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If you’re a flower hoarder but also love pets – you’re in for some trouble! Or maybe not…
Roses are nature’s finest gift to us. Their alluring aroma and supple, velvety texture makes them stand apart from the rest of the flowers. Not to forget the seductive colors that these gorgeous blooms boast ever so radiantly.
One can’t help but go smitten over the mesmerizing enchantment of a sweet, simple rose!
But then you realize you have a pet cat who seems to be lured by the sweet scent of these roses. Most cats would try to devour your roses at least once in their lifetime, maybe even more if they approve of the taste!
But the question is, are roses toxic to cats?
Keep reading to find out!
Are Roses Toxic to Cats?
The good news is that a rose itself isn’t harmful to cats at all! However, it must be understood that these fragrant blooms are not meant to be ingested by any pets (whether a dog or a cat).
Ingestion of a rose stem or petal may result in mild tummy upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. This can easily be treated and should not be a cause of much worry.
Then Why are Roses Still Rendered Toxic to Cats?
You must have received some pieces of advice from pet lovers to strictly keep your cats away from roses. Those pet lovers aren’t entirely wrong.
Pesticides
The problem isn’t the rose; it’s the pesticide sprayed all over the body of this flower. Pesticides are hazardous, and once ingested by a cat, they can lead to alarming symptoms such as drooling, excessive vomiting, and lethargy. Severe symptoms include tremors and seizures.
Consult your vet as soon as you notice the onset of such symptoms.
Thorns
Not all, but some roses have edgy and sharp thorns that can easily bruise the insides of your cat’s mouth during chewing.
Furthermore, swallowing these thorny stems may cause more damage to the cat’s throat lining, so it is suggested to train your cat to steer clear of such roses.
If the wounds are not extensive, they can easily be treated by using an antibiotic ointment.
Different Species of Roses
Real roses do not pose a threat to your cat. However, a few species delineating from the line of pure roses may be poisonous and highly dangerous for your cat.
These harmful varieties of roses are mentioned below;
- Desert Rose
- Moss Rose
- Christmas Rose
- Rosebay
- Primrose
- Rose of Sharon
How do I Keep My Cat Away from My Roses?
If you’ve come this far, it means you’re green-fingered, and you just can’t abandon your love for roses!
That’s alright; you can pursue your passion while ensuring your cat’s safety by implementing these recommendations below.
These steps will come in handy if your little 4-pawed fellow likes to munch on the fleshy petals of your roses.
Repellent Sprays
Citrus-infused repellent sprays are easily available in the market. You can spray it all over your gorgeous blooms, and your cat won’t bat an eye towards them!
The strong, acidic scent will fend off your furry friend in no time.
You can even spray some cayenne pepper found on your kitchen shelves to keep cats away from your flowers.
Keep the Roses Beyond Reach
Even though cats are highly flexible and can reach almost anywhere, there are still a few tricks to put a halt to their naughtiness!
Placing your roses in hanging baskets or top-tier shelves may be successful at making them inaccessible.
Train Your Cat
Cats are intelligent and sensible creatures. Though these felines may be a lot more stubborn and rigid compared to dogs, they can still conform to learning.
Reinforcing the same lesson over and over again will gradually distract your cat from your lovely roses.
Use Cat Grass
If all else fails, and your cat simply refuses to leave your roses alone, then it’s time to get your hands on some cat grass.
This synthetic block of grass will help distract your cat by drawing attention to itself.
Ask Away: The FAQ Section
Which flowers are safe for cats?
- Freesia
- Gerber Daisies
- Asters
- Liatris
- Alstroemeria
- Lisianthus
- Orchid
Why does my act eat flowers?
Most of the time, cats like to explore and set their teeth on fresh, unique textures. If they’re young, they would probably chew on flowers for teething purposes.
Which plants are toxic for cats?
- Spring bulbs
- Sago palm
- Amaryllis
- Dieffenbachia
- Autumn Crocus
- Azaleas and Rhododendrons
- Tulips
- Castor Bean
- Kalanchoe
- Chrysanthemum
- Daffodils