Are Roses Toxic to Cats?

If you have a cat that explores the outdoors occasionally, or a yard with rosebushes in them, you might wonder, “Are roses toxic to cats?”

Many plants and flowers are toxic to cats, but fortunately, rose flowers are not a threat to your curious cat. Roses are a pet-safe flower, whether they are part of a bouquet or in a home garden.

Are Roses Safe for Cats?

There are about 150 natural species of roses (genus Rosa, family Rosaceae) and many more if you count the cultivated variations. Thankfully, none of these are toxic to cats if licked or ingested.

However, as we’ll discuss, the thorny stems of the rose plant can be potentially harmful to cats if ingested or rubbed against.

Also, any cat that has a habit of chewing, licking, or eating greenery or plant material should be monitored very carefully around plants and flowers. With roses, it’s not the flower or plant itself that’s worrisome; it’s the chemicals and fertilizers that may be on the plant or included in the plant food that are toxic.

Rose Leaves and Petals

While a rose’s sweet scent might attract your cat’s interest, your cat will likely discover that this flower doesn’t taste as good as it smells.

And, even though the petals, stems, and leaves don’t contain any toxin that alone would cause an issue for your cat, any plant material that is ingested by a cat has the potential to cause an upset stomach, with symptoms that may include vomiting, diarrhea, or a decreased appetite. This is because cats are carnivores, and their digestive system is not used to processing plant material.

If symptoms do occur, they should be short-lived and vomit will often contain parts of the flower. If symptoms persist longer than 24-48 hours, contact your veterinarian to discuss next steps.  

Rose Thorns

Roses are adorned with spiny thorns along their stems, and while you can request a de-thorned bouquet, cultivating roses without thorns is not possible.

These thorns can pose a threat to cats, possibly injuring the mouth or digestive tract if licked, chewed, or ingested. The eyes and skin can also be at risk if a cat rubs against the thorns. Cats tend to rub their face or body on objects both to explore and mark their territory, putting them at risk of cuts and scrapes from the sharp thorns.

Thorns may leave small wounds or cuts, with some potentially going unnoticed beneath your cat’s thick fur. If left untreated, a wound can turn into an abscess, or infection, appearing as a mass or lump.

Our feline friends, with their curious nature, also use their paws to hold things they want to investigate or ingest, putting their paws at risk of damage from thorns. The sensitive paw pads can experience pain and lameness even from minor abrasions from thorns.

Ingesting or chewing on thorns can also harm the mouth and the digestive system lining, potentially leading to internal bleeding, depending on the amount consumed. If any thorns are chewed or ingested, contact your vet for a quick visit to ensure no injuries.

Pesticides and Flower Food

Beyond potential injury, the main risk associated with roses for cats lies in the pesticides or flower food that may accompany them—these are highly toxic to cats. Flower food is often included with bouquets in small packets. Pesticides may be applied in outdoor rose beds to help with garden maintenance.

If you have a landscaper, communicate with them about the use of pesticides in your lawn or garden, ensuring they know the presence of pets. Inquire about pet-safe options for pesticides, or guidelines about keeping your pets away from the area.

The water of a flower vase or stagnant water around the garden can also be toxic. Make sure your cat does not drink water from a flower vase or outdoor puddles.

Pesticide poisoning in cats can cause:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Decreased or loss of appetite

• Fever

• Lethargy

• Seizures

• Muscle tremors

• Trouble breathing

• Drooling

• Ataxia (trouble walking)

• Coma or, in severe cases, death

If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

My Cat Ate Roses. What Do I Do?

Fortunately, roses themselves are non-toxic to cats. If your cat has eaten any part of the rose bush or flower, toxicity is only a concern if flower food or pesticides were involved. If there’s concern about toxicity, contact the Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian right away.

You might notice mild vomiting with parts of the rose petals in it. If vomiting persists more than a few times or if rose thorns were ingested, a vet visit is advisable to ensure no complications.

For minor wounds caused by rose thorns, clean the area using pet-safe antimicrobial wipes or a cat-safe wound cleanser. For any other types of damage from rose thorns, visit your veterinarian for appropriate treatment.  

Other “Roses” That ARE Toxic to Cats

Some other flowers and plants with the word “rose” in their name aren’t true roses but belong to other plant families and are toxic to cats. These include:

• Desert Rose (Adenium obesum): also known as the Desert Azalea or Impala Lily

• Easter Rose (Helleborus niger): also known as Christmas Rose, Lenten Rose, or Hellebore

• Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

• Rosebay (Nerium oleander and Rhododendron species): also known as Oleander or Azalea

• Moss Rose (Portulaca oleracea): also known as Purslane, Rock Moss, Pigweed, and Wild Portulaca

Featured Image: Kanashi via iStock / Getty Images Plus