While raw rowanberries (also known as mountain ash berries) aren’t exactly a treat for humans, they aren’t technically poisonous to us either. The real culprit is parasorbic acid, which gives the berries an incredibly bitter punch. But what about our four-legged friends? Are these bright red berries safe for dogs?
Rowanberries are mildly toxic to dogs
When it comes to our pets, the situation is a bit different. For dogs and cats, eating raw rowanberries is considered mildly toxic. This is especially true for unripe fruit, which contains higher concentrations of parasorbic acid. If your pup decides to snack on them, it can quickly lead to an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea.
How much you need to worry really depends on your specific dog. Generally speaking, most animals won’t eat something that tastes bad—they might take a curious nibble and then decide it’s definitely not for them. Because of that extreme bitterness, it’s unlikely your dog will scarf down a large enough amount to cause serious trouble.
However, we all know that one dog who will eat just about anything! To play it safe, it’s a good idea to avoid planting rowan trees in areas where your dog spends a lot of time. If you already have one in your yard, you might even consider transplanting the tree to a spot that’s fenced off from your furry friend.
