Dogs are inherently very inquisitive and will explore their environment using their eyes, noses, and mouths.
Because of this, they frequently consume items that they shouldn’t chew on or swallow. However, what happens if Fido eats a bouquet of roses? Does anyone know if they’re dangerous for the family dog?
You probably have some serious worries if your dog has recently consumed a bouquet of roses. Both the flower’s possible toxicity and the thorns’ potential to injure your dog should be taken into consideration. Roses, like dandelion greens and petunias, are generally safe for canine consumption.
Discuss the options you have when Fido eats your rose bushes in the garden. We go over warning signs and discuss when it’s time to contact your vet. We should just dive in.
Are Roses Poisonous Or Toxic To Dogs?
Flowers, petals, and rose hips from true roses (Rosa) do not poison dogs, cats, or humans.
These plants, if consumed in large quantities, may give some people stomachaches for a day or two, but this is only because the digestive system is not adapted to processing so much plant material.
As an added bonus, the red rosehip has hairy, irritant seeds. However, the hip’s flesh is edible and was harvested as a vital local source of Vitamin C during WWII when other fruits were scarce.
Others with similar-sounding names to roses are actually quite dangerous. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum) and hibiscus plants, both commonly known as “Rose of Sharon,” are mildly toxic to dogs if consumed in large quantities.
Consumption of large amounts of Rose Periwinkle (Catharanthus) can also be fatal. Peony plants, whose flowers resemble roses, are thought to be toxic, as they cause vomiting, diarrhea, and depression in canines.
Keep in mind that roses are frequently treated with insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers by gardeners, all of which can be harmful to dogs if ingested.
The real risk arises from roses’ thorns, which can pierce your dog’s soft mouth and throat tissues if he decides to snack on one.
My Dog Ate My Roses. What Should I Do?
The first thing you should do if Fido gets into the rose bushes is to determine how much damage he may have caused. If you want to reduce your risk of getting sick, hurt, or bleeding out, follow these simple steps.
Step #1: Remove The Roses
Crate Fido and take him to a safe place immediately. This will only make matters worse by preventing them from eating. Any leftover roses should be picked up and disposed of as soon as possible.
Step #2: Assess What Was Eaten
If possible, be specific about the foods and drinks that were consumed. To what extent has rose been consumed? To what extent do the roses’ thorns and spikes protrude?
Can you tell me if they’ve been recently sprayed with lawn and garden chemicals? Remember to record the approximate time that your dog consumed them.
Step #3: Observe For Injuries Or Illness
Have you noticed any bleeding, most notably from Fido’s mouth? Can you tell if your dog is in pain or suffering? Is there anything going on that might be causing you pain or discomfort in your gut?
Your dog may be feeling a little uneasy right now, so please take care. Never, unless absolutely necessary, peer inside your dog’s mouth.
Step #4: Contact Your Veterinarian
Get in touch with your local veterinary clinic as soon as possible if you are worried or observe any concerning symptoms.
Even if you don’t notice any obvious signs of pain or illness, it’s usually worth calling your vet just to be safe.
Step #5: Follow Your Vet’s Advice
Listen to your pet’s veterinarian. They may inquire as to the current condition of your dog, its age, its size, and the specifics of its diet.
If your dog has sustained mouth damage, a vet checkup and examination is highly recommended.
The Benefits and Modalities of Roses in Pet Care
Roses are good for you because they contain polyphenols, which are a powerful antioxidant. Like blueberries, roses contain the natural antioxidant polyphenols in abundance. It also contains Vitamin C, which helps maintain a healthy immune system.
Although rose petals and leaves get the most use, rose stems and bark are also useful.
Rose bark is the most concentrated and thus the “strongest” component of the rose. Rose bark may be beneficial for pets, but owners should check with their vet before giving it as a supplement.
Actually, before giving any natural product to your dog, it is best to consult with your vet.
Roses have numerous health benefits for dogs, and you can incorporate them into your dog’s regular routine in a variety of ways, such as with rose tea, rose vinegar, and aromatherapy.
Rose Tea
Rose tea is the most common use for roses. While it is possible to drink this like any other tea, it is more commonly used topically. The following medical issues may benefit from drinking rose tea:
Infectious Conjunctivitis
Rose tea’s anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal solution for treating eye infections or reducing the discomfort caused by foreign bodies (such as dirt, sand, or hair) that have scratched the cornea and been washed in.
Skin that is constantly itchy and dry
If you want your skin and fur to look and feel their best, try adding some rose tea to your next bath. Natural rose oils are exceptionally hydrating and smell divine; they are of particular benefit to dogs with itchy or dry skin.
Miniature Cuts and Scrapes
Rose tea’s antibacterial properties make it a useful antiseptic for cleaning minor cuts and scrapes.
A Discomfort In The Stomach
Your dog’s upset stomach can be calmed by adding 1 tablespoon of rose tea (per 20 pounds) to his water bowl.
Rose Vinegar
Since it contains only benign, naturally occurring ingredients, rose vinegar is also a favorite among dog owners who prefer an all-natural approach to treating their pet. Mix equal parts of rose petals and unfiltered apple cider vinegar.
Rose vinegar is beneficial to your dog’s physical and mental health in the same ways that apple cider vinegar is. The following medical issues may benefit from rose vinegar treatment:
Skin Itching
Rose vinegar, like rose tea, has the ability to calm dry, irritated skin.
Wearing a Coat That Is Dull and Dry
Rose vinegar is great for the skin and hair of both humans and canines. The acidity of the vinegar and the natural polyphenols in the rose petals work together to exfoliate the skin, leaving the coat smooth and shiny.
The Problem of Fleas and Ticks
In order to naturally repel or prevent fleas and ticks, pet owners will use apple cider vinegar. You can prevent parasites from attaching to your pet and causing them discomfort by using rose vinegar or plain apple cider vinegar in your pet’s bath.
Rose Hydrosol (aromatherapy)
Rose’s aromatherapy benefits are effective for treating all sorts of mental disorders because it instantly relieves stress and anxiety.
When you are away from home, your dog may feel more at ease if you use a diffuser to disperse the calming aroma of rose essential oil. The calming effects of rose hydrosol can be applied topically to a dog’s body and absorbed through its skin.
In comparison to rose essential oil, which requires hundreds of individual roses to produce just one drop, rose hydrosol is a more wallet-friendly option while still providing the same cognitive benefits. Rose hydrosol aromatherapy can help dogs with:
Anxiety
Aggression
Psychological injury
Stress and worry when separated
What Happens If A Dog Eats A Rose?
Even though rose can cause mild gastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea), its effects usually subside within a day or two at the most. There’s no reason to tailor your treatment to this.
The greatest danger is that the thorns will tear their skin and flesh. The mouth and eyes are the most delicate parts of the body.
Thorns are extremely sharp and, if they break off, can become lodged under the skin or even in the mouth. If this is the case, there will likely be bloody wounds all over the body.
When a dog is in pain, it will often rub or lick at the area. If a dog’s eyes have been hurt, it may close them to protect them. Pawing at the mouth, distress, drooling, and bleeding are all signs that the wounds are located in the mouth.
Small Wounds Caused By Roses
We can safely treat minor injuries at home if they aren’t too big of a deal. Keeping them clean and dry is essential, just as it is with human wounds. Since dogs tend to make their wounds worse by licking them, an Elizabethan collar (or “cone of shame”) may be necessary for a few days to prevent your dog from accessing them. Get them checked out by the vet if they aren’t healing properly.
Worrying Wounds Caused By Roses
Seek immediate veterinary attention if you are unable to assess the wounds, they appear severe, or the dog is in distress.
Any injury to the mouth, which can cause excessive bleeding and spread to the upper part of the esophagus, requires veterinary attention.
Extreme bleeding from the mouth, especially the tongue, has been the cause of death for some dogs. In order to avoid this, a quick visit to the vet is recommended.
If your dog has suffered eye injury, it is essential to have it examined. For this reason, it is crucial to have a veterinarian examine the eyes to rule out any serious damage. If vision issues aren’t treated, they can easily lead to blindness.
Pain is inevitable when dealing with wounds. Because of this, in order to properly assess your dog’s damage, veterinarians will typically advise either sedation or a general anesthetic. Particularly so in the oral cavity. Unfortunately, while the dog is awake, you cannot examine its entire mouth and throat.
The veterinarians can apply pressure to the wound to stem the bleeding, clean it, and then close it (with stitches or staples) if necessary.
It’s best to have a pro handle this as soon as possible. If a dog has a particularly nasty wound, the vet may prescribe pain medication and antibiotics before sending it home.
The effects of ingesting rose garden chemicals vary widely depending on the specific chemical and the amount consumed.
If you are worried, however, you should consult your local veterinary clinic for specific guidance.
Will My Dog Be Okay?
Rose bush consumption typically has no negative effects on canine health. Most dogs recover completely and normally from even the mildest stomach upsets within a day or two.
Even minor cuts and scrapes should mend rapidly and easily. Roses are considered to be safe for pets and most dogs will be fine after eating them.
The prognosis for Fido is less certain if he has serious wounds, especially to the face.
Most dogs will do well and recover with prompt and decisive action and professional veterinary care, but this may take longer and can leave them with long-term problems.
Rose Bush Chewing Prevention
Dogs who show an interest in rose bushes should be trained and redirected away from the plants as soon as possible.
If you want to plant roses in your garden, it’s best to go with thornless or low-spike varieties. Fencing your roses off could be a good idea if they pose a threat.
A Well-Rounded Option
There are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory nutrients throughout the entire rose. It is useful for treating and preventing skin irritation, digestive problems, and flea and tick infestations.
In addition, the calming effect of roses can help calm down your dog if it tends to get anxious or overexcited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are roses pet-safe?
In most cases, your pet can safely interact with any part of a rose or rose bush. Be wary of the roses’ thorniness and of the chemicals you put on them.
What if my dog ate roses?
Your dog may sustain physical harm from roses; if the injury is severe, especially if it occurred in the dog’s mouth or eyes, you should take him to the vet.
Should I be concerned about rose thorns?
Yes, if Fido likes to sniff your roses while you’re out for walks or in the garden. Licking thorns or chewing on a rose stem can cause small puncture wounds in dogs that will need time to heal. If the dog eats them, it could be dangerous.
Why does my dog eat plants?
Dogs are naturally inquisitive and frequently put their noses and mouths to use when discovering their environment. Dogs, like humans, frequently need something to gnaw on. So, roses can be dangerous in the garden because of this.
Final Thoughts
Dogs and cats aren’t in danger from true roses or rose bushes or rose petals or rose hips or rose leaves. However, they may be contaminated with hazardous garden chemicals. There is a wide variety of injuries the thorns can cause to a dog’s body.
Most dogs will make a full recovery with veterinary care, though injuries to the mouth and eyes are the most critical and require immediate attention. Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible if you have any concerns.