Is Hibiscus Poisonous to Dogs (Flowers & Leaves Toxic)?

The hibiscus is a popular and vibrant flower that many people have in their gardens to provide added beauty and brightness. It’s a quintessential tropical bloom that encapsulates all things summer.

The flowers can be up to 6 inches wide and 12 inches tall and come in a variety of colors, including white, red, and peach. 

Despite the aesthetically pleasing nature of the hibiscus flower, some varieties of the bloom can be extremely dangerous – and in some cases – even toxic to dogs.

So if you have your own pooch, it’s worth being extra vigilant when debating whether or not to plant hibiscus in your backyard. 

While it’s important to note that a lot of the species of the hibiscus flower aren’t toxic or poisonous to dogs, there are a number that, unfortunately, are. In fact, experts state that the root of the hibiscus plant will almost always be harmful in one way or another to a dog. 

I’m aware that this isn’t the most conclusive and helpful answer. After all, there are over 650 species of hibiscus, so how on earth are you supposed to know which ones are poisonous to your dog?

The safest approach I’d recommend is to try and avoid all types of hibiscus with your dog unless you’re confident in knowing which hibiscus plants pose the greatest risks. This, however, isn’t the easiest thing to learn. 

Therefore, I’ve done a little bit of research and put together some (hopefully) useful information about which hibiscus flowers are most dangerous to dogs.

Before you proceed, however, it’s important to note that this information shouldn’t be taken as expert clinically-proven advice; it’s simply a collation of well-informed guidance I could find online.

So, if your dog has eaten hibiscus – even a form you don’t think is poisonous – you should always call a vet. 

Hibiscus Flowers to Avoid 

The most dangerous types of hibiscus flowers can all cause differing degrees of poisoning in dogs. The one, however, which stands out more than most is the Rose of Sharon hibiscus plant.

This, incidentally, is the species of hibiscus often found in houseplants and the type which is commonly thought to cause serious poisoning in your pooch if ingested. 

There are a large number of entries online where veterinarians and other educated professionals have said that the Rose of Sharon is the hibiscus toxic to dogs.

It should therefore be considered the most poisonous and avoided at all costs. Failure to do so could ultimately result in catastrophic consequences. 

Poisonous Parts of the Hibiscus

This all depends on the type of hibiscus your dog comes into contact with. The extent to which the flower, leaves, and stem are poisonous will vary from species to species. 

However, as I mentioned earlier, the root of the hibiscus plant is almost always poisonous in one way or another to dogs and can make them sick.

So if your dog ingests a root of any hibiscus species, you should immediately consult your vet even if you believe the type of hibiscus to be safe. 

Why is Hibiscus Toxic to Dogs?

There remains a large number of unidentified poisonous properties in the roots and foliage of the hibiscus plant. However, one of the bloom’s most prominent and well-known poisonous properties can be found in the plant itself.

This is a property called asparagine, an amino acid that can cause several troublesome symptoms in your dog. Some of these unfavorable symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and internal blisters that can interfere with your dog’s ability to eat and drink. 

The aforementioned symptoms that manifest when your dog ingests asparagine are serious and should be taken extremely seriously. Therefore, you’ll need to contact your vet as soon as possible if you suspect your dog has consumed a form of hibiscus. 

Eating Hibiscus

This has been touched upon earlier, but it’s important to remember that while some forms of hibiscus are less dangerous than others for dogs, it doesn’t mean that it’s worth the risk of them eating it. 

Depending on the type of hibiscus plant your dog consumes, they may only experience mild gastrointestinal symptoms rather than more intense and serious reactions. However, irrespective of which kind of hibiscus it is, if they eat the root, you’ll need to seek professional advice.

In addition to many of the symptoms being closely linked to gastrointestinal upset, you may also find blood in your dog’s vomit or poop. This is often an indication of something serious.

The loss of fluids that occurs with many of the other symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting, can similarly prove fatal to your pooch. To avoid cases of severe gastrointestinal distress, call your vet immediately as soon as you notice something wrong. 

If possible, you should also try to take a sample of the hibiscus plant that your dog ate in order to help the vet more accurately assess the extent of poisoning your dog might have experienced.

They can carry out a thorough examination, including blood tests, to assess the damage and potentially rule out any other possible reasons for your dog’s symptoms. 

If it’s subsequently confirmed that your pooch is indeed suffering from hibiscus poisoning, there’s a standard procedure that your vet will begin, commonly used to treat animal poisoning. This procedure includes: evacuation, detoxification, medication, and observation. 

The evacuation stage involves inducing vomiting to try and get the poison out of your dog’s system. Detoxification then sees the vet incorporate intravenous (IV) fluids to attempt to flush their kidneys through.

The vet will also provide your dog with medication if they suffer the effects of blisters or burns related to the ingestion of the poison.

Finally, they’ll either keep the dog in for further observation or give you detailed advice on how to observe it at home closely. The latter is often more stress-free for your poor pooch. 

Signs of Hibiscus Poisoning

The common signs of hibiscus poisoning range from mild and difficult to detect to severe and obvious. The vast majority of the time, these symptoms are closely-related to gastrointestinal upset due to the way in which the amino acid in hibiscus negatively reacts with your dog’s insides. 

Listed below are some of the most common symptoms of hibiscus poisoning to look out for. Taking note of them is vitally important, and if your dog exhibits any of these telling signs, you should look to seek urgent medical attention. 

• Inability to eat or drink – not to be confused with a simple loss of appetite. 
• A significant burning of the mouth or throat. While this may be difficult to notice if you don’t regularly check the inside of your dog’s mouth, a telling sign is if you catch your pooch excessively scratching at their mouth or face. 
• Blistering or swelling of the tongue and mouth – this can also affect their ability to swallow. 
• Pain or damage to the eyes can occur if hibiscus comes into direct contact with your dog’s eyes. 
• Coughing and gagging. 
• Vomiting and diarrhea. 

Final Thoughts

There are several hundred different species of the vibrant hibiscus plant, which are commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas across the world.

The colorful nature and size of the hibiscus plant, however, make it an attractive-looking snack for a lot of dogs. As discussed above, this is a major problem for dog owners. 

Dogs work on instinct, and quite often their first instinct when they see a bright new plant in the garden is to investigate and taste it. Given how poisonous some types of hibiscus can be to dogs, it’s essential that you try your best to keep the two far away from one another.

This includes avoiding the temptation to plant a few hibiscus blooms in your garden and backyard. If it means your pooch is safe, it’s worth the sacrifice, right?  

After all, there are thousands of beautiful plants that aren’t toxic to dogs, so you can still be a pet owner and have a beautiful garden. There’s no reason why the two have to be mutually exclusive. 

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