Despite its many wonderful uses,
tea tree oil can be toxic to dogs and cats when it's only mildly diluted or in concentrated form
.
What happens if my dog inhales tea tree oil?
Many veterinarians do not recommend the use of any tea tree oil product on small animals, including cats and dogs. Many experts believe the oil can lead to
serious damage to a dog's respiratory system and liver
. By ingesting tea tree oil, neurological disturbances can damage a dog's balance and coordination.
Can I spray my dog with tea tree oil and water?
Tea tree oil can also help eliminate worms and fungal infections such as ringworm.
Mix a few drops of tea tree with water and spray your dog daily to keep away ticks and fleas.
What are the signs of tea tree oil poisoning in dogs?
- Muscle weakness.
- Loss of coordination.
- Vomiting.
- Drop in body temperature.
- Drooling.
- Collapse.
- Depression.
- Skin rashes.
How do you dilute tea tree oil for dogs?
When you use tea tree oil on your dog's skin,
dilute it with a lot of water
. Take caution with the amount of oil used. As mentioned earlier, the recommended and safest ratio is 0.1-1% strength. At these levels, the weakened concentrate is no longer considered toxic.
How long does tea tree oil poisoning last in dogs?
Signs of essential oil toxicity in companion animals can occur within 2–8 hours (Villar et al, 1994) and typically
less than 24 hours
(Genovese et al, 2012), but can initially be non-specific and easily overlooked. Recovery often occurs within 24 hours, but can be longer.
How do you dilute tea tree oil for spray?
Combine a teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of water
in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to keep combined, and spot treat existing areas of mold. Leave for a few minutes and wipe away. To prevent mold and mildew, simply spray to apply where needed.
How much tea tree oil is toxic to dogs?
Tea tree oil is often found in varying concentrations and high concentrations should never be used on pets. As little as 7 drops of 100% oil has resulted in severe poisoning, and applications of
10-20 mls of 100% oil
have resulted in poisoning and death in both dogs and cats.
How do you dilute tea tree oil with water?
To dilute tea tree oil to make an all-purpose cleaning solution,
mix 20-25 drops of tea tree oil with 1/4 cup of water and 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle
. If you want to use tea tree oil to treat your acne, dilute it by adding 1-3 drops of the oil to your cleanser or moisturizer.
What are the symptoms of essential oil poisoning in dogs?
- fragrance or scent on hair coat, skin, or breath.
- difficulty breathing.
- difficulty walking or uncoordinated gait.
- drooling.
- lethargy or weakness.
- muscle tremors.
- pawing at the mouth or face.
- redness or burns on the lips, gums, tongue, or skin.
How many drops of tea tree oil do I put in a spray bottle?
Combine
4 to 5 drops
of oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
How long does essential oil poisoning last in dogs?
The signs can be present for
up to 4 days
with aggressive care and treatment.
Should you dilute tea tree oil?
It's important to dilute the oil with a carrier oil
, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil. For every 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil, add 12 drops of a carrier oil. Also, be careful when using tea tree oil around the eye area. Exposure can cause redness and irritation.
Can I disinfect with tea tree oil?
Tea tree oil can be used to treat and disinfect minor cuts and abrasions
by killing S. aureus and other bacteria that can cause infection in open wounds ( 1 ).
How much tea tree oil do you mix with water?
Add
2 drops of tea tree oil to a cup of water
and use as mouthwash. Do not swallow as tea tree oil is toxic if taken internally. Natural dandruff remedy.
