What To Know About Essential Oils and Pets

Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. They have powerful fragrances and are used for cleaning, relaxation and therapeutic benefits. Research suggests that essential oils may have some health benefits for pets and some holistic veterinarians use them in their practices.

In some cases, natural isn’t always safe for our pets. Some essential oils are toxic to cats and dogs, whether they are applied to the skin or taken in orally. The following essential oils are poisonous to cats and dogs:

Cinnamon oil

Citrus oil

Clove oil

Pennyroyal oil

Peppermint oil

Pine oils

Sweet Birch oil

Tea Tree oil

Wintergreen

Ylang Ylang

Please check with your veterinarian before using essential oils for your cat or dog. If using a diffuser, keep pets out of the rooms with high concentrations of diffused particulates. Remember that the more dilute the oil, the safer it is for your pets.

Warning: Tea Tree Oil May Be Toxic To Pets

Many people use Tea Tree Oil as a natural treatment for skin problems such as cuts, burns, rashes, yeast and bacterial infections.  The oil can be found in a variety of human products such as soaps, toothpaste and skin creams.   Tea Tree oil has a smell like camphor and is touted for its bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

In small concentrations (.1% to 1%), tea tree oil is tolerated and safe for cats and dogs.   Thus,  it is found in many pet shampoos and sprays.  But, what most pet owners don't realize is that in anything but the tiniest, most dilute dose, tea tree oil is actually toxic for pets and can result in death.  If taken orally, Tea Tree Oil is toxic but even application of 100 percent essential tea tree oil in high enough amounts, has the potential to cause liver failure and death.

Unfortunately, the oil's popularity has resulted in larger numbers of households with bottles of 100 percent tree tea oil, and accidental ingestion or improper dilutions of this highly concentrated oil can be harmful to pets.  Most pet owners that use the oil assume  it is a safer alternative than using medications.

Tea tree oil contains chemicals called terpenes that work effectively against bacteria and fungi.   However, terpenes are rapidly absorbed whether taken orally or applied on the skin. This means that if a pet owner topically applied  concentrated oil to a pet's skin, it could result in the same toxicity as accidental oral ingestion. Given the tendency of pets to groom, especially cats,  the toxicity risk of topical applications is very dangerous. Symptoms follow within a few hours after exposure.  If you have accidentally applied this to your pet, please contact your veterinarian immediately and try to wash the oil off the skin right away. 

Symptoms of toxicity vary depending on the dose of  Tea Tree Oil that the pet was exposed to.  Drooling or vomiting can occur with mild doses of the oil.  More serious symptoms include tremors, seizures,  difficulty walking, symptoms of liver failure.  If your pet displays these signs, please don't hesitate to take your pet immediately to an emergency veterinary clinic.  While tea tree oil pet products tout their benefits, the products may not contain enough to make them worthwhile or worth the risk of overexposure.  It's unfortunate that this wonderful natural supplement for humans is quite problematic for pets.