Desert Rose

Yes, Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) is toxic to cats. The plant contains cardiac glycosides that can cause serious systemic effects, including potentially life-threatening heart problems.

Early signs include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and refusal to eat. As the cardiac glycosides take effect, you may also see lethargy, depression, and irregular or unusually slow heartbeat. Collapse is possible with significant ingestion.

Call for help immediately — do not wait to see if symptoms develop. Contact your veterinarian, an emergency vet clinic, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Cardiac glycoside exposure can be fatal even when a cat appears mostly normal at first.

The cardiac glycosides responsible for toxicity are present throughout Adenium obesum; the ASPCA listing does not isolate a single most-dangerous part, so any contact with leaves, stems, flowers, or the swollen base should be treated as a potential exposure.

Yes, desert rose (Adenium obesum) is toxic to dogs. It contains cardiac glycosides — compounds that affect the heart — and ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, and irregular heartbeat.

Initial signs include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and reluctance to eat. As the cardiac glycosides take effect, a dog may develop a slow, irregular, or unusually fast heartbeat, weakness, or sudden lethargy — sometimes hours after ingestion.

Call a vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) right away — even if your dog only chewed on the plant or symptoms seem mild. Heart effects from cardiac glycosides can develop hours after ingestion and may require at least 24 hours of monitoring.

The toxic cardiac glycosides are present throughout the plant, including the distinctive swollen base, stems, leaves, and flowers. No part is safe to chew or ingest.