My Dog Ate Geranium Flowers What Should I Do?

Geranium flowers are extremely popular. You’ll find them in flower baskets, gardens, and more. They’re common in home & park gardens, as well as in pots and flower baskets. They’re very pretty flowers! But what happens if a dog eats geranium flowers?

Has your dog eaten geranium flowers? Are you worried the geranium flowers will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We know it can be scary when your dog eats something he shouldn’t.

In this article, we’ll take a look at geranium flowers and whether or not they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!

What are Geranium Flowers?

Geranium flowers are beautiful flowers that belong to the Pelargonium family. There are over 200 different species of Pelargonium, including geraniums. The plants are native to tropical areas such as South Africa.

Geraniums contain a chemical called geraniol, which is used in essential oils such as rose oil and citronella. The chemical can irritate the skin and eyes.

The plants also contain another toxic chemical called linalool. This is a terpene chemical that can cause eczema and allergic reactions.

Can geranium flowers make a dog sick?

Geranium Flowers & Dogs

Geranium flowers are mildly toxic to dogs. If the dog eats any part of the plant, he can become sick.

Symptoms of Geranium Flower Ingestion in Dogs

You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten geranium flowers:

• Redness and/or irritation of the skin around the mouth/muzzle
• Vomiting
• Lack of appetite
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Dermatitis
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

If your dog develops any of these symptoms, then it’s time to call the vet.

Treatment of Geranium Flower Ingestion in Dogs

At the vet’s, they will perform a complete physical of your dog. This will include lab work and possibly other tests. The vet will also look for signs of skin irritation on your dog, such as dermatitis and redness/irritation around your fur baby’s mouth and muzzle.

Treatment will depend on your dog’s symptoms and their severity. Some dogs only become mildly sick, while others become seriously ill. The vet may choose to induce vomiting or use activated charcoal.

If your dog is experiencing severe diarrhea and vomiting, the vet will treat these symptoms with medications to ease symptoms and stop the vomiting and diarrhea. Your fur baby may also require an IV if he has severe vomiting and diarrhea, as these can lead to dehydration. The IV will contain fluids to rehydrate your dog and can be used to administer medications if needed.

The good news is that most dogs will have a complete recovery after eating geranium flowers!