You might think that essential oils are suitable for pets because they are natural and have many health benefits for people. However, you should be careful, as some things that are perfectly safe for humans can be extremely toxic for dogs.
This article will take a closer look at what essential oils are bad for dogs so that you can keep your pet safe.
In this article, we will discuss the following:
- Are essential oils harmful to dogs?
- Which essential oils are toxic for dogs?
- Is diffusing essential oils bad for dogs?
Are Essential Oils Harmful To Dogs?
First of all, we love to turn to essential oils for the pleasant aroma. They can be diffused into our homes to calm, relax, or awaken us. Farmers usually extract essential oils from plants so that we can use them for medicinal properties too.
As well as that, aromatherapy oils can be great for holistic remedies that can help with all sorts of common ailments as an alternative to harsh chemicals.
Many of us also share our homes with pets; therefore, it is wise to consider whether the essential oils we like to use in our environment are harmful to animals.
Asking whether essential oils are bad for dogs, for example, should be as automatic as questioning whether certain types of human food are safe for dogs to eat.
Our pets rely on us to keep them safe in our human world after all. Just because essential oils contain natural ingredients doesn’t necessarily mean that they are safe for our pets.
Most of the essential oils are perfectly safe for animals in small quantities. Indeed, your pet dog may benefit from them as you do. Many of them, however, can be very harmful to pets.
In this article, we will be looking at four common essential oils that your pets may encounter in the home that may have an adverse effect on their health or even risk their life.
What Essential Oils Are Bad For Dogs?
It is wise to remember that essential oils are very powerful natural substances. In other words, they are incredibly potent and pure. This is why they are so great for using as fragrances or natural health remedies.
We should always be aware that the molecules in essential oils are highly reactive with the compounds found in our own bodies and the bodies of our pets.
Put it differently, many aromatherapy oils are bad for dogs because they can interfere with the dog’s natural body chemistry.
Therefore, you should never assume that an animal would react in the same or a similar way to a substance or food as humans do.
In fact, animals are often much more sensitive than we are. Hence, they can suffer adverse effects that can be life-threatening if not treated in time.
If you are ever unsure about how your pet will react to something new, it is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian.
In the case of essential oils, the best advice is not to dabble when it comes to pets unless under the close guidance of a pet professional.
Some essential oils can be suitable for your pet, especially in small quantities. However, it is always best to play it safe when it comes to the animals we love and cherish.
So let us look at some of the essential oils that you should avoid exposing your pet dog to at all costs!
Tea Tree Essential Oil
People today are more aware about providing pets with healthier and more natural diets and lifestyles. Therefore, more and more dog owners are looking towards holistic approaches and natural remedies to treat their pets.
It is no wonder that tea tree oil has made it to the top of our list! It is a widespread essential oil, known for its medicinal properties for humans.
Unfortunately, tea tree oil (or Melaleuca oil) is also one of the most common offenders when it comes to essential oils and toxicity in dogs.
Well-meaning pet owners often go to tea tree oil in an attempt to treat a variety of skin conditions. Moreover, they wish to repel those dreaded fleas that cause them so much stress in the summer months of the year.
Also, some dog owners make a mistake when they observe tea tree oil in the ingredients lists of dog shampoos and assume that it is safe for their pets. As a result, they apply the essential oil topically in its concentrated form either in the home environment or on the actual dog.
It is the concentrated form of many essential oils that are the culprits of so many pet poisoning incidents. The symptoms of poisoning from these essential oils can be alarming and will require immediate emergency veterinary attention.
If your dog has been exposed to tea tree oil, you should look out for signs of depression, an uncoordinated gait (ataxia), or even paralysis of the rear legs, along with vomiting and hypothermia (low body temperature), and dermal irritation.
Pennyroyal Essential Oil
As dog owners, we have all likely come up against one of the most common and most difficult conditions to get rid of in dogs – fleas.
If you have ever experienced a flea infestation, then you will know what I am talking about. when It can be very stressful to know that fleas are reproducing and spreading not only on your pet dog but also in your home.
It is not surprising that pet owners will try anything to get rid of them. It includes using seemingly harmless natural remedies and insect repellents.
Pennyroyal has a long history in folk medicine and people used it for many years as an insect repellent.
Unfortunately, the use of this highly potent essential oil in your home or on your dog can cause severe toxicity in dogs. In the most serious case, it can lead to hepatic necrosis and liver failure.
Exposure to pennyroyal will cause bloody vomiting and diarrhea. It can be very alarming to an unsuspecting pet owner, and ultimately lead to lethargy and death.
Your pet might need prompt and aggressive veterinary attention in order to stabilise the liver and prevent organ failure.
Therefore, it is imperative not to expose your dog to this hazardous essential oil, no matter how dire the flea situation is in your home. There are much safer alternatives.
Wintergreen Essential Oil
The oil of wintergreen contains methyl salicylates, more commonly known as aspirin. This essential oil can be used topically for pain relief and is particularly popular for muscle aches. It is also used in holiday candies and may be used by bakers in their products.
If your dog is exposed to quantities of this essential oil, in any form, they are likely to experience severe gastrointestinal upset. The symptoms might include vomiting and diarrhea, and this may lead to ulcers and potential renal and liver failure.
Again emergency veterinary care will be required in order to get your dog’s symptoms under control. In some cases your dog might need urgent care to stop it from developing into something more serious.
Pine Essential Oil
Pine oils are definitely worth a mention as this is a widespread and popular essential oil people use to fragrance their homes and toiletries. It has a potent and attractive smell, and as we all know, dogs are always lured to strong scents.
We commonly use pine oils as a very effective natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Many different household cleaning products contain pine oils as an ingredient.
Pine essential oils are also used as a massage oil, due to the benefits of increased circulation. As well as that, it helps to decrease swelling and tenderness or pain. Pine has excellent antibacterial properties.
In dogs, however, exposure to this powerful ingredient will lead to a range of adverse reactions.
For instance, it can result in dermal or gastrointestinal irritation contributing to vomiting that may contain blood. Drooling and weakness may also be present, with effects on the central nervous system and liver.
It goes without saying that all dog owners want to avoid a potentially painful vet bill and keep their pets safe. Therefore, you should try to ensure that you don’t expose your pet to pine oil or any human or house products that contain it.
Always seek out pet-friendly house cleaning products, even when on the lookout for products with natural ingredients. Unexpectedly, these natural ingredients can often be dangerous for your dog.
Is Diffusing Essential Oils Bad For Dogs?
To round up our exploration of aromatherapy oils’ toxicity for dogs, we will look at whether diffusing essential oils is bad for dogs.
Undoubtedly, it is one of the most popular ways that we enjoy using essential oils. Hence, it is one of the most likely means that your dog may come into contact with it.
We have seen how toxic essential oils can be when they come into contact with dogs in their concentrated form. Are the effects the same when your pet inhale the aroma through the air, though?
The simple answer is that you could, in fact, be poisoning your pet when you are dispensing aromatherapy oils into the air in your home. It merely depends on which essential oils you are burning or diffusing,
It is indeed a pretty scary fact and makes it all the more important to be aware of which essential oils are bad for dogs.
The best advice for diffusing essential oils in a household that contains pets is to only diffuse them for a short period. Preferably, use the room that your pet does not have access to. Ideally, the area should be well ventilated.
If your pet has a history of breathing problems, then it is best to steer clear of essential oils for providing fragrance in your home altogether.
Don’t forget that animals, especially dogs, have a much more sensitive sense of smell than humans. ( Feel free to read the article Dog Sense of Smell VS. Human). Therefore, by burning or diffusing essential oils, you could be creating a very unhealthy and uncomfortable environment for your dog.
To Summarize
The question of whether essential oils are bad for dogs should be taken very seriously due to aromatherapy oils being so powerful and volatile.
Different oils may affect your dog in different ways. Also, the toxicity levels may vary depending not only on the essential oil itself but also on the quantities.
As these vary so widely, it is safer to avoid using essential oils around all pets where possible or at least limiting your pets’ exposure to them on the safe side.
Written: by Zara M.