Can Dogs Eat Rose Petals? Are they Toxic?

The good news is that no part of true roses are toxic to dogs, including the petals. Eating rose blossoms will not cause your furry friend any significant harm if he decides to snack on a few. Excessive consumption of rose petals could make your pup poorly though. Be mindful of plants that look like roses and have rose in their name, but are actually toxic to pets.

As a dog owner, you also need to be aware of potentially dangerous weed killers, pesticides and chemicals some rose bushes may be treated with. Rose plants are not a healthy food choice for canines and the sharp thorns can cause damage to a dog’s mouth or eyes. There are also some flowering plants grown in the agriculture plant hardiness zones that have “rose” in their name yet are not true roses and could be toxic to animals. Disulfoton is sometimes used in rose granule products and can be deadly to dogs and cats.

Roses are perfectly safe flowers and have a strong and unique aroma, which can tempt your dog to take a bite. Some dogs may accidentally gobble up fallen rose petals that have been mixed in with grass. The main reason your dog will want to have a taste of a rose petal is curiosity.

Are roses poisonous if eaten by a pup? If your dog eats a few leaves or petals from a rose plant, he will probably be ok. Too many petals or leaves could give your pooch a poorly tummy.

You shouldn’t allow your four-legged friend to eat too many rose petals and should contact your vet immediately if your dog shows any of the following symptoms:

• Excessive diarrhea or vomiting.

• Rubbing or licking a particular area. This could be a sign that your dog is in distress from a thorn wound.

• A severe, bleeding mouth wound. Blood loss from the mouth or tongue can be fatal in dogs and should be treated as an emergency.

• Eye damage from dried rose thorns. Untreated eye wounds can result in the loss of sight and sometimes even a dog’s eye. Watch out for signs of redness, squinting, light sensitivity and rapid blinking which may indicate a scratched eye.

A vet will be able to stop bleeding from a wound, clean it and close them with stitches or staples. If your dog eats rose petals from a bush that has been treated with chemicals, monitor your dog closely. In most cases your pooch will experience a poorly tummy, however if you’re concerned your vet can give you advice. When speaking to your veterinarian, try to give as much detail as possible including how much rose was eaten, whether thorns were consumed and if the area has recently been treated with chemicals.

Unlike roses, some plants are highly toxic to dogs and should be kept away from your pet.

Lilies: ingesting just a few petals from a lily by a dog or cat can lead to kidney failure.

Azalea: even if a small part of the azalea flower can cause sickness, diarrhea and drooling if consumed by a dog. In severe cases, dogs may experience breathing difficulties and even suffer from a coma.

Tulips: the bulb of this popular flower contains a poisonous substance that is highly toxic to dogs. If your pooch consumes a tulip bulb, he may experience diarrhea, vomiting, excessive drooling and a lack of appetite.

Daffodils: this bright springtime flower also contains a dangerous substance that could even cause cardiac arrhythmia in dogs, an irregular heartbeat.

Crocus: spring crocuses can cause mild tummy upsets and vomiting, however autumn crocuses can have more serious consequences if ingested by dogs.

Oleander: commonly found in backyards and gardens in the US, Oleander is one of the most deadly plants to animals. If ingested, this flower can cause an increased heart rate and stomach upset that will need immediate medical attention.

If your dog eats any poisonous flower, you should take an emergency trip to your vet.