Is Your Aromatherapy Affecting Your Dog

Is your love affair with essential oils taking a toll on your dog? It’s easy to get carried away on the essential oil bandwagon, but this natural treatment option can have serious side effects. Learn the risks of using essential oils around your dog, keeping an eye out for skin issues, allergies, and other health risks your essential oil use could pose to your pooch.

Natural Does Not Always Mean Safe

Highly aromatic essential oils are made from various plant parts, distilled down into potent volatile organic compounds for therapeutic use. They are relied on by many for perceived health benefits from stress relief to immune support. Some also use them on pets to address health issues or as natural flea and tick prevention.

Though natural, essential oils are a highly concentrated form of plant substances. For example, consider the powerful effects of the leaves of cannabis, tobacco, and willow bark (aspirin). Bear in mind, no extensive scientific studies have been conducted on essential oil use for treating common ailments in humans and pets. Be mindful not to overlook the possible health risks of these oils.

Essential Oils Pose a Serious Risk to Pets if Used Improperly

The powerful compounds in essential oils can also take a toll on your dog, causing:

●     Behavioral changes
As potent as essential oils smell to you, they can be even more overwhelming for your pet. Just a few drops can have a powerful effect, causing changes in behavior, stress, respiratory issues, and adverse central nervous system effects.

●     Skin irritation
Essential oils can be irritating to your dog’s skin. Never apply essential oils directly on your pup. Look for specially formulated, dog-safe products.

●     Gastrointestinal upset
Chemicals in essential oils are absorbed rapidly both orally and through the skin. If your pooch licks them off, he can get quite sick. Puppies, elderly dogs, and pets with liver disease often suffer the most when exposed to these chemicals.

●     Poisoning
Hopefully, you know chocolate, grapes, and other foods that are harmless to humans can be toxic to your pup, even in small quantities. Essential oils are no different. In high concentrations, even inhaled or diffused oils can be toxic to your pet.

What Essential Oils are Toxic to Dogs?

●     Citrus (lemon, orange, grapefruit, etc.)

●     Peppermint and wintergreen

●     Cinnamon

●     Pine

●     Tea tree

●     Ylang ylang

●     Sweet birch

●     Pennyroyal

Always store essential oils in a place where pets can’t reach them. If you’re afraid your canine companion has ingested essential oils or is showing signs of toxicity, contact your vet or poison control immediately.

Using Essential Oils Safely Around Your Pet

Rest assured, if you aren’t ready to give up your love affair with essential oils, it is possible to use them safely. Talk to your vet about the best way to use essential oils around your dog, and how to properly dilute them to help your canine companion.

Help your dog de-stress safely. Schedule a safe and relaxing massage at DoGone Fun today.

This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/is-your-aromatherapy-affecting-your-dog/