Welcome to the comprehensive guide on the safety of Eucalyptus oil for dogs. As responsible pet owners, ensuring the well-being of our furry friends is of utmost importance. Eucalyptus oil is renowned for its numerous benefits, but when it comes to our canine companions, questions arise about its safety. In this Perfect Safety Guide, we delve into the intricacies of using Eucalyptus oil around dogs, providing you with the knowledge to make informed decisions for your pet’s health.
Recently, eucalyptus oil has become a trendy essential oil, but as a herbal remedy, its contribution is ancient. It has been used for thousands of years by Australians for herbal treatments. But as the human trends flourish, our four-legged friends follow. So, is eucalyptus oil safe for dogs? If ‘yes’, then how far is it safe for them?
What is the Eucalyptus Oil?
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Eucalyptus oil is treated as an essential oil because of its medicinal properties. It is distilled from mainly the leaves and stems of the eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is a native Australian tree, but for its increasing popularity with time, now the tree is globally available. Apart from its medicinal usage, eucalyptus oil is being used in perfume, food, and pesticide industries for decades.
Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe for Dogs?
It is a little difficult to answer in binary. Whether eucalyptus oil is safe for dogs or not depends on a few measurements. The eucalyptus oil products available in the markets are manifold. While some contain more eucalyptol than other products and it makes giving any definite answer problematic. The Blue Cross lists the Eucalyptus tree is toxic to dogs. About the plant, it is noted as “very poisonous to dogs”, due to the high amount of toxic eucalyptol, the trees contain.
Why Eucalyptus Oil is Not Good for Dogs?
Is eucalyptus oil safe for dogs? Well, sometimes but most of the time, it is not. They generally do not have an allergy to eucalyptus oil, but the eucalyptol is potentially toxic to their liver and kidney. Not only for animals, but eucalyptus oil is also very toxic to humans. Even a 3.5 ml small dose could be potentially fatal for an adult human.
Dogs can absorb the oil directly by their skin even if you are not grooming them with any eucalyptus oil product. It is also true in the case of diffusing the oil itself. Diffusing the eucalyptus oil and your dog- is a proper mismatch. So it is suggested to keep your dog in another room, away from the diffuser.
Eucalyptus Products for Pets
Being a dog parent, I was asked several times “is eucalyptus bad for dogs?” Now the current scenario is that very few people know that the product they are using to their puppies, whether it contains eucalyptol or not!
There are plenty of products available on market for pets that contain eucalyptol in a high or moderate range. Some people use it as perfume, while some others for its potential insect-repelling, antibacterial or inflammatory effects. Eucalyptol is present in dogs’ shampoos and sprays as well. Powders and flea spot-on for dogs are also on the list that contains eucalyptus oil.
Although the eucalyptus oil is probably present in a very moderate range in these aforementioned products and is also heavily diluted. But using these products on your dog is always a potential risk to their health. Nobody knows the limit from where the oil becomes toxic for dogs and that is the problem.
Benefits of Eucalyptus for Dogs
Is eucalyptus safe for dogs? What are the benefits of it? Well, to date there is no such study found that states any benefit of eucalyptus oil for dogs, not even for humans also! The eucalyptus oil with lemon extract, in proper concentration, is said to be effective as an insect and flea repellent. But whether it is safe for them or not, remains unclear. Except for the possible flea repelling effect, there is no such evidence to call eucalyptus oil beneficial for dogs.
Precautions To Be Taken
Is eucalyptus oil safe for dogs? No. Is eucalyptus safe for dogs? The answer is the same. The plant apart from its oil does not have any noteworthy beneficial output. It might be a wise choice to avoid using eucalyptus oil on your dogs, unless, a herbal vet prescribes so.
If you have been using any eucalyptus product on your dog, then these are some safety measures you should be aware of.
- Say a big ‘No’ to concentrated eucalyptus oil. No matter in which form you are using it, it should be heavily diluted.
- Never use any eucalyptus product on damaged skin.
- Do not apply eucalyptus oil on puppies or young dogs, whether it is diluted or not.
- Do not use the oil or any other eucalyptus product on your dog, if you have a cat and they could come in contact.
- While your dog is in the same room, you should not use eucalyptus oil in a diffuser.
Symptoms of Eucalyptus Poisoning
Ingestion of eucalyptus directly can cause severe damage to the intestine and nervous system. “Is eucalyptus oil safe for dogs?” becomes a fruitless question because the symptoms generally take a week to appear, and when it does, the condition is already critical. The symptoms of eucalyptus poisoning are noted below:
- Diarrhoea
- Confusion
- Depression
- Difficulty in swallowing
- losing appetite
- Inflammation in the mouth
- Vomiting
- Low blood pressure
- Lethargy
- Muscle weakness
- Rapid or weakened breathing and heart rate.
A Canine Wellness Compass: Navigating Eucalyptus Oil Safely:
In the realm of pet care, our furry companions’ safety is paramount. As we conclude this guide, titled “A Canine Wellness Compass: Navigating Eucalyptus Oil Safely,” it becomes evident that understanding the nuances of using Eucalyptus oil around dogs is crucial for their well-being. While this natural remedy offers potential benefits, responsible usage, awareness of your dog’s sensitivities, and consultation with a veterinarian remain the guiding principles. With the right knowledge, you can create a harmonious environment where your dog thrives, and the subtle aroma of Eucalyptus becomes a complement to their overall health.
The bottom line is, eucalyptus oil is bad for dogs in an inappropriate concentration. And there is no such reason or evidence to support the usage of eucalyptus oil on pets. But also nothing has prevented it from being used as an ingredient in pet products. So the option is to be cautious. If you prefer herbal treatments for your dog, then talk to a herbal veterinarian, who will be able to make a safe and proper treatment plan for your pup with keeping all the cautions in mind. May all our puppy friends have a healthy life!
