Why Are Some Essential Oils Dangerous For Dogs?
But first, let’s talk about why it’s not safe to give your dog any old essential oil you have around the house. For one, your pup’s nose is far more sensitive than yours. Any essential oils you diffuse or use around the house might smell nice to you, but for your dog, it can cause behavioral issues, as well as central nervous system and respiratory problems.
Secondly, essential oils are known to cause chemical changes within the body, which is why they’re so effective on humans. Essential oil extracts are extremely concentrated, and many need to bind to a carrier oil or be diluted in water to be used by humans. For dogs, however, their sensitive bodies can’t handle the chemical changes of most essential oils, even if you’ve diluted the oils.
Also, many essential oils are labelled by the types of therapeutic effects they possess and may not clearly include all of the ingredients on the front label. This is because certain essential oils can be very costly, and companies sometimes mix cheaper oils or species of certain plant oils together to save on costs.
That’s why it is very important to read the ingredients list to be sure the essential oils you’re using don’t have any additives, and be mindful of the types of essential oils you use around your beloved dog.
Which Essential Oils Are Bad for Dogs?
Of these essential oils, a surprising number of them aren’t just harmful to dogs if applied to the skin or swallowed, it might also cause serious health issues. Essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, pennyroyal, and more are also toxic if used in diffusers or in everyday use around the house.
That’s why many veterinarians recommend avoiding essential oils all together, as many pet parents don’t realize the dangers of these oils. Fortunately, you can use certain essential oils, as we’ll discuss shortly!
Controversial Essential Oils
While some essential oils are definitely toxic to man’s best friend, others are less clear-cut. To be on the safe side, either avoid these controversial essential oils or check with your dog’s veterinarian prior to using:
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Certain types of tea tree oil
What to Do if Your Dog Is Exposed to Dangerous Essential Oils?
If your pet is ever exposed to any of the above essential oils, be it through consumption, skin absorption, or the air, alwayscontact the veterinarian, especially if your pet shows any of these symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive or abnormal drooling
- Fatigue or weakness
- Muscle tremors
- Vomiting or lack of appetite
- Difficulty getting up or walking
- Discolored or burnt-looking lips, gums, tongue, or skin
If it’s after hours, or your veterinarian isn’t available, consider contacting the Pet Poison Helpline (1-800-213-6680) or taking your dog to the animal emergency hospital.
In addition, wash any essential oils off your dog’s fur or mouth as soon as possible if your dog is exposed to a dangerous oil, and never use an unknown essential oil without first speaking with your pet’s veterinarian prior to use.
Safe Essential Oils for Dogs
Safe Scented Toys for Dogs
Here at Chopper and Otis, we have vetted natural dog toys that use essential oils to find the highest-quality products for your dog’s safety.
We’re proud to offer Planet Dog’s Orbee-Tuff products, which contain natural mint scents, to calm your dog during playtime and improve your dog’s breath. All of these products are BPA-free, FDA-approved, and made in the USA.
Here are our bestselling scented dog toys:
Orbee-Tuff Squeak
Orbee-Tuff Snoop
Orbee-Tuff Bone
Until next time--