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Roses (Rosa) are very popular both as cut and garden flowers. And that goes for cat owners too. But are the noble flowers poisonous for the house tiger or do they pose another danger?
In a nutshell
- Roses are non-toxic
- however, possess dangerous thorns
- In addition, purchased roses are often chemically treated
- not all cats nibble on flowers
Toxicity of roses
Basically, all types of roses are completely non-toxic. Not only for humans, but also for pets. This applies to all parts of the plant. So it doesn't matter if a cat eats the leaves or buds of its own or wild roses.
Rose injuries
Roses can be dangerous to cats in other ways. Almost all roses have thorns. This applies not only to the cut flowers in the vase, but also to plants in the garden. There, the cats usually keep their distance from thorny rose bushes by themselves. However, indoors, curious cats can try to play with the roses. Then it is better to put the roses out of the reach of the cats or remove the thorns so that there are no injuries.
Notice: There are a few varieties of thornless roses for the garden.
Be careful with bought roses
While roses from a florist are very tempting and make a noble gift, they can be even more dangerous to cats than plain flowers from the garden. However, this does not refer to a possible toxicity of the plant itself, rather the danger then comes from the treatment of the roses during their growth. Cut flowers are often treated with chemicals before they even reach the florist. Some examples:
- Fertilizers and agents that regulate growth
- antifungal agents
- Weed killer residues
- Means against vermin
Since the plants are not intended for consumption, the requirements for the means used are not as strict. If the cat eats the flower, it can be poisoned by the remains of the pesticide. It does not always have to be a serious poisoning, it can also just be vomiting or diarrhea.
measures
So it's advisable not to let the cat eat the roses you've been given as a gift for many reasons. But preventing this is not always so easy. Some ways that may help:
- avoid teaching the cat to play with flowers
- distracted by other toys
- Allow cat grass or harmless plants to eat
- Put roses in a room that the cat cannot access
Notice: Placing the roses in a supposedly inaccessible place can encourage the cat to climb or jump.
frequently asked Questions
What other cut flowers are suitable?Anyone who likes to use bouquets of flowers to decorate their living space and has cats must always switch to non-toxic flowers. Cut flowers of unknown origin, even if they are from the florist, should remain out of reach for cats for the reasons mentioned above. It's easier with flowers from the garden. The following species are suitable for cats: dahlias, lavender, marguerites, marigolds and sunflowers.
What flowers are dangerous for cats?All bulbous plants are more or less poisonous. This also includes all early bloomers and houseplants with bulbs. However, in order to show signs of poisoning, a cat would have to eat a lot of it. Furthermore, many garden plants are poisonous for cats, such as monkshood, delphiniums or chrysanthemums.
What about roses from your own garden?Roses and any other non-toxic garden flowers are safe to use in cat households. It is important that no pesticides are used in the garden.