Essential oils are growing in popularity because they create a pleasing aroma and can even provide health benefits to many individuals. However, your veterinarian might recommend exercising caution when using them. Certain essential oils can be dangerous for your dog. Understanding the risks and how to keep your four-legged friend safe is crucial when using these products.  

Why Are Essential Oils Dangerous for Dogs?

The reason essential oils are risky around dogs is because certain ones can cause dangerous health problems in your pets. The symptoms are most common when the essential oils are applied directly to a dog’s skin or when they eat the concentrated versions of the oils.

Essential oil poisoning from consumption creates numerous health problems in dogs, including diarrhea, wobbliness, depression, weakness, and tremors. The severity of these symptoms depends on your dog’s weight, age, and species. Even applying essential oils directly to your dog’s skin can create problems, resulting in skin irritation, discomfort, and liver problems.

Tea tree oil is especially dangerous because it leads to issues such as difficulty walking, low body temperature, and excessive salivation. Wintergreen and pine oils should also be avoided as they cause vomiting, ataxia, respiratory distress, and lowers your dog’s heart rate.

Other commonly used oils that pose a risk for your dog include cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, sweet birch, and ylang -ylang.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe

Having a dog in the home doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of essential oils, but you need to take extra precautions to ensure your pet isn’t put in danger.

Always keep your essential oils stored in a safe, secure location where your dog can’t get to them. That helps prevent the risk of the oils being consumed and causing problems. Never apply concentrated essential oils directly on your dog’s skin. Instead, use a carrier one, such as liquid coconut or olive oil. These dilute the essential oil and slows the absorption rate, which helps avoid harmful side effects.

When using essential oils for aromatherapy, place the diffusor in an area that your dog can’t reach, or consider using a simmer pot recipe to safely fill your home with a pleasing scent. You can also use a spray bottle filled with diluted essential oils in open and well-ventilated rooms.

Before using any essential oils around your dog, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian to understand which ones are safe and how to use them in the safest manner.

If you have concerns about using essential oils around your dog, then contact the experts at Troy & Wentzville Veterinary Clinic. For more than 60 years, their talented team of veterinarians has been serving the greater Troy, MO, area, so they have the knowledge and expertise needed to provide their professional guidance to keep your dog safe and happy. Call (636) 528-4534 for Troy or (636) 327-6488 for Wentzville to schedule a consultation, or learn more about their services online.