§ Toxic plants · Apocynaceae · Checked Oct 2026
Is desert rose toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Desert rose (Adenium obesum) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Severe, level 3 of 4.
Get a permanent discount if you join Early Access. iPhone and Android, in the contiguous U.S.
![This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email [email protected] or write on my talk page, for my information. Please contact me before commercial use. Please do not upload an edited image here without consulting me. I would like to make corrections only at my own source to ensure that the changes improve the image and are preserved.Otherwise you may upload an edited image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adenium_Obesum_Flower_Side_Macro_Mar22_D72_23052-58_ZS_P.jpg){kind=link}
§ 010 · Signs
What to watch for
Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dullness or depression and irregular heartbeat. Eaten in quantity, it can be fatal. Signs can start within hours; some take a day or more to show.
§ 020 · If it happened
What to do if your pet ate it
Call your vet or a pet poison hotline straight away, even if your pet seems fine: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours and charge a fee. Have the plant or a photo of it to hand, and don’t make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
§ 030 · Same family
Other Apocynaceae plants toxic to pets
Desert rose belongs to the Apocynaceae family. ASPCA lists these relatives too.
§ 040 · Questions
Questions about desert rose and pets
Is desert rose toxic to cats?
Yes. ASPCA lists desert rose as toxic to cats.
Is desert rose toxic to dogs?
Yes. ASPCA lists desert rose as toxic to dogs.
What happens if my pet eats desert rose?
Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dullness or depression and irregular heartbeat. Eaten in quantity, it can be fatal. Plant Smart rates it Severe, level 3 of 4.
What should I do if my pet ate it?
Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, even before signs appear: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both charge a fee. Have the plant, or a photo of it, to hand.
What else is desert rose called?
Desert rose is also sold or known as impala lily and socotran desert rose.