This bright red fruit is known for being packed with vitamin C, but can dogs eat rose hips? Read this guide before sharing it with your pups.
In this article, I will address questions about dogs and rose hips; whether they are safe, toxic, good, bad, or even just ok. We know that what’s safe may not be good for them. Now, let’s get on with the information you’re seeking.
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating rose hips.
What Are Rose Hips
Rosehips are round, red (or orange), seed-filled bulbs that grow at the base of a blossoming Rosa canina plant. This deep orange-red fruit goes by a lot of different names. You might hear them called rose haw and rose hep, or even dog rose. And as for the spelling, you can spell it rose hip or rosehip.
We all know how nutritious seeds are, and the same goes for these gems. They are like nature’s little vitamin-packed treasure chests!
These berry-like fruits have been used in herbal medicine for centuries and are known for their medicinal properties.
Packed with vitamin C, rosehips have been used for centuries in teas, jams, and even skincare. They’re basically the rose’s grand finale—a little burst of goodness after the showy blooms have taken their bow.
And boy are they packed with nutrients! Let’s take a closer look at the important nutrients that are hiding in this little beauty.
Health Benefits
Let’s take a closer look at the nutrients in rose hips. Most of the following nutrients are found in the seeds.
Two tablespoons of rose hips contains:
- Calories: 26
- Carbs: 6 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Vitamin A: 4% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin B5: 3% of the DV
- Vitamin C: 76% of the DV
- Vitamin E: 6% of the DV
These daily value amounts are for humans, not dogs. It’s important to keep that in mind.
But in addition to those nutrients listed earlier, they are also full of disease-fighting antioxidants, including beta carotene, and are a great source of essential fatty acids.
So, if rose hips are so nutritious, should you add them to your dog’s diet? Yes, you can safely let your furry friend eat them, in moderation.
Rose Hips Are Good For Dogs
Rose hips have been used in medicine for centuries. They are known as a natural remedy for things like joint pain and itchy skin.
Before we get into how to give rose hips to dogs and how much to give them (and what to watch out for), let’s look closer at how amazingly beneficial they are! They are basically like a juicy little multivitamin.
Benefits
Just look at all the amazing benefits your dog can get from rosehips!
- Skin and Coat Health – The pigments lycopene and beta carotene are really good for your dog’s skin and coat.
- Antioxidants – They are high in vitamin C that boosts your dog’s immune system by fighting free radicals.
- Good for Joints – They contain anti-inflammatory galactolipid (GOPO) that helps reduce osteoarthritis pain.
- Lowering Blood Pressure – The anti-inflammatory properties help your dog’s blood pressure to come down too.
They also contain flavonoids that help your body digest and utilize all that vitamin C from the seeds.
How To Give A Dog Rosehips
You’ll find rosehips as an ingredient in a lot of pet health supplements. But how do you give rose hips to dogs? Is buying the supplement powder the only way?
The easiest way is to puree or process the whole rose hips so that the seeds break down completely.
You can dry out the seeds and grind them up to create your own powder. Then, add the seeds to oil and use it to help soothe your dog’s itchy skin.
Honestly, it’s just easier to buy some rosehip powder from the pet store and sprinkle it on top of the dog food. It’s like a multivitamin for dogs.
In fact, if you mix rose hip powder into your dog’s wet food, they probably won’t even notice that it’s there. Or make rose tea with a small amount in some warm water. It might be a fun treat for them!
And while you can always make your own essential oils, it’s easier and fast to just buy a small jar.
If you buy rosehip powder, follow the recommended dose for your dog’s size.
What To Do With A Fussy Eater
If you want to give your dog rose hip powder but they refuse to eat it, I have a few ideas that might help!
The best way is to mix the dried rosehips into some cottage cheese. Only do this if your dog isn’t lactose intolerant. This is because cottage cheese has such a strong flavor and odor that it will cover up the rosehips really well.
If your fussy dog still refuses it, then sprinkle a tiny amount of hot food and mix it up really well.
Be Careful With The Seeds
These seeds have barbs on them, so please be careful when you handle them. And don’t give the seeds or the whole rose hip to your dog. They are a choking hazard.
So, can dogs eat the rosehips off the bush? 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.
Moderation Is Important
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. 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. It’s best to avoid giving your fur baby any added sugar.
How much can you give your dog? Start out with 1/4 a teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight.
Rose Plants Are Safe But Be Careful
Everything on rose bushes are non-toxic for dogs. But you should still watch your dogs closely when they are around rose bushes.
Can dogs eat wild roses? The types of roses don’t matter. It’s what is on the bush that could be dangerous.
The thorns are the most obvious danger to dogs. But more than the thorns, you should also be careful with any rose bushes that might have been sprayed with pesticide.
And don’t give your dog rose hips straight off the vine. They could cause an intestinal blockage if they eat too many of them.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, rosehips provide immune system support and support your dog’s general health. It’s safe to give these natural supplements to your pup. There are a lot of positive effects associated with rosehips for dogs.
More Dog Food Resources
Are you looking for information about more herbs and spices and dogs? Here are some more helpful articles:
Find lots more articles on food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!
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