nightshade · Atropa belladonna

What makes it toxic

Tropane alkaloids — atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine — concentrated in the black berries and roots. They block the parasympathetic nervous system.

Warning signs to watch for

Dilated pupils, dry mouth, drooling, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, disorientation, tremors and seizures, often within an hour of ingestion.

What to do if your cat eats it

This is a life-threatening emergency. Go to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately with the berries or leaves, even if only one berry was swallowed.

Common questions

Can one deadly nightshade berry kill a cat?

Very possibly. The berries are highly concentrated with atropine-like alkaloids, and cats are small. Treat any berry ingestion as potentially fatal.

Are the berries attractive to cats?

Cats rarely seek out berries, but the shiny black fruit is easy to bat around and bite. Remove the plant from gardens pets use.

More plants checked for cats

Pothos☠️ ToxicYes, pothos is toxic to cats. Chewing the leaves or vines releases sharp calcium oxalate crystalAloe Vera⚠️ Mildly ToxicAloe vera is mildly to moderately toxic to cats. The gel is famously soothing for human skin, buSpider Plant✅ Non-ToxicNo, spider plants are non-toxic to cats. They are one of the best houseplants for homes with curEaster Lily☠️ ToxicYes — and this is one of the most dangerous plants a cat can meet. Every part of an Easter lily,Sago Palm☠️ ToxicYes — sago palm is severely toxic to cats and among the deadliest houseplants. Every part contaiBoston Fern✅ Non-ToxicNo, Boston ferns are non-toxic to cats — a classic choice for plant-loving cat households.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.