Are Roses Toxic to Cats? The petals, leaves and stems of roses are not toxic to cats. However, the thorns can hurt your cat and could lead to an upset stomach or other complications.
If your cat does ingest any part of a rose, be sure to monitor them closely for symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. If you find your cat has a bad reaction to a rose, visit your vet immediately.
Roses Are Not Toxic to Cats
The Pet Poison Helpline is a 24-hour poison control service hotline available for pets and veterinary professionals. They have board-certified veterinarians, emergency care personnel, and pharmacologists on staff to assist you over the phone if you suspect your pet has ingested something dangerous or toxic.
One of the top reasons for a call to the pet poison helpline is from pets ingesting over-the-counter (OTC) medications or prescription medication for people. This includes cold medications, pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and vitamins and supplements.
Other household products, such as cleaning products, paint and adhesives, are also common causes of poisonings. In addition, many plants and flowers can be toxic to dogs and cats.
To learn more about the dangers of these items and other common toxins, download the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center App for your device. The app offers quick access to the APCC’s pet poison control hotline and other helpful resources. This app is available free for Android and Apple devices.
Common Roses
Cats are natural, curious creatures who like to sniff flowers and plants. They nudge against them, smell them and even eat them to see how good they taste.
Fortunately, most flowers aren’t toxic to cats, but roses can be problematic if your pet ingests them. If your kitty eats rose petals, stems or leaves, they may experience vomiting, diarrhea and pawing at the mouth.
If your cat eats the whole plant, they could also suffer from physical injuries, such as cuts or bruising. In addition, roses could be sprayed with pesticides that can be toxic to cats if they ingest them.
There are many toxic plants with “rose” in their name, including the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), Desert rose (Adenium obesum) and Moss rose (Portulaca oleracea). These are not only dangerous to cats but also other animals as well.
Thorns
Roses aren’t poisonous to cats, but their thorny stems can cause upset stomachs and pain for pets if they eat them. In addition, rose thorns can be toxic to humans if they break off, causing skin irritation and dermatitis.
A rose’s thorns act as a natural defense against pests such as rabbits and other animals that feed on its foliage, flowers, and stems. The sharp points on rose thorns make it difficult for these pests to climb, lay eggs or survive in the plant.
Thorns are also important to a rose’s ability to pollinate other plants. They increase the surface area on which sunshine can reach the flower’s growing tips, which helps the plant make more food necessary for growth and pollination.
Thorns can be removed without harming the rose if they’re properly prepared and cleaned. Nevertheless, if you encounter any wounds from broken stems or leaves that have leaking sap, clean the cut with rubbing alcohol and apply topical antiseptic to prevent infection.
