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Are roses toxic to cats?

Their sweet scent may attract cats over for a taste. Most often find out quickly that the flower is not that yummy, however, a few end up with a penchant for eating the roses. The good news is that roses by themselves are not toxic to cats, says Dr.

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Mmmm inhale deeply. Roses are in full bloom right now. If you're lucky enough to have some rose bushes in your yard or screened porch where your kitty hangs out, you may wonder if roses are toxic to your cat. Owners report they've occasionally caught a kitty licking or munching on their precious rose petals from time to time. Their sweet scent may attract cats over for a taste. Most often find out quickly that the flower is not that yummy, however, a few end up with a penchant for eating the roses. The good news is that roses by themselves are not toxic to cats, says Dr. Maureen K. Murithi, veterinary spokesperson for ExcitedCats.com, a digital magazine for cat lovers. "They may experience a stomach upset accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea though not severe if they munch on the leaves, stem, or petals, which may warrant a visit to the veterinarian," she says.

Pesticides and rose spray products are a problem

"However, the chemicals (pesticides) sprayed on roses are poisonous upon ingestion," Dr. Murithi says. If you or your landscaper don't use pesticides on your roses, all is OK. If your cat does get a taste of sprayed roses, symptoms of pesticide toxicity include:

Drooling

Tremors

Vomiting

Lethargy

Seizures

Look out closely for any of these signs of illness. If your cat develops them bring her to your vet right away.

Watch out for thorns

If your kitty plays in a rose bush, the plant could bite back. "Thorns found on rose stems may injure cats during play or if they decide to eat them," says Dr. Murithi. So, if your kitty gets in a fight with a rose bush, check her out for any injuries or wounds. If they're small, a little antibiotic ointment can help them heal.

Other plants with rose in the name

Aside from real roses, which are nontoxic to your cats, if you have other plants that have rose in their name, you'll need to watch your kitties closely around them. For instance:

The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) is poisonous to cats.

Moss rose (Portulaca oleracea) are succulents that are toxic to cats.

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a plant that is toxic to cats.

Rosebay (also called rhododendron) has leaves that are highly toxic to cats.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris) contains primrose oil that is poisonous to your cats.

As with most plants in your home or yard, take care that while you're stopping to smell the roses, your kitty keeps her mouth off any that could do her harm. And as always, check with your vet if you have any specific questions or concerns.

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between 5 and 15 years How Long Does a Solar Battery Last? Home solar battery units last anywhere between 5 and 15 years. If you decide to install a solar battery today, it's almost certain you'll need a replacement in the future to match the 20- to 30-year lifespan of your solar power system.

Solar Battery Type:

If you’re asking, “What are the best batteries for solar power?” then you need to know that solar power batteries are made with one of three different chemical compositions: lead acid, lithium ion, or saltwater. Of the three types, lithium-ion batteries (also known as li-ion batteries) are the most common sources of energy storage for a home solar system.4

Lead-Acid Batteries:

Lead-acid batteries have been used in off-grid energy systems for decades, and while they’re one of the least expensive options on the market, lead-acid batteries have a shorter lifespan, and lower depth of discharge (DoD) compared to lithium-ion batteries. The opposite of charging, a battery’s DoD reflects the amount of power the battery is able to discharge relative to its full kilowatt-hours (kWh) capacity.5

Lithium-Ion Batteries:

When it comes to home energy storage systems, lithium-ion batteries are the gold standard because they're lighter, more compact, and have a longer lifespan and higher DoD than lead-acid batteries. Not only that, but higher demand has decreased the cost of lithium-ion batteries by 85%, making solar power backed by solar storage that much more attainable.6

Saltwater Batteries:

Unlike lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, saltwater batteries don’t contain heavy metals and instead rely on saltwater electrolytes. This makes saltwater batteries more environmentally friendly and allows them to be easily recycled. Still, as a new technology, saltwater batteries remain somewhat untested.7 If you’re looking to maximize your solar energy potential, lithium-ion batteries will offer the most reliable source of power.

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