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Essential oils aren’t essential for your dog. The description of “essential” in essential oils comes from the claim that highly concentrated plant parts truly capture the organism’s “essence” and offer health benefits. However, dogs can be extremely sensitive to these extracts, with the risks of exposure outweighing the possible benefits.
Key Points
“Although often seen as natural, many essential oils, including tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender, are toxic to pets,” explains Dr. Melissa Ogg, DVM at VEG iER for Pets in San Ramon, CA. “Exposure to tea tree oil, in particular, can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, tremors, and uncoordinated movements. Even skin contact may cause irritation or allergic reactions, so it’s best to avoid using these oils around animals altogether.”
Talk to your veterinarian before using any at-home remedies intended to address your dog’s health. They can offer the information you need to make informed decisions and keep your pet safe.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated organic matter extracted from pressing or distilling certain plants, including chamomile, jasmine, and sandalwood. These three concentrations are popular in aromatherapy, which claims to relieve anxiety and improve mood by inhaling various essential oils or scents. Other essential oils, such as ylang-ylang and bergamot, are also claimed to alleviate eczema symptoms.
These products aren’t regulated in the United States, meaning there is little oversight regarding their concentration, efficacy, and safety. There is also little research supporting the use of essential oils in both dogs and humans.
“Although there may be very specific circumstances in which a dog might benefit from a very limited exposure to certain types of essential oils, it is best to avoid them completely, unless otherwise advised by a veterinarian,” says Dr. Ogg.
Essential Oils Generally Aren’t Safe for Dogs
While some people praise essential oils for being “natural” remedies, natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe. A major concern with essential oils is that dogs are especially sensitive to them. Consider this: a dog’s sense of smell is at least 100,000 times more powerful than ours. So, upon lighting an oil diffuser, you may faintly smell eucalyptus in the background. Your dog, with their super nose, may find the scent overpowering. In another scenario, if your dog ingests essential oils, even in a highly diluted form, they may suffer gastrointestinal distress.
Dr. Ogg explains more, “Depending on the type of oil, the dose, and route of exposure, dogs can experience respiratory signs (labored breathing, cough), gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite), or other systemic toxicity (liver failure, kidney failure, seizures). Any of these can progress to the point of being fatal, which is why it’s best to avoid essential oils in and around dogs completely.”
Possible essential oil “poisoning” is not a wait-and-see situation. Consult an emergency veterinarian if your dog struggles to breathe, refuses food for more than 48 hours, or experiences neurological distress. You may also consider calling the Pet Poison Helpline, a consultation service that offers 24/7 immediate treatment advice from toxicology experts.
Considerations When Using Essential Oils With Dogs
As a dog owner considering the use of essential oils, here are some things to know:
- Essential oils have their place in Scent Work. AKC Scent Work is a sport that simulates scent detection tasks for working dogs. The Detective Class is considered the highest level of competition. Here, dogs must locate one or more essential oil odors, such as pine, sweet birch, and cinnamon. The oils are secured behind a protective casing to limit direct exposure.
- Essential oils can worsen skin problems. A misinformed owner may assume that because diluted tea tree oil can soothe skin conditions in humans, the same applies to dogs. Applying essential oils to your dog can cause skin burns, increase irritation, and even lead to poisoning if they lick it off.
- Your veterinarian can advise you on the best flea and tick prevention regimen. There is limited research supporting the use of essential oils in combating fleas and ticks. Based on your dog’s health profile (such as any allergies they may have), your veterinarian can recommend oral medications, topical treatments, and vaccines that repel parasites and the diseases they can carry.
“If a dog owner wishes to use essential oils for their own health benefits, it is best to do so in a way that limits the dog’s exposure,” Dr. Ogg says. “This may mean doing so in a room where the dog does not have access and ventilating the room well after use. It is best to keep the essential oils stored in a cabinet separate from the dog’s food, toys, and to ensure the dog cannot gain access to the oils when the owner is not around.”
Alternatives to Essential Oils
Suppose your dog is struggling with anxiety, skin issues, or problem behaviors stemming from boredom. In that case, there are many alternatives to essential oils that are effective, research-proven, and, more importantly, safe.
For example, if your dog is struggling with separation anxiety, you may consider purchasing a calming diffuser. These products periodically emit scents that are formulated to trigger biological, calming effects in dogs. Note that the scents themselves aren’t essential oils; they’re dog-appeasing pheromones (DAPs) that remind a dog of their mother when nursing, which can quell anxiety. White noise machines, compression garments, and positive reinforcement-based training can also be great calming tools.
Some breeds, such as Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherd Dogs are more likely to develop seasonal hot spots than other breeds. Rather than applying essential oils to the inflamed area, consult your veterinarian for proper treatment. They can recommend medications, dietary adjustments, and other measures to support your dog’s skin health. In the meantime, limiting your dog’s access to the hot spot, such as by using an e-collar or surgical recovery suit, may also encourage healing.
Consult Your Dog’s Veterinarian for More Information
You could spend hours online researching the safety of essential oils for dogs, but nobody can answer that question better than your veterinarian. And if your veterinarian happens to be Dr. Ogg, she’ll advise you to steer clear of them.
“Even small exposure can lead to big problems,” she says. “As with any home remedy, whether safe for humans or not, it is best to proceed with caution, and always check with your veterinarian if you are unsure about whether to use a particular product on your dog.”
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.