If you live in New Zealand, chances are you’ve seen karaka berries starting to appear around this time of year. Bright, bold, and absolutely loved by our native birds, they’re a huge part of the natural ecosystem, and something I truly appreciate and respect.
At Pup and Running, I don’t discriminate against nature. I love all animals, and karaka trees play an important role in feeding birds and supporting our environment.
But here’s the hard truth: karaka berries are toxic to dogs at every stage of their life cycle.
And during karaka berry season, that matters more than ever.
Why Karaka Berries Are Dangerous for Dogs
Karaka berries contain a toxin that affects dogs neurologically. Unlike some plants that are only mildly irritating, karaka berries can cause serious poisoning, and there is no “safe” stage for dogs, not the flower, not the green berry, not the ripe fruit, and not the seed.
Dogs don’t need to eat many for it to be dangerous, a single lick is dangerous
What makes this especially tricky is that karaka berries can look interesting, smell appealing, and are often scattered across parks, footpaths, and grassy areas where dogs naturally sniff and explore.
Symptoms of Karaka Berry Poisoning
If a dog has ingested karaka berries, symptoms may include:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy or weakness
- Muscle tremors or twitching
- Loss of coordination
- Seizures in severe cases
If you ever suspect your dog has eaten karaka berries, it’s not a “wait and see” situation. Veterinary attention is needed immediately.
Why This Is a Seasonal Problem
Karaka berries go through multiple stages across the season: flowering, forming, ripening, dropping and every single stage is unsafe for dogs. That means there isn’t a window where they’re “okay” or “less dangerous”.
During peak season, berries fall to the ground in large numbers, making them very easy for dogs to accidentally ingest, especially dogs who like to sniff, scavenge, or eat things quickly.
What I Do With Petal
Petal is not a scavenger, but I still stay very aware during karaka berry season. I actively scan the ground on walks, avoid known karaka-heavy areas, and advocate hard for her safety. Even a curious sniff followed by a quick nibble can be too much.
This isn’t about fear, it’s about awareness.
The other option if you are seriously worried and it helps calm any anxieties is muzzle training.
Loving Nature and Protecting Our Dogs
This isn’t a “karaka trees are bad” post. They’re not. They’re incredible for birds and part of what makes our environment so special.
But dogs don’t process toxins the way birds do, and as dog owners, it’s our job to bridge that gap. We can love nature and protect our dogs at the same time.
Knowing what to look for, understanding the risks, and being a little more alert during karaka berry season can quite literally save a dog’s life.
Karaka Berries Are Everywhere in Auckland
If you’re in Auckland, karaka berries aren’t just a “bush walk” problem. They’re everywhere.
You’ll find them in dog parks, along walking tracks, and right where our dogs love to sniff and splash. Places like Churchill Park (down the bottom near the creek,) Meola Reef dog park, Orakei Basin, and all along the waterfront on Tāmaki Drive are prime examples. These are popular, well-loved dog walking spots, and karaka trees are well established in these areas.
On top of that, birds play a big role in spreading karaka berries. They eat the fruit and drop berries or seeds as they move around, which means karaka berries can appear in places you wouldn’t expect, open grass, paths, reserves, and even areas without a visible karaka tree nearby.
That’s what makes this so tricky. You can be doing everything right, walking your dog in familiar spots, and still come across them.
This isn’t about avoiding nature or stopping dogs from enjoying the outdoors. It’s about awareness. Knowing what karaka berries look like at every stage and keeping an eye out during the season can make all the difference.
Karaka berry season is one of those uniquely New Zealand things that every dog owner should know about. If you walk your dog anywhere near trees, parks, or reserves, it’s worth familiarising yourself with what karaka berries look like in all their stages.
Awareness is everything.
If this post helps even one dog stay safe, it’s worth sharing.
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