If you cut off the flowers on a rose bush, the round, red fruits with seeds inside are called rose hips. These brightly colored berries are very healthy and have been used in herbal medicine for hundreds of years. But can dogs eat rose hips? Are rose hips good or bad for dogs?
In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding rose hips to dogs, including:
- What are rose hips?
- Are rose hips toxic to dogs?
- Nutritional benefits of rose hips for dogs
- How to safely feed rose hips to dogs
- What parts of the rose hips plant are safe for dogs
- Potential risks and precautions for feeding rose hips
What Are Rose Hips?
Rose hips are the fruit of the rose plant. They form after the rose flowers bloom and fade. These small, round, orange-red berries grow on rose bushes, particularly wild rose species like Rosa canina.
Other common names for rose hips include rose haw, rose hep, and dog rose. They are sometimes also called hipberries or heps.
Rose hips have seeds inside that are covered in fine hairs or fibers. The outside is tough and hard to chew, but the inside is soft, juicy, and sour.
These vitamin-packed berries have long been used in herbal remedies, teas, jams, and supplements. Their popularity stems from the many potential health benefits attributed to rose hips.
Are Rose Hips Toxic to Dogs?
Rose hips are safe for dogs, which is good news. Most people think that both the berries and the seeds are safe as long as they are prepared correctly.
However, there are some important safety precautions to consider before feeding rose hips to dogs:
-
Do not feed whole rose hips. The hairy seeds and tough outer skin present a choking hazard. Rose hips should be peeled, chopped, crushed, or processed into powder before feeding to dogs.
-
Avoid pesticide exposure. Only harvest rose hips from bushes you know have not been treated with pesticides. Wash thoroughly before preparing.
-
Introduce new foods slowly. Start with small amounts to watch for any allergic reactions or gastrointestinal upset.
As long as these precautions are followed, rose hips can be a nutritious supplement for dogs. Always check with your veterinarian before introducing new foods.
Nutritional Benefits of Rose Hips for Dogs
Rose hips are full of antioxidants, compounds, and nutrients that are good for your dog’s health in many ways. Here are some of the top nutritional benefits:
-
Vitamin C: Rose hips are one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C. Just two tablespoons provides over 700% of a human’s recommended daily intake. Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that supports immune health in dogs.
-
Vitamin A: Rose hips contain beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for eye health, growth, reproduction, and immune function in dogs.
-
Vitamin E: Another beneficial antioxidant. Vitamin E protects cells from damage and supports skin and coat health.
-
Bioflavonoids: These compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects in the body. They also enhance vitamin C absorption.
-
Essential fatty acids: Rose hips provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and support joint, cardiovascular, brain, and skin health.
-
GOPO: An anti-inflammatory galactolipid compound that may help relieve arthritis pain and stiffness.
How to Safely Feed Rose Hips to Dogs
The easiest and safest way to feed rose hips to dogs is to use a processed rose hip powder supplement. Check the label for any added sugar.
If preparing fresh rose hips at home:
- Wear gloves to avoid irritation from the fine hairs around seeds
- Wash thoroughly
- Peel off outer skin
- Chop finely or puree in a blender to break down seeds
- Mix into food or make into rose hip tea
Start with small amounts like 1⁄4 tsp per 10 lbs body weight. Gradually increase to 1 tsp per 10 lbs if well tolerated. Consult your vet for dosage recommendations.
Monitor stool for any digestive upset. Reduce or stop feeding if diarrhea develops.
What Parts of the Rose Hips Plant Are Safe?
The rose hips fruits are safe for dogs when prepared properly. Avoid feeding unripe green hips.
The seeds contain beneficial nutrients but should always be finely processed first. Do not feed whole seeds due to choking risk.
The leaves, flowers, stems, and roots of the rose plant do not contain significant nutrients. While not toxic, they offer minimal benefits and are difficult to digest.
Rose petals are very mildly astringent and contain trace amounts of vitamin C. Only feed organic, pesticide-free petals in moderation.
Thorns can damage mouth and digestive tissues. Supervise dogs around rose bushes and remove thorns if ingested.
Potential Risks and Precautions
When feeding rose hips, keep these potential risks in mind:
-
Choking hazard: Whole rose hips and seeds pose a choking risk. Always finely chop or grind before feeding.
-
Gastrointestinal upset: Too much fiber can cause loose stool or diarrhea. Start with small amounts.
-
Allergies: Dogs may be allergic to any new food. Watch for symptoms like itching, hives, swelling, or vomiting.
-
Pesticides: Only use rose hips from organic, untreated bushes. Wash thoroughly before preparing.
-
Sugar: Some processed rose hip powders contain added sugar which is unhealthy. Check labels carefully.
Rose hips can provide great nutritional benefits but introduce them slowly and watch for any adverse reactions. Consult your veterinarian with any concerns. When prepared properly and fed in moderation, rose hips can be a nutritious supplement for healthy dogs.
Rose hip for the dog
So its not dramatic if your pet eats from the rose bush. Still, giving your pet rose hip powder, for example, is more helpful and more pleasant for them. According to its name, it comes from fruit pulp and goes well with home-cooked food. You can also add the powder to your wet food and mix it with ready-made food.
Effects of rose hip on dogs
Rose hips are real vitamin bombs! They not only contain high amounts of vitamin C, but also vitamin B1, B2 and E as well as calcium. People say that the peel can help with bladder infections and intestinal problems by making you go to the bathroom and making you pee.
The real heroes, however, are the secondary plant compounds. These are substances that are not counted as essential nutrients, but have many positive effects on health.
The flavonoids contained in rose hips, for example, help to better utilise vitamin C from food. They also have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, lower the blood pressure and strengthen the immune system.
Carotenoids are also found in rose hips. You probably know these compounds as colouring agents in carrots and other vegetables. The associated beta-carotene is particularly important for dogs, because it forms the precursor of vitamin A and can be converted by the body.
You are probably familiar with tannins in a different context, because they are used in leather processing, among other things. But they also belong to the secondary plant compounds and, like flavonoids, have a preventive effect against inflammation, high blood pressure and tumour diseases.
How Can Rose-Hip Canine Help Your Dog?
FAQ
Are rose hips toxic for dogs?
While Rosehip is generally safe for dogs, excessive consumption can lead to mild gastrointestinal upset.
What are the side effects of rosehip for dogs?
Rose-Hip Vital is safe for dogs to use, even those with sensitive stomachs, and has no known side effects or reasons why it shouldn’t be used. Often, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause uncomfortable side effects, like cardiovascular and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Can you eat dog rose hips?
All rosehips are edible and can be used for tea. However, the rosehips from the dog rose are the most flavoursome. The hips on the Japanese Rosa Rugosa are very large and round and a little less concentrated.
Can you give rosehip to dogs?
When it comes to natural supplements for dogs, rosehip granules are fast becoming one of the popular options. Rosehip granules are believed to be excellent blood cleansers and may have a positive impact on adrenal health, joint performance, and vitamin levels in dogs.
Are rose hips poisonous to dogs?
No, rose hips are not poisonous to dogs. In fact, they can be quite beneficial! Rose hips are a great source of vitamins C and E, as well as carotenoids (which are converted to vitamin A in the body). They also contain flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. All of these nutrients can help support your dog’s immune system.
Can dogs eat rose hips?
It’s full of fiber. If your dog eats too much fiber, it could give them gas, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal upset. Dogs aren’t usually allergic to rose hips, so you don’t have to worry about allergic reactions. You should always read the labels before you buy processed rose hips. Some of them might contain added sugar.
Can dogs eat rose plants?
Rose plants are fine for animals to ingest. The leaves, stems, flowers and seed pods or hips are all safe for animals. In fact, the most dangerous part of the plant tends to be the thorns. Rose hips are made into a powder that is used in teas, pet foods, and snacks. They are also used to make essential oils and shampoos and conditioners for pets.
What happens if your pet eats rose hips?
If your pet went crazy eating rose hips because it thinks they taste good, it could 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.
Can dogs eat rosehips?
No, don’t give your dog raw rosehips right off the bush. And always wear gloves when you peel and chop up rosehip seeds. The barbs aren’t only dangerous to dogs, they could give us humans skin irritation too. As with anything that grows out of the ground, be careful with how much of it you give your dog. It’s full of fiber.
Can horses eat rose hips?
In fact, a tablespoon or two of rose hip powder will give a horse all the vitamin C it needs for a day. Pets may enjoy noshing on rose hips, but it’s unlikely they’ll eat too many, as the fruit can get pretty hairy inside their thick skins.