Are Roses Toxic to Cats? What a Veterinarian Wants You to Know

Roses are red, violets are blue, if you’re a cat, are roses toxic to you? With summer here and flowers fully in bloom, you may be wondering if any are dangerous for your cats—you might even be asking specifically, "Are roses toxic to cats?" After all, with their playful personalities and natural curiosity, you wouldn’t want your furry feline to nibble on anything that could hurt them, especially something that you may have growing in your very own garden, or on display in a vase inside your home.

To find out if roses are poisonous to cats, we spoke with Virginia Beach veterinarian and pet nutritionist, Tiffany Ruiz-Dasilva. She covers everything from what can make roses hazardous to your pet’s health and what you should do if you catch your furbaby eating rose petals, to if it’s alright to have rose scents in your home, and how you can tell if your cat ingested poisonous flowers or not. She even gives tips on safe ways to display plants in your house so you don’t have to completely cut them out of your life if you are a pet parent.

Thanks to her, all of your floral concerns will be whisked away after you read what she has to say about this topic, below.

Related: 31 Cat-Safe Plants That You Should Add to Your Collection Right Meow

Are Roses Toxic to Cats?

If roses are your favorite flower, you’re in luck because Ruiz-Dasilva tells Parade Pets they are safe for cats to be around. “Roses themselves are not toxic for cats,” she shares.

However, she explains that doesn’t mean your feline housemate should be eating them. “While they are not toxic, they can cause your pet to have an upset stomach, which may lead to vomiting because roses aren’t part of their normal diet,” she notes.

Are Rose Petals Safe for Cats to Eat?

Upon sniffing a rose, if your kitty is tempted to taste a petal or two, Ruiz-Dasilva says there’s no need to worry. “Fortunately, rose petals are not toxic to cats if they are eaten, although ingestion of a large amount of roses can cause them to have a stomachache,” she points out.

Why Do Cats Eat Roses?

Like people, Ruiz-Dasilva says cats may be drawn to the sweet scents of roses, which may result in them wanting to see if they taste as good as they smell. Another reason they may feel inclined to eat flowers can be a result of them being bored.

Are Rose Thorns Dangerous for Cats?

As a pet parent, one thing you need to watch out for are a rose’s sharp thorns.

“Even though rose thorns are not poisonous to cats, they can cause puncture wounds that can become infected, so it’s important to monitor any cuts your cat gets if they are pricked by one,” Ruiz-Dasilva explains.

She adds that rose thorns can especially be unsafe if your cat bites on them, or if it gets its adorable face too close to one.

“Thorns can be dangerous because they can cause injury to a cat’s body, as well as to their mouth if they’re chewed on,” she tells Parade Pets. “Since cats also like to rub on things, there is an additional risk that they might accidentally rub their face on a thorn, which could potentially result in them injuring their eye in the process.”

Related: Is It Safe for Cats To Eat Cinnamon? A Veterinarian Explains the Truth

Pesticides from Roses and Cats

Although roses, in general, are safe for cats to be around, there are exceptions. In fact, if roses (or any flowers) have been sprayed by pesticides, they are extremely poisonous to cats.

“Roses that have been sprayed by pesticides can be toxic to cats if eaten because pesticides contain a variety of toxic substances that can be harmful to cats,” Ruiz-Dasilva warns.

What Do I Do If My Cat Ate Roses?

“The best thing you can do if your cat eats a rose and you aren’t sure if it was sprayed with pesticides or not, is to monitor your cat closely for any signs of gastrointestinal discomfort and/or signs of pesticide toxicity,” Ruiz-Dasilva explains. “Signs of toxicity can range from mild to severe and might include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors and seizures.”

However, if you want to be extra cautious in the moment, she says don’t hesitate to take action and “contact your vet immediately, because in severe cases of toxicity, it can lead to respiratory distress or death.”

Are Rose Scents Safe for Cats?

Ruiz-Dasilva tells Parade Pets that organic rose scents are normally not a problem for cats and shouldn’t cause any health scares.

“Rose scents are generally safe for cats to breathe in—however, with that being said, synthetic rose fragrances can be irritating to their airway,” she reveals. “Moreover, some scents can be too strong and may cause your cat to be uncomfortable, so make sure any room with those fragrances are well ventilated.”

Can I Have Roses in My Home With Cats?

If you’re willing to make a few minor adjustments so your cat won’t be tempted to eat or play with your roses, then Ruiz-Dasilva says you can definitely have them in your home.

“The best thing you can do is place them out of reach from your cat by arranging them in a hanging planter, or even display them in a room your cat is not allowed in,” she recommends. “If you cannot do either of those, then make sure if you have a vase of roses on your countertop, you do not add the flower food packet into its water because they contain potentially harmful chemicals for your cat if they ingest it. You can even opt to replace real roses with artificial roses in your home if you want to avoid your cat potentially ingesting them or being exposed to pesticides.”

Other Plants With "Rose" in the Name That Are Toxic to Cats

While any flower that’s sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals is considered toxic to cats, some floral species are naturally poisonous to them regardless—some of which contain “rose” in their name.

“A couple of rose-named plants cats should avoid altogether are Lenten roses, Christmas roses and desert roses,” Ruiz-Dasilva tells Parade Pets.

Flowers That Are Safe for Cats

There are some flowers that pose no threat to your furbaby, though. According to Ruiz-Dasilva, orchids, marigolds and sunflowers, are just a few examples.

Next: Everything To Know About Chocolate Poisoning in Cats—Veterinarians Share How Toxic This Treat Can Be

Source:

• Tiffany Ruiz-Dasilva, Virginia Beach veterinarian and pet nutritionist