One thing any cat owner can confidently say is that their sweet little pets are eminently curious. Their instincts quickly take over when it comes to different ways of hunting for food or protecting themselves. With that in mind, it’s important to be aware of potential dangers that may be lurking in your home or backyard. Specifically, we’re looking at that beautiful flower that you’ve worked so hard to keep alive . . . your rose bush!

The rose plant regularly becomes a household favorite and often a prized possession. So, there’s no doubt that your feline lovelies are going to be just as engrossed in their beauty as you are. The beautiful colors and strong smells of rose petals are almost impossible to resist. Thankfully, the rose isn’t necessarily a toxic plant, but be aware of its counterparts! Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know to keep your cats safe this spring and summer.

The True Rose: The Rosa Family

The Rosa family has a wide variety of plants in the species. According to A to Z flowers, there are “about 150” to be exact. The family Rosaceae is the official name for any plant considered to be a true rose. According to A to Z Flowers, “The healing property of the plant has been used in medicine for thousands of years”. Therefore, we can confidently scratch the Rose off as a toxic plant.

Here are a few true rose plants that are included in the Rosa family:

• Rosa Aciculair: Prickly Rose
• Rosa woodsii: Wood’s Rose
• Rosa sp: Wild Rose Hips
• Geum Macrophyllum: Yellow Avens

Many more true rose plants are OK for your cat to be curious around. Thankfully, true roses have zero levels of plant toxicity. Roses are safe for your kitties and can be easily digested.

We suggest that before planting any forms of “roses” in your garden or home, you research whether or not that rose comes from the true rose plant group. There are many research databases available to help you figure this out. A simple Google search will most likely give you the answer you’re looking for. If you want a more detailed and reliable research location, the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a database of all plants that are found throughout the United States. This is a government-run database, therefore, it’s trustworthy and proven to be true.

How to Detect Plant Poisoning in Your Cat

First things first, it’s important to be able to quickly identify any sickness that your kitties might come down with. It’s awfully scary when any of our precious pets get sick. Therefore, knowing the difference between a possible plant poisoning and something else is crucial.

According to the Healthy Pet Club, the following symptoms can normally be seen if a cat has ingested a poisonous plant:

• Irritation of the skin and eyes
• Twitching
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Confusion

These are the main symptoms to look out for when dealing with a cat who you think may have ingested a toxic plant. If your cat is exhibiting any symptoms, call your vet or the pet poison helpline immediately for more information on the next steps to take. The Animal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) provides a 24/7 animal poison control line which can be reached by US phone numbers at:

(888) 426-4435.

In an emergency, calling this number won’t only help keep your cats safe but will also give you peace of mind that you’re precious pet’s going to be ok. A consultation fee may apply.

Pesticides

With the pet poison helpline in mind, let’s chat about what may actually make roses toxic to our kitties. It’s no doubt that pesticides have a known link to poisoning many different animals, in fact, that’s normally why we use them! According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Pesticides are used to control various pests and disease carriers, such as mosquitos, ticks, rats, and mice.” With that said, pesticides haven’t necessarily been designed with your pets in mind.

Nobody knows your pet quite like you do, therefore, you should be the first person to be able to spot a difference in the behavior of your cat. Look for the following symptoms in your cat if you believe they may have gotten into some pesticide-covered plants:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive drooling
• Fever
• Depression
• Seizures
• Muscle tremors
• Trouble walking
• Trouble breathing

There could be some other symptoms that your kitty might exhibit but these are normally the most obvious when it comes to pesticide poisoning. If you believe that this has happened, it’s crucial to seek medical help for your kitties immediately. Whether that be a phone call to the pet poison helpline or a trip to the Vet. Poisoning of any kind should never be brushed off. 

Tricky Rose-Like Plants

Although there are tons of true rose plants out there that are promised not to hurt your cat, there are some misleading plants that might. Some plants look almost identical to the Rose but aren’t actually in the Rosa family. This is why we strongly suggest researching your roses before planting them! It’s not only important for your pets but also your peace of mind. There’s a big difference between a plant that has historically been used for medicine and a poisonous plant that just looks beautiful.

Here are some plants that we’ve found to look like roses BUT might be dangerous to your cats! Cat owners take note of these sneaky rose plants that might have higher plant toxicity than your average Rose.

1. Camellia

This plant, which is rich with some of the most beautiful flowers, might be great for Valentine’s day but could potentially be dangerous for your cat. While it might not be deadly, this plant may cause some discomfort in your pets. It might not necessarily require a trip to the vet but could cause both vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. Therefore, take caution if you’ve purchased a rose plant lookalike like this!

2. Ranunculus

The Ranunculus plant comes in a variety of colors that are sure to make any garden look beautiful. Mimicking the pompom-shaped rose that can be found in any old-fashioned photograph or movie, you’ll love to add this flower to your garden. Keep in mind that this isn’t considered to be in the category of cat-friendly plants. The look and feel may mimic a beautiful rose, but the high level of plant toxicity makes it an obvious plant to keep out of your garden if you have pets. Ranunculus can mimic symptoms of plant poisoning and might quickly have your beloved pets in the hospital.

3. Peonies

Another beautiful Rose look-alike is the Peony. Peonies have been spicing up beautiful gardens for years. They’re a classic found in a variety of different gardens around the United States. This shrub-like plant is filled with beautiful cup flowers coming in a variety of colors that closely resembles a rose bush. The biggest difference, and most important aspect, to look out for with Peonies is, of course, the safety of your pets. Peonies are found to be toxic to animals and are considered a very poisonous plant. This toxic plant will have you putting in a call to the pet poison helpline or spending the day at the vet with your pet. The best way to avoid plant poisoning in your cat is to bypass planting this flower in your garden completely. Stick to a true rose to keep your pets safe!

4. The Desert Rose

With the word “rose” directly in the name, it’s completely normal for any cat owner to mistake this plant for a true rose. Unfortunately, it’s not. Unlike true roses that fall into the Rosa family, the Desert Rose is not at all related. This popular indoor succulent can provide a beautiful aesthetic to any plant lover’s home. Having said that, it’s important to note that this plant is extremely dangerous not only to cats but also to humans! The sap found inside the Desert Rose is extremely harmful. With high plant toxicity levels, the desert rose isn’t recommended. This house plant will generally only be harmful if your cat ingests the entire flower (or bites into it and eats the sap), but knowing if your cat will be curious about it is impossible to predict. It’s better to avoid this plant altogether or just store it in a room that your kitty doesn’t have access to.

5. The Lenton Rose

The Lenton Rose, which is commonly referred to as the Christmas Rose or the Easter rose, is one of those holiday roses that should NEVER be around your curious cats. This plant is not at all a true rose and should be stored with extreme caution not only around your cats but also around any other animals in your household. You should also be aware if you plan to give this plant as a gift or decoration during the holidays; if your friends or family have animals in the house, maybe try going a different route.

The Lenton rose can be extremely dangerous and if you believe that your cat has ingested this plant, you must contact the pet poison helpline or your veterinary clinic immediately! This is an extremely toxic plant that should be handled with serious care and stored in a place that your cherished animals can’t get to it.

6. Primrose

Another tricky rose-named plant is the Primrose. Despite not being a true rose, the primrose isn’t quite as dangerous as the Lenton Rose. The Primrose is certainly considered to be dangerous to cats and dogs, but it isn’t necessarily deadly. It may just cause discomfort and some GI issues in your pets. Therefore, being aware and careful of this possibility is extremely important for your pet’s health and your well-being. If your animals become sick after ingesting this plant, they should be back to their normal selves within the next few days. As with any other sickness, it’s important to monitor your cat, as it potentially could be something more serious than just ingesting a Primrose petal.

7. Moss Rose

Another deceitful rose bush is the Moss Rose. Despite the name, this plant isn’t considered to be a true rose and can be extremely harmful to your cats. According to the ASPCA, the Moss Rose plant not only can make your cat sick but may also lead to kidney failure in dogs and cats. It may be considered rare, so if your cat has ingested the plant, it’s important to call the pet poison helpline or your veterinarian just to be safe.

8. Rosebay

Rosebay is another toxic plant that’s adopted the “rose” name. This poisonous plant is highly toxic to your feline, along with your other pets. Even eating a few of these rose leaves will leave your cats with very evident symptoms of plant poisoning. According to the ASPCA, the Rosebay, part of the Rhododendron species, will exhibit the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hypersalivation
• Weakness
• Coma
• Hypotension
• CNS depression
• Excessive drooling
• Loss of appetite

These are the most pivotal symptoms that may arise in your animals. It’s important that if you suspect or if your kitties are showing any of these symptoms you contact the pet poison helpline or your veterinarian on what steps you should take.

Above are just a few of the different poisonous plants that may be confused as being authentic roses. Be careful with the plants that you’re putting in reach of your curious, sensitive felines. It’s important to always research and check local databases for plant toxicity levels.

Other Potential Rose Hazards

Through research, and previously stated in the article, it’s become evident that roses are not toxic plants, but the beautiful flower has a few other potential dangers that might injure your pets. The most obvious is that of their sharp thorns.

We’ve all been poked or scratched by some type of thorn on some type of plant throughout our lives. Rose petals and leaves aren’t found to be harmful but it’s not surprising that the sharp thorns found on your rose plants can end up hurting your kitties. It’s a bit easier for us humans to avoid getting hurt, but cats love to feel and rub against things. Therefore, the potential of scratching their skin, eyes, mouths, and even insides is quite high.

This can be easily avoided by not using roses as a house plant or keeping them in a place that your kitty won’t rub against them. Although that may be true, sometimes things are just unavoidable and that’s ok! Cats are natural healers and will most likely heal themselves quickly. Just take caution if you believe your cat has ingested a stem that may have thorns on it. Swallowing the thorns of a rose bush could potentially cause serious harm.

Protect Your Kitties

As mentioned before, sometimes accidents happen and there’s not much you can do to stop your kitties from being curious creatures. Coming up with different ways to train your cats not to consume plants can be a complete trial and error process. We know how independent our curious felines can be. Here’s a list of a few different techniques you can try:

1. The Classic: Water Spray Bottles

Spray bottles are a classic way of training our cats not to do things they shouldn’t. The majority of cats HATE water, except those few that absolutely love it. If you are a cat owner that falls in the majority, then spraying your cat with water when they approach a house plant will most likely work quite well for you.

2. The Alternative: Cat Grass

Cat grass is, essentially, a mix of a few different types of grass that’ll give your kitty a sense of nature inside your home. It’s natural for cats to eat grass and providing them with a safe variety will surely entice them. It can go either way though, some cats love it and some cats don’t. Try it out and let your kitty be the judge!

3. The Obvious: Keep Plants Out of Reach

This technique is a bit more obvious and is probably the only sure way that cats won’t accidentally ingest a poisonous plant, or injure themselves on a plant’s thorns. Keeping plants out of reach will keep your mind at ease, but might dim the beauty throughout your home.

Conclusion

All in all, some plants can be dangerous for our curious felines, but roses aren’t toxic to cats. There might be some controversy on the overall safety of roses as a house plant due to the nature of their sharp thorns. Overall, though, roses aren’t, in any way, poisonous. There’s no stopping your cat from feeling, smelling and, of course, tasting your luscious rose bush, but keeping in mind their absolute safety should come at the top of your list. For a more detailed list of plants that are potentially poisonous check out the ASPCA’s detailed database filled with authentic and helpful information about toxic and non-toxic plants. 

Do you want to go on a vacation, go on a walk, or even take your cat to work but don’t know how to safely transport your beloved pet? Maybe you take your cat with you everywhere you go, because you don’t want to leave him home alone, but you just don’t know how to achieve that? A cat backpack is a great piece of pet gear that is not only safe for your cat but fits on you like a backpack, so you can take your feline friend with you wherever you want to go.

Here, we’ll talk about some features you may want to consider when deciding to purchase a cat backpack. We’ll also examine 10 of the most popular cat backpacks that can be conveniently shipped right to your door so you can be an informed pet owner when making your decision.

What Should You Look for When Purchasing a Cat Backpack?

As you may imagine, there are cat backpacks available for many different types of activities, functions, and sizes of cats. Largely, your decision should be based on what you’re going to use the backpack for. Listed below are some of the features you may need to consider when searching for a carrier backpack to purchase.

Size of the Carrier Backpack

The size of the carrier backpack you choose is one very important feature you want to pay attention to. If you have a smaller cat, you may not need an expensively big cat carrier backpack. If you have a larger cat, there are many options out there that are referred to as a fat cat backpack. It may cost a little more, but if you’ve got a large cat, then a larger cat carrier is going to be necessary when making your selection.

Types of Activities You’ll Use the Cat Carrier Backpack For

Another factor you may want to play a role in which backpack you choose is what types of activities you’ll be bringing your cat along with. If you are only walking around a city or doing some sort of shopping with your cat, you likely won’t need a rugged backpack that has a chest buckle and a lot of mesh windows. You may opt for something instead that has one mesh side or even something like a bubble backpack instead. However, if you are going backpacking, camping, or doing strenuous activities with your cat, it may be necessary to invest a little more money into the cat backpack. It would be wise to choose a pet backpack that has a waist strap, a chest strap, lots of mesh windows, or even an adjustable strap set so that your cat can not only be as secure as possible but have plenty of fresh air when traveling about with you.

Structure of the Cat Backpack

The structure of a cat backpack is another feature you’re going to want to pay close attention to. You’re going to want to choose a pet backpack that has strong bottom supports that aren’t too hard or uncomfortable for your cat, and you’ll also want to choose something that is made with flexible materials without being too flimsy.

Material the Cat Carrier Is Constructed With

The material that a cat backpack carrier is constructed with is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Some cat carriers have hard, outer shells made from a material like plastic and soft, cloth, inner walls. High-quality cat carriers may even have a special kind of cloth on the inside called oxford cloth, which is not only strong and durable but is waterproof. This ensures that the inside of your pet carrier stays dry and has a comfortable temperature for your cat.

Comfortability You May Need From A Cat Backpack

Last, but definitely not least, you should consider your own comfort when choosing a cat backpack! You’ll likely want to find a cat backpack that has an adjustable shoulder strap, a padded shoulder strap, chest buckle, and maybe even a waist strap. These features not only help secure the backpack to you so it’s not wobbling all over the place, but it helps take the weight of the backpack off of just your shoulders. The best backpacks available that you can buy for yourself are ones that are comfortable for you and for your cat, so both of you are happy and in good moods. If your cat is comfortable, they are even more likely to be on their best ‘cat behavior’!

Different Cat Backpack Carriers

Now that you have a better idea of some of the features that a cat backpack may have that you want to look for, here are 10 of the most popular and best cat backpack options on the market.

Lollimeow Pet Carrier Backpack

Description/Features

The Lollimeow Pet Carrier Backpack is one of the most popular pet backpacks on the market, and for good reason. There are tons of features that this bubble backpack has, including:

• A transparent bubble your fur baby can see through
• Being built out of waterproof material
• The backpack is easy to clean out
• It is multi-use and can be used for shopping as well as more rough and tough activities like hiking
• There is an adjustable shoulder strap, an adjustable chest strap, and an adjustable waist  strap
• It is durable, yet lightweight
• It has tons of mesh panels and holes in order to create the highest quality airflow so your pet gets fresh air

Price

There are a few different varieties of the Lollimeow Pet Carrier backpack, ranging from $39.99 to $44.99 on Amazon. If you’re interested in looking at customer reviews or purchasing this pet carrier, click this link to learn more.

Henkelion Cat Backpack Carrier

Description/Features

The Henkelion Cat Backpack Carrier is another highly rated cat backpack carrier. This bubble backpack has more than just a huge bubble for your cat to see out of. Although it doesn’t have chest straps or waist straps, it comes equipped with these features:

• Padded shoulder straps
• 9 holes of varying sizes for increased fresh airflow
• A removable fleece liner
• A leash inside to prevent your cat from escaping
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• A weight capacity for up to 10 pounds
• Different colors including purple, red, pink, blue, green, gray, and black
• Many more

Price

Currently, the Henkelion Cat Backpack Carrier has one size option available. Its listed price on Amazon is $39.99. Check it out here if you’re interested in it!

Pecute Cat Backpack Carrier

Description/Features

Although a little more expensive than the other cat backpack carriers we’ve looked at so far, the Pecute Cat Backpack Carrier is like luxury for your cat. Check out these neat features that the Pecute carrier has:

• Oxford cloth, which keeps the container lightweight and waterproof
• A latch that allows for the backpack to be expanded so your cat can comfortably crawl around when not on your back
• Two storage pockets for cat waste bags and other essentials
• A safety strap to attach to your cat’s collar to prevent her from escaping
• Adjustable, padded shoulder straps for human comfort
• Multiple zippers allow for the complete collapse of the carrier when not being used
• Lots of mesh windows for fresh air flow and so your cat can see what’s going on outside
• Capacity to hold larger cats, up to 18 pounds

Price

The Pecute Cat Backpack Carrier is $54.99 on Amazon. Although more expensive than its competitors, there are multiple extra features that other pet backpack carriers don’t have, plus the extra durable material throughout the entire carrier. There are multiple positive reviews of this cat backpack carrier that can be viewed here.

Texsens Pet Backpack Carrier

Description/Features

The Texsens Pet Backpack Carrier is a very durable, yet comfortable pet backpack carrier for your cat. From the back, it looks like a normal backpack with features such as padded shoulder straps that are also adjustable, a spongey back that makes the backpack breathable to humans as well as cats, pockets on the outside of the carrier for food, treats, or other pet essentials, and many cool colors.

When turning the backpack around, you’ll notice many other components, meant of course for your cat! These include:

• An expansion slot that rolls up and snaps in place when not in use (NOTE: there is a version of this pet backpack carrier that doesn’t have the expansion slot, which is slightly cheaper)
• Complete mesh windows are made out of durable materials except for the frame
• A weight capacity for up to 15 pounds of fluff
• A safety lock to keep your pet in place
• A removable, washable fleece pad to keep your cat comfortable and clean

One final feature of this backpack carrier is that its nimble frame and multiple mesh walls allow for it to be completely collapsible when you don’t need it, for easy storage and retrieval!

Price

There are two main versions of the Texsens Pet Backpack Carrier, one with the expansion slot and one without. The expansion slotted cat backpack runs for $36.99 on Amazon and the one without the expansion slot runs for $26.99 on Amazon. Click here to find out more about the expansion slot cat backpack and the backpack without the expansion slot. You can see what the expansion slot Texsens backpack looks like below!

PetAmi Deluxe Pet Carrier Backpack

The PetAmi Deluxe Pet Carrier Backpack is so much more than just a backpack. In addition to the deluxe pet carrier, if you decide to purchase this cat carrier, you’ll get a collapsible pet bowl for water or food and an identification tag in case you get separated from your cat.

Description/Features

Besides the add-ons, there are multiple features that this pet carrier has on the outside and on the inside, including:

• 4 different ways to allow your cat to come and go from the bag
• Chest straps and waist straps
• 5 different safety buckles to ensure the safety of your car
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Multiple mesh windows that allow fresh air to flow in and out of the cat backpack
• Lined bedding that is removable, allowing for easy cleaning and cat comfortability

Price

This pet carrier is reasonably priced at $39.99 and comes in a variety of colors, including navy, black, charcoal, heather gray, purple, red, and turquoise. You can check out the carrier and its reviews by clicking this link.

Apollo Walker Pet Carrier Backpack

Description/Features

The Apollo Walker is another excellent choice for a pet carrier backpack that you can choose from. It comes in multiple colors too, including black, light blue, navy blue, pink, teal, and gray. Functional features of the Apollo Walker Pet Carrier Backpack include:

• A collapsible design for easy storage and retrieval
• An adjustable chest strap
• An adjustable waist strap
• Adjustable shoulder straps that are also padded
• A sponge-like, breathable backing
• 2 side pockets for any essentials
• Mesh, open siding for cat breathability
• Soft padding for cat comfortability
• A safety leash to prevent your cat from escaping

Price:

The price of the Apollo Walker Pet Carrier Backpack falls right in line with many of the other cat backpacks we’ve examined so far. This one retails for $39.98 on Amazon and can be found here.

Petrip Pet Backpack Carrier

Description/Features

The Petrip Pet Backpack Carrier is one of the most heavy-duty pet carriers on this list. It can hold cats that are up to 20 pounds, making it an excellent choice for people who have larger cats and small cats alike. Here are some more of the neat features it has:

• An expandable pack that is completely ventilated with mesh
• Large mesh side panels and holes to allow for proper air ventilation
• Durable fabric that is scratch resistant and waterproof
• A satisfaction guarantee for the material it is made out of
• Padded shoulder straps for your comfort
• A chest buckle
• High-quality zippers so your cat can’t easily break out of it
• Approval for most major airlines

Price

The Petrip Pet Backpack Carrier is quite reasonably priced for the durability and heavy-duty features that it has. On Amazon, this cat backpack is sold for $36.99. You can find reviews and more information about this backpack here.

Pawaboo Pet Carrier Backpack

Description/Features

The Pawaboo Pet Carrier Backpack is a lot simpler and less involved than some of the other cat carriers we have looked at so far. This cat backpack is meant for light travel, shopping, and maybe light walks. Instead of being a traditional backpack, it features backpack-like adjustable straps, padding, and four holes for your cat’s legs to go through. The way this cat backpack works is your cat is placed sitting up inside the carrier, the carrier is zipped, adjusted, and finally buckled up.

There are not many features that are similar to other cat backpacks as this is a simplified version meant for light traveling. It does include a thick inside sponge, fabric-covered elastic, and wider straps meant for the utmost comfort for your cat.

Price

Because the Pawaboo Pet Carrier Backpack is a simpler cat backpack, its price is cheaper than some other models. It retails for $26.99 on Amazon, and can be found here.

Halinfer Expandable Pet Carrier Backpack

Description/Features

The Halinfer Expandable Pet Carrier Backpack is a classic bubble backpack for your cat. It has a huge, open front with nine different breathing holes so your cat can not only see everything around him but have fresh air flowing throughout the carrier. It is also expandable, hence the name, so your cat has some free roaming space while you’re not walking around with him. Some other features it has includes:

• A chest strap
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• A weight capacity for up to 12 pounds
• Lightweight, yet durable materials throughout the whole pet carrier
• Airline approval from many major airlines
• Two easy entrance and exit holes for your cat

Price

The price of the Halinfer Pet Backpack falls right in line with most of the other pet backpacks we’ve looked at so far. It retails for $42.99 on Amazon and comes in many fun colors such as black, turquoise, pink, a Pokemon pattern, and a space cats pattern. You can look at all the styles and specifications of the Halinfer Pet Backpack here.

PetKit Pet Backpack Carrier

Description/Features

The last excellent choice for cat backpacks is the PetKit Pet Backpack Carrier. Like the Halinfer Backpack, this model also features a bubble backpack design, which allows for your cat to be secured in place while allowing her to look out the window. Its outer shell looks a bit different and features many vents to allow for ventilation on the front and sides of it. Its built from eco-friendly materials and has an ergonomic design. Additionally, the PetKit Pet Backpack Carrier has these features:

• Rear mesh openings for 360-degree airflow
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• The ability to add on a fan and light for your cat (by purchasing the power bank separately)
• High-density wool for your cat’s comfort
• A 1-year warranty in case anything goes wrong

Price

This Pet Backpack Carrier is the most expensive option on this list, retailing at $69.99 on both Amazon and PetKit’s personal website. However, if you’re looking for extra features such as lights and fans, this would be an excellent choice for you. You can click this link in order to read consumer reviews and look at more in-depth pictures of the carrier.

Conclusion

We hope you were able to learn a lot about the best cat backpacks out there. There are so many options to choose from when looking to purchase the best cat carrier. Although you may need to do some research first and determine what your needs are as a cat owner, you’re sure to find a carrier option out there that will work for you and your furry friend.