Yes, dogs can eat roses as an occasional treat. Roses are packed with Vitamin C and polyphenols. Roses, however, should be fed under proper supervision as the rose stem has thorns and can be dangerous for your dog.
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What Are Roses?
A rose is a perennial flower plant in the Rosaceae family. They are a collection of plants that might be upright shrubs, climbing plants, or trailing plants with stinging prickles on their stems. Their blooms come in various sizes and shapes, but they are often enormous and spectacular, with colors ranging from white or yellow to red. Most species are endemic to Asia, except in Europe, North America, and northwest Africa.
Are Roses Safe For Dogs?
Roses are safe for dogs in moderation only if they belong to the Rosaceae family of genus Rosa. However, you must be mindful of the parts of the rose before feeding it to your dog.
Thorns: If your pet runs through your garden and gets grabbed by a thorn, the ensuing wounds can be severe enough to inflict permanent harm.
Rose care products: Rose care products can be harmful to dogs. You might be using some products to keep your rose blooming and stay out of insect infestations. But the products might be toxic to dogs and cause severe harm.
Why Are Roses Good For Dogs?
Roses (Rosa spp.) are suitable for dogs in moderation as they have vitamins and antioxidants. However, apart from vitamins and antioxidants, there are other benefits too, which we will discuss below:
Vitamin C: Vitamin C serves as a powerful antioxidant. It can help prevent inflammation and cognitive aging by scavenging potentially damaging free radicals in the body. Although dogs’ livers can generate vitamin C on their own, supplementation may provide health advantages in some situations.
Polyphenol: As your dog ages, he may acquire a variety of ailments ranging from cancer to heart disease, osteoporosis to diabetes. Polyphenols assist in keeping your dog healthy by preventing the development of certain conditions.
Apart from this vitamin and antioxidants, roses can help your dog in various other ways:
Rose tea
Rose tea is the most popular use of roses. While it may be consumed like tea, it is more commonly used as a topical therapy. Rose tea can be used to treat any of the following ailments:
Eye infection: Rose tea functions as an anti-inflammatory when rinsed or dropped softly and safely in the eye, speeding up the healing process associated with eye infections or foreign substances detected in the eye, which may scrape the surface of the cornea and create discomfort.
Dry and irritated skin: Bath time with rose tea is a terrific way to promote healthy skin and hair. It’s especially beneficial for dogs with itchy or dry skin because the natural rose oils are highly moisturizing and smell wonderful.
Minor wounds: Rose tea is antimicrobial, so bathing tiny wounds or scrapes with it will help keep them from getting infected.
Upset stomach: If you put 1 tbsp of rose tea in your dog’s water dish, it will help soothe an upset stomach.
Rose vinegar
Rose vinegar is a popular alternative for holistic dog treatment since its components are simple and naturally occurring. Rose petals and ACV are combined to make it. Like apple cider vinegar, rose vinegar provides many health advantages for your dog. It is equally beneficial to your dog’s physical wellbeing. Therefore, Rose vinegar can be used to treat the following ailments:
Itchy skin: As rose tea helps with the dog’s skin condition, so does rose vinegar.
Dull and dry coat: Rose vinegar is beneficial to dogs’ hair and skin. The rose petals’ natural polyphenols, mixed with the vinegar’s acidity, help scrape away dead tissue and maintain the coat lustrous and silky.
Fleas and ticks: Pet owners who wish to repel or prevent fleas and ticks naturally use apple cider vinegar. Incorporating rose vinegar or plain apple cider vinegar into your pet’s bath regimen will help keep undesirable bugs at bay and keep your dog happy.
Rose hydrosol
Rose aromatherapy is beneficial for all mental illnesses since its fragrance naturally soothes the psyche and helps to ease. Rose essential oil may be used to a diffuser to fill your house with a pleasant aroma while also relaxing a nervous dog while away. In addition, rose hydrosol may be administered directly to the dog’s body, and its soothing properties will penetrate the skin. Therefore, rose hydrosol helps in:
Anxiety
Aggression
Emotional trauma
Separation anxiety
Why Are Roses Bad For Dogs?
Roses can be bad for dogs in various ways. Consuming excessive roses will cause:
Stomach upset
Diarrhea
Pawing at the face or mouth
Lethargy
Drooling
Abdominal pain and discomfort
Inappetence
Vomiting
GI Issues
The rose shrub has thorns. Your dog might consume thorns or get hold of it and injure himself. Hence thorns can affect your dog in various ways, such as:
Choking hazard: Consuming thorns can be dangerous for your dog. It can get lodged in his throat and intestines, causing several internal damages. The consequences of consuming thorns are:
Mouth injury
Blood in gums
Bleeding throat
Inappetence
Rupture esophagus
Intestinal blockage
Intestine puncture
Bloodies diarrhea
Outer injuries: Touching or coming in contact with thorns will lead to:
Redness in the eye
Squinting
Bloods in pricked areas
Bloodies paws and paw pads
Inflammation
Commercial rose products: Commercial rose products have disulfoton which is dangerous for dogs. This compound is applied to rose bushes to keep them free from insects; however, it can be dangerous if dogs come across it. The consequences of somehow consuming commercial rose products are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
GI upset
Convulsions
Tremors
Muscle cramps
How Much Roses To Serve Your Dogs?
Roses of genus Rosa should be served minimally to dogs. It is not mandatory to serve roses, but if you feel like providing your dog with a new treat, you may serve a petal or two occasionally. However, it is better to consult with the vet before introducing rose to your dog.
How To Serve Roses To My Dogs?
Serving roses is not tricky. You will have to separate the petals from the blossom and wash them properly. You may boil water and then pour the petals into it. Turn it simmer for a few minutes, and then serve it to your dog after it cools down! Rose tea can be a nice treat for your dog occasionally.
Your dog might not even like the fragrance of the rose. In that case, you need not offer him a rose, rose tea, or rose vinegar.
What If My Dog Ate Roses?
Consuming petals and leaves are not of concern. However, if your dog consumes thorns and commercial rose products accidentally, you should right away visit the vet and seek treatment.
Your vet will start the treatment immediately. He will be aware of the hazard. Follow as per your vet prescribes. The next step is, you will have to keep rose and rose products out of your dog’s reach.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, we can comprehend that roses have minimal benefits. However, if you want to feed your dog with a rose, it is best to look out for the natural rose and consider the risk factors. Consult your vet before introducing rose in your dog’s diet. Also, moderation is the key! Ensure a healthy and happy life for your dog.
