Being a responsible pet owner includes knowing risks and dangers for your pets. Of course, this is easier said than done in a world full of tasty things to eat and dangerous situations around every corner. You can take a deep breath and relax a bit about rose hips, which are safe for animals.
Just because rose hips aren’t technically toxic doesn’t mean they’re necessarily safe. The bush might have been sprayed with bug spray, or your pet might be allergic to the plant. You never know.
Rose hips are the fruit of rose plants that form after the flowers bloom These bright red berry-like pods are packed with beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants If you’ve ever noticed your dog noshing on rose hips in your garden, you may wonder – can dogs eat rose hips safely? Are there benefits? Or are they toxic for pets? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about feeding rose hips to dogs.
What Are Rose Hips?
Rose hips grow on many species of rose plants including dog rose rugosa rose, and rock rose. They form after the flower petals fall off, revealing a small round fruit. Rose hips range in color from orange to ruby red. Inside the hard outer skin is a fleshy pulp filled with tiny seeds.
Rose hips have an earthy, tart taste. They can be eaten raw but are more commonly used dried or made into powders and teas. Rose hips have a long history of use in traditional folk medicine thanks to their nutritional content and potential health benefits.
Nutritional Value of Rose Hips for Dogs
Rose hips are packed with beneficial vitamins minerals and compounds
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Vitamin C – Rose hips contain very high levels of vitamin C. This important antioxidant supports immune function and collagen production.
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Vitamin E – A fat soluble antioxidant that enhances skin, coat, and immune health.
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Vitamin K – Important for proper blood clotting. Also supports bone and dental health.
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Flavonoids – Antioxidants that reduce inflammation and may protect cells from damage.
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Lycophene – A carotenoid antioxidant that gives rose hips their red color. It has anti-inflammatory effects.
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Tannins – Plant compounds that may help prevent urinary tract infections.
The vitamin C content of rose hips is especially notable. Just 1 tablespoon of dried rose hip powder contains as much vitamin C as 60 oranges!
Are Rose Hips Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Both the flesh and hairs inside of rose hip fruit are considered safe for dogs to eat. The seeds are also not toxic, however they do contain tiny irritating hairs that can get lodged in the mouth or throat. For this reason, it is safest to feed dogs rose hips that have had the seeds removed through processing into a powder or pulp extract.
The safety of wild rose hips will depend on whether toxic chemicals have been sprayed on the plant. Roses treated with pesticides or other chemicals can make dogs sick. Only harvest rose hips from plants you know to be chemical-free.
As with any new food, start with small portions and watch for any signs of an allergic reaction when first feeding your dog rose hips. Diarrhea or vomiting may signal your pet’s digestive system does not agree with this fruit. Discontinue use if any negative reaction occurs.
Benefits of Rose Hips for Dogs
Rose hips have traditional uses in treating a wide range of health conditions in dogs. Some key benefits include:
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Joint health – Rose hips may reduce inflammation and arthritis pain. The antioxidants support cartilage and tissue health.
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Skin and coat – Vitamins A and E promote a healthy, shiny coat. Lycopene improves skin quality.
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Urinary tract health – Tannins have a mild diuretic effect and may help prevent infections.
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Immune support – Vitamin C, bioflavonoids, and antioxidants boost the immune system.
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Heart health – Antioxidants improve cardiac function and lower blood pressure.
While more research is still needed, these promising benefits make rose hips a beneficial supplement, especially for senior dogs. Always discuss use of new supplements with your veterinarian.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Rose Hips
When feeding rose hips to your pooch, proper preparation is key to safety. Here are some tips:
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Avoid seeds – Remove seeds before feeding as they are a choking hazard. Opt for seedless rose hip powders or pulp extracts.
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Watch sugar content – Some processed rose hips contain added sugar. Choose no sugar added varieties.
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Use dried or powdered – Fresh rose hips may cause diarrhea. Dried are easier to digest.
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Mash before feeding – For whole rose hips, mash well to break down before feeding.
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Start with small amounts – Too much at once can cause diarrhea. Start with 1/4 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight.
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Mix into food – Mix powder into your dog’s regular kibble or add mashed fresh hips to homemade dog food.
Monitor your dog after feeding to watch for potential allergic reactions or digestive upset. Acute symptoms like vomiting warrant discontinuing use.
How Much Rose Hip Can I Safely Feed My Dog?
When using rose hip powder, follow package dosing guidelines based on your dog’s weight. A commonly recommended starting amount is 1/4 tsp powder per 10 lbs of body weight per day.
You can also add a tablespoon or two of chopped fresh rose hips to your dog’s homemade food recipes. Always start with small amounts and gradually increase if well tolerated. Excessive consumption may cause loose stools.
For best results, choose an organic rose hip supplement and pair with probiotics to support digestion. Discuss proper dosing with your veterinarian for your dog’s specific needs.
Should Dogs Eat Rose Hips from the Garden?
While wild rose hips found growing in nature can technically be safely ingested by dogs, there are some risks to be aware of:
- Pesticide exposure if the plant has been sprayed
- Choking hazard from swallowing whole hips or seeds
- Risk of intestinal blockage if consumed in excess
- Potential diarrhea or vomiting from overconsumption
For these reasons, it’s best to harvest rose hips yourself from plants you know to be organically grown. Monitor your dog anytime they nibble on wild plants to prevent overindulgence.
Other Ways to Use Rose Hips for Dogs
In addition to oral use, rose hips can benefit dogs’ health when used topically:
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Itch relief – Rose hip seed oil can soothe dry, itchy skin. Use for massage.
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Hot spots – Anecdotally said to help heal hot spots when applied topically.
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Ear infections – The anti-inflammatory properties may provide relief from irritated ears when applied around the outer ear canal.
Always monitor your dog closely when using new topical treatments to watch for potential allergic reactions. Discontinue use if any negative reaction occurs.
Are Rose Hips a Good Option for Your Dog?
Rose hips provide a safe way to naturally supplement your dog’s diet with valuable antioxidants and compounds that support their overall wellness. From supporting joint health to improving skin and coat quality, rose hips offer wide-ranging benefits. Just be sure to introduce these fruits slowly and in appropriate dosages. With some care and precaution, rose hips can be a nutritious treat and supplement for your precious pup!
What Are Rose Hips?
Rose hips are a good reason for leaving your roses (Rosa spp. ) on the plant after their bloom begins to fade. These fruits are just under the petals. When the petals fall off, you’ll see these berry-like fruits, which can be orange, red, purple, or black. Birds love rose hips, and so do other animals, like cats and dogs.
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They are full of good things for you, like beta carotene and lycopene, and fight inflammation with antioxidants like vitamin C and quercetin. Theyre also high in fiber since they contain lots of seeds.
It’s thought that rose hips can help people and pets with arthritis pain and heart health, but not all rose hips are the same.
How Can Rose-Hip Canine Help Your Dog?
Can dogs eat rose hips?
Fertilizers used for roses can also pose a danger to dogs. Lately, the benefits of rose hips have been researched for both humans and animals. Rose hips have been found to be rich in vitamins A, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B6 and vitamin C, selenium, pectin, tannins, carotenoids, minerals and essential fatty acids.
Does rose hips make you gain weight?
Rose hips are unlikely to cause weight gain. Rose hips are the fruits of wild rose plants and are either ground into a powder or made into tea, then supplemented. There is no evidence that rose hips cause weight gain, while there is preliminary data suggesting they may contribute to weight loss or fat loss. Two investigations, one using mice and one using rats, demonstrated that rose hip extracts inhibit body weight gain and decrease visceral fat and fat mass. This does not mean rose hip extracts would work the same in humans. An additional study in 32 human subjects compared 100 milligrams of rose hip extract to a placebo. At the end of 12 weeks, body weight and abdominal fat were significantly lower in the rose hip group, without changes to caloric intake from food diary data. Several authors of the study were employees of the company who manufactured the rose hip extract, making the results unreliable until they are repeated in future studies.
What happens if your pet eats rose hips?
If your pet has decided it loves rose hips and has gone to town eating them, it’s possible that it can have a bad reaction. Your pet could get lethargic, start vomiting, have discomfort, get diarrhea and so on, but this is true of most natural foods.
Are rose hips poisonous to dogs?
Inside the rose hips, you will find seeds that can be planted to produce more rose plants. Are Rose Hips Toxic to Dogs? The ASPCA poison control website categorizes roses (family Rosaceae) as non toxic to dogs, non toxic to cats and non toxic to horses. The plant is reported to contain no toxic principles.
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