Dog rose Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 4,703 found this helpful

Rosa canina (dog rose) is fully non-toxic to humans and common domestic animals including cats, dogs, and horses

No parts of the dog rose plant contain toxic components, with no reported poisoning cases from typical exposure

Other Rosa and Malva species that dog rose may be confused with are also non-toxic, posing no additional health risk

FAQ

Is Dog rose toxic to Humans?

No known toxic symptoms; rare mild, self-limiting gastrointestinal upset may occur after extremely large consumption (Non-toxic)

Is Dog rose toxic to Cats?

No known toxic symptoms; no adverse effects expected from typical ingestion (Non-toxic)

Is Dog rose toxic to Dogs?

No known toxic symptoms; no adverse effects expected from typical ingestion (Non-toxic)

Is Dog rose toxic to Horses?

No known toxic symptoms; no adverse effects expected from typical ingestion (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No known toxic symptoms; rare mild, self-limiting gastrointestinal upset may occur after extremely large consumption

Cats

Non-toxic

No known toxic symptoms; no adverse effects expected from typical ingestion

Dogs

Non-toxic

No known toxic symptoms; no adverse effects expected from typical ingestion

Horses

Non-toxic

No known toxic symptoms; no adverse effects expected from typical ingestion

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts are non-toxic; no toxic plant components have been identified

Exposure RouteIngestion is the only relevant exposure route; no dermal or inhalation toxicity is documented

Toxic CompoundsNo toxic bioactive compounds have been identified in this species

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth with clean water to remove any residual plant material if minor irritation is reported
• Offer small sips of fresh water to dilute any plant matter remaining in the digestive tract
• Monitor for 1-2 hours for rare mild gastrointestinal discomfort, the only potential adverse effect

Contact Vet Immediately

• Contact a medical or veterinary professional only if persistent unusual symptoms develop after consumption of very large quantities of the plant

Prevention

• No specific prevention measures are required as the plant is entirely non-toxic
• Avoid consumption of dog rose that may be contaminated with pesticides or other environmental toxins

Treatment & Prognosis

• No targeted treatment is required for dog rose exposure
• Provide symptomatic care for rare mild gastrointestinal upset if it occurs, including small frequent meals and rest

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameRosa canina L.

AliasesHunds-Rose、Heckenrose、Heiderose、Hagrose、Rosier des chiens、Rosier des haies、Églantier des chiens、Rosa selvatica comune、Rosa di macchia

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No organs are at risk of toxic damage from exposure to this plant

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanism is identified, as the plant is non-toxic to humans and common domestic animals

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle, sheep, and goats: Non-toxic, safe for grazing with no documented adverse effects

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): Non-toxic, may be safely included as part of a forage diet

Wild and domestic birds: No toxic effects reported from ingestion of fruit, leaves, or flowers

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Rosa species Rosa spp.

Visually similar in leaf, flower, and growth habit to Rosa canina; all common Rosa species are non-toxic, so misidentification carries no health risk

Mallow species Malva spp.

Young dog rose plants have similar leaf shape and growth habitat to Malva species; all common Malva species are non-toxic, so misidentification poses no poisoning risk

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Related Toxic Plants

Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus

High toxicity, contains cyanogenic glycosides that can cause fatal poisoning

Black cherry

Prunus serotina

Moderate to high toxicity, wilted leaves are toxic to livestock and pets

Firethorn

Pyracantha coccinea

Low to moderate toxicity, seeds and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides that cause gastrointestinal upset

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.