My dog ate hibiscus. Is it toxic? Does he need emergency vet care?

Question

My dog (165 lbs) ate about 15-20 tropical hibiscus leaves & maybe a few dead blooms in a 5 hr time frame. Should be heading for the emergency vet?

Marina Fernández · Accepted Answer

While most hibiscus pose no threat to canines, a couple do. The ASPCA lists one main hibiscus variety in its database of varieties toxic to dogs. The rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), also called the rose of China, grows in USDA zones 5 through 8. It blooms all summer and into fall, traditionally with pink blooms or blooms that are pink with red centers. Modern cultivars create other bloom colors including blue, white and red. As a deciduous shrub, it loses its leaves for the winter and grows new ones -- which might look tasty to your dog -- in the spring. It can grow up to 12 feet tall, but it creates blooms and leaves all along the branches, meaning there will be plenty at your pooch's eye level to tempt him. That means that depending on the variety of hibiscus he ate you should be going to your vets. Do you know what kind of hibiscus is? If not take a picture and head to the vets as soon as possible.

My dog ate hibiscus. Is it toxic? Does he need emergency vet care?

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