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Tailwise

Indoors and out

Is Rose toxic to cats and dogs?

Rosa species · also called Garden rose, cut roses

Cats

Non-toxic

Dogs

Non-toxic

Roses are non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes them one of the safest choices for bouquets in a pet home. The thorns are the only real hazard.

Rose
Photo: Bernard Spragg (CC0) via flickr

Signs to watch for

  • Scratches or thorns in the mouth or paws

If a lot was eaten

No treatment is usually needed. Large amounts of any plant can cause a mild stomach upset, so call your vet if vomiting continues or your pet seems unwell. Check the mouth and paws for thorns.

The details

Roses are the easy answer when someone wants to send flowers to a cat owner — as long as the bouquet doesn’t include lilies, which are often mixed in. Garden roses may be treated with systemic insecticides or fertilisers, and those products can be harmful even when the plant itself is not.

Questions owners ask

Is Rose toxic to cats?

No. It is listed as non-toxic to cats.

Is Rose toxic to dogs?

No. It is listed as non-toxic to dogs.

What happens if a pet eats rose?

scratches or thorns in the mouth or paws.

What should I do if my pet chewed it?

No treatment is usually needed. Large amounts of any plant can cause a mild stomach upset, so call your vet if vomiting continues or your pet seems unwell. Check the mouth and paws for thorns.

Sources

  1. ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants list
  2. Merck Veterinary Manual: poisonous plants
  3. Pet Poison Helpline: poisons

Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts

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