Essential oils for dogs is a popular topic. Everyone’s quick to recommend them for almost any ailment … from arthritis to separation anxiety. Show Aromatherapy can help with your mental, physical and emotional well-being. But the essential oil blends you use might not produce the same reaction in your pets. In fact, some oils can be dangerous. And that’s what I want to talk to you about today … which essential oils are safe for your dog and which aren’t. I’ve heard some horror stories about essential oils … like one woman who caused liver failure in her dog by diffusing tea tree oil daily. Veterinarian Dr Richard Palmquist says this about essential oils and your dog: “Essential oils contain a host of biologically active and powerful compounds. Used correctly, they are an indispensable part of integrative medical care. However, they can cause undesirable and even dangerous side effects. This is why people using oils medically should seek specialized training.” So don’t think essential oils are safe because they are “natural.” Before you use them on your dog, you need to know which oils you can use … and how. Understanding Essential OilsHave you ever asked why plants contain essential oils? One reason is that they can’t move to escape threats. Instead, they produce compounds to repel predators and pathogens. The body can absorb essential oils into the bloodstream through various methods:
Once the oils get into the bloodstream, they can travel to various tissues. Different chemicals in the oils have a biological affinity for certain tissues. So knowing your oil’s components is the first step in choosing the right oil for your dog. Essential oils are very powerful, especially for animals. Even tiny amounts can have powerful biological effects on every system of the body. For example, lavender oil can be calming for the brain. You can use small amounts of lavender oil when traveling to calm your dog or make him sleepy. Safe Essential Oils For Your DogBefore you treat your dog with essential oils at home, it’s a good idea to talk to your holistic veterinarian. It’s especially important to get a diagnosis if your dog has severe or persistent symptoms. Also, make sure your vet knows what other natural products you’re using for your dog. This will help you avoid any interactions with other supplements. Here are some oils that are safe for short-term or first-aid use: 1. LavenderLavender is a universal oil. It’s useful for calming and relaxation, and can help your dog feel safe in a new or strange space. It can also help with …
2. CardamomCardamon is a diuretic and anti-bacterial. It helps regulate appetite and can also be used for …
3. FennelFennel helps the adrenals and balances pituitary, thyroid and pineal glands. It can also break up toxins and fluid in tissue. It also 4. HelichrysumHelichrysum is anti-bacterial and can reduce bleeding after an accident. It helps regenerate skin and repair nerves. It’s also useful in heart disease. 5. FrankincenseFrankincense has helped some cases of cancer and works on the immune system. It can reduce tumors and external ulcers as well as increases blood supply to the brain … although it can worsen high blood pressure, so use caution. 6. SpearmintSpearmint helps to reduce weight and helps balance metabolism and stimulate the gallbladder. It can also be used for … How To Use Essential Oils For DogsRemember, essential oils can help with your dog’s physical and mental issues but … they’re also very powerful. Be sure to use safe handling principles … or consult an aromatherapy expert so that you don’t risk making your dog sick. Because essential oils are so popular, there are some bad manufacturers. Some oils can contain contaminants or adulterants. This means they can cause a more serious adverse reaction. Always use high-quality oils from reputable companies. It’s best to verify the quality of oils before using them. A good company will be happy to answer questions about their product. Keep in mind that your dog’s sense of smell is hundreds of times more sensitive than yours. So use diluted oils … and provide him with an escape route. He’ll let you know if he doesn’t approve. Here’s a little teaser from our new Canine Essential Oils course. Isla talks about the ways your dog will let you know he doesn’t approve. So if your dog shows you he doesn’t like an oil, don’t force it on him. When you use essential oils for dogs … follow canine herbalist Rita Hogan’s recommendation: Use a 0.5 percent to a one percent dilution. This means 3 to 6 drops of essential oil per ounce of a carrier oil. She recommends using almond, coconut or apricot kernel oil. This recommendation is for topical use. For internal use, read Rita’s cautions here. Remember Your Dog Is A DogDogs metabolize and react differently to essential oils so … you need to know which oils are safe to use for your dog. Always be cautious with so-called “hot” oils like …
Use special care around your dog’s eyes. And always wash your hands after handling oils. That will prevent you from getting them into your own eyes too! When Less Is MoreDr Palmquist finds that pet owners can run into trouble with good intentions … “One problem we see in our clinic involves people overusing oils. A person discovers essential oils and begins to diffuse the oils into their homes leading to an unintentional overdose for their pets. Some essential oils can cause liver and kidney toxicity in sensitive species.” “To reduce the chances of sensitivity and organ toxicity, we generally use an oil for no more than two weeks and then provide a rest period.” “Under certain circumstances … like in the treatment of cancer … we will use oils for longer periods, but this is something best left to those trained in the use of oils.” You can read Dr. Palmquist’s entire article here.
The use of essential oils has become increasingly widespread over the last few years. While wildly popular, scientific support about the positive health effects is limited and contradictory. This is particularly true when discussing health effects on your pet. How safe are these essential oils for our pets? Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill. Diffusers emitting a lovely, nose-pleasing aroma may seem benign, but can be unsafe since it uses water vapour to diffuse tiny oil droplets into the air. Inhaling diffused oils is known to cause negative respiratory effects on humans and pets, if used in a small space and/or for an extended period of time. It is important to note that cats and dogs are much more sensitive to scents than their human counterparts. What you may believe to be an insignificant, fragrant scent may be overwhelming and harmful to an animal.
Essential oils are made from highly concentrated plant substances and are popular in aromatherapy and alternative medicine, as well as home air fresheners. There are numerous types of essential oils, each with their own unique physical and chemical properties. People believe the use of these “natural” essential oils helps improve their personal and their pet’s health and happiness. The perceived health benefits of essential oils has convinced some pet parents to try a holistic, “natural” approach to help with a wide variety of medical conditions, from anxiety and skin problems to flea and tick prevention. However, the perceived positive effects (calming sensations, stress-reduction, boost energy and improved focus, among others) of essential oils for you may result in significant negative effects on your beloved pet. “Natural” doesn’t always mean safe.There is some preliminary research – largely funded by companies selling herbal-infused pet products – that suggests essential oils may have some health benefits for pets. This has resulted in some holistic veterinarians to include essential oil treatments into their practices. Although research is still in the early stages, we don’t incorporate this yet-unproven therapy at our Cabbagetown animal hospital, as the risks outweigh any benefits. Instead, we recommend our Cabbagetown Care Preventative Care Program that will cover all your bases and may complement any holistic approach you choose to pursue.
Established research has shown that essential oils can be toxic to cats, whether taken internally, applied to the skin, or simply inhaled. Exposure can lead to serious liver damage, liver failure, respiratory failure, seizures and even death. Felines are missing specific enzymes that provide the ability to properly process various compounds (called “gluconuridation”) found in essential oils, specifically phenols. Phenolic compounds occur naturally in plants and are highly concentrated in essential oils, leaving the liver the most vulnerable to organ failure. Essential oil and aromatherapy diffusers, candles, liquid potpourri products, and room sprays are all sources of airborne essential oils that can be inhaled or licked off their fur. If you can smell the aroma of the oil, that means that there’s oil in the air and can result in respiratory distress. General guidelines for the use of essential oils in homes with your feline friends:
The following essential oils are poisonous to cats:
A dogs’ sense of smell is much more keen than humans – this is very important to consider if you plan to use or diffuse essential oils in your home. Placing drops of lavender oil on your pet’s bedding may help calm them, or it may just cause further stress. Oils used incorrectly can also lead to changes in behaviour, adverse central nervous system effects, and respiratory problems. Natural flea and tick treatments that use essential oils can be tricky. With a lack of data supporting the efficacy of these products, pet parents may be putting their dogs at risk for flea and tick-borne diseases. If you plan to use essential oils with/on your dog, there is an easy way to do it safely: talk to our veterinary team. They will let you know which oils are potentially dangerous and provide you with information about safely using them in your home.
For our canine friends, toxic essential oils include:
If you’re worried that your pet has been exposed, monitor them for symptoms. If they start having a negative reaction, bring your pet to the Cabbagetown Pet Clinic or an emergency animal clinic immediately. Common symptoms of essential oil poisoning:
What to do before going to our vet clinic or emergency animal hospital:
We believe the risks of using essential oils diffusers in your home outweigh the benefits, especially if you have curious pets in close proximity. Although we don’t outright discourage use of these oils, we do suggest you proceed with caution. The form of essential oil, dosage, and route of exposure are all important considerations. If you have an emergency related to essential oil exposure outside of our clinic hours, we recommend the Animal Health Partners for emergency medical care. And no matter which essential oil or diffuser you use, talk to our veterinarians, always do your research, and exercise caution.
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