Can Essential Oils Cause Liver Damage In Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Our pets have a stronger reaction to these products than we do.

Many essential oils are toxic to pets and may cause severe respiratory irritation, GI upset, liver failure

, paralysis, and other life-threatening symptoms listed below.

Are essential oils toxic to the liver?


Most foreign substances, including essential oils, can potentially damage the liver by depleting glutathione

. Glutathione is one of the most potent detoxifying substances in the body. It is responsible for removing a wide variety of foreign chemicals from the body.

What essential oils are toxic for dogs?

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.

Can breathing essential oils be harmful to dogs?

Inhaling essential oils—diluted or not—is

generally thought to be less harmful to canines than if they ingest the oil or get it on their skin or coat

.

Is lavender oil toxic to dogs?


Lavender oil is safe for dogs when used properly

A dog ingesting lavender oil in large amounts is risky, but a small amount of diluted lavender oil as a topical to soothe your dog or protect against illness and insects can have an effective therapeutic effect on your pup.

How long does essential oil poisoning last in dogs?

The signs can be present for

up to 4 days

with aggressive care and treatment.

Is lavender diffuser safe for dogs?

Pet-safe Essential Oils. While pet parents should avoid using the majority of essential oils, a few are safe for pets if used appropriately. For example,

lavender (when used sparingly and in the proper concentration) is probably the safest essential oil for both dogs and cats

.

Can diffusing oils hurt dogs?


Dogs, too, can be harmed by essential oils

. However, most agree using non-toxic essential oils in a diffuser for a short period of time is not likely to be an issue, although diffusers should not be used if the pet has breathing problems, is confined to a small space and cannot leave, or a lot of oil is being used.

Are doTERRA oils safe for dogs?


doTERRA On Guard can be safely diffused in your home around dogs and cats

.

Is Lavender good for the liver?


Chamomile, Lavender and Rose are all essential oils to help calm down the liver’s anxiety and aggression

. They all help relieve headaches, migraines, pains in the body and most liver complaints by soothing tensions and alleviating stress.

How do I detox my liver with essential oils?

  1. Cypress: a diuretic that helps the body flush out toxins from the liver.
  2. Geranium: assists the liver by expanding bile ducts.
  3. German chamomile: stimulates bile secretions and supports liver detox.
  4. Ginger: helps reverse a fatty liver and stimulates liver secretions.

What are the negative effects of essential oils?

  • drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, coma (after large ingestion)
  • seizures.
  • persistent cough, gagging/choking, shortness of breath, wheezing.
  • nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.
  • skin irritation (skin exposure)
  • eye redness, irritation or pain (eye exposures).

What happens if dogs lick peppermint oil?

Essential Oils

Peppermint oil is highly concentrated and should not be given to canines. If your pup licks even a small amount of oil, it can be absorbed very quickly.

It can cause severe irritation to their stomach or mouth

. It can also severely damage their liver and cause death.

Is chamomile safe for dogs?

Chamomile is a daisy-like plant commonly used for herbal teas. Best known for its calming properties,

chamomile is safe for dogs

and full of healthy benefits. In fact, it is actually one of the safest herbs you can offer your pet! Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antispasmodic properties.

Is Lemongrass essential oil safe for dogs?

Lemongrass essential oils are sometimes recommended as a “natural” bug repellent for dogs but

due to the possibility of topical irritation and GI upset if your dog were to lick it off, I do not recommend using it on your pup

.

Are diffusers toxic to dogs?

Active Diffusers

While the droplets may be tiny,

they can cause big problems for pets, ranging from skin irritation to neurological symptoms

. “These droplets could fall onto your pet’s fur coat, leading to absorption or ingestion during grooming,” says Dr. Richardson.

Can breathing essential oils be harmful?

“In fact,

breathing in the particles released by the oils may actually trigger airway inflammation and asthma symptoms

,” she says. “The strong odors emitted by essential oils may contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. VOCs are chemical gases that worsen air quality and can irritate the lungs.”

Is eucalyptus safe for dogs?


Eucalyptus is toxic to dogs

. According to Dr. Turner, “Ingestion of eucalyptus leaves may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness; however, in large quantities, it may also cause seizures” in dogs. The ASPCA also notes dogs who ingest eucalyptus can suffer from depression.

Why is ylang ylang bad for dogs?

The first problem with essential oils interacting with your pup is that many common oils like peppermint, ylang-ylang, and tea tree oil are

poisonous for dogs when ingested

. This means a lick of calming essential oil can cause major tummy troubles for your dog – or worse, an emergency trip to the vet.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.