Eucalyptus oil has been used as an herbal remedy by Australian native Australian for thousands of years , but it was n’t premise to the Western world until pick up by a ship ’s operating surgeon in 1788 ( 1,2 ) . It ’s of late gained in popularity again . And , where human trends go , our canine friend succeed . So , is eucalyptus oil safe for dogs ? Let ’s take a look .
What Is Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil is an essential crude that is distilled from the leaves of sure coinage of eucalyptus tree , also make out as dismal gum tree . Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia but are now wide grow worldwide as ornamental trees and for their medicinal property ( 3 ) .
Leaves of the eucalyptus ( usuallyEucalyptus globulus(4 ) but there are other mixed bag ( 5 ) used for essential oils ) are chopped and come out into distill apparatus ( 6 ) . This sends steam through the leaf , which collects the petroleum as it goes . Once the steam reaches the top of the apparatus , it hits a cold airfoil where it concentrate back into liquid weewee and oil . These are hoard , and left to separate — like most crude , the essential vegetable oil floats on the surface of the water , meaning separating the two is easy .
Eucalyptus oil color is mostly made of eucalyptol , also known as cineole ( 7 ) . This active ingredient has been used for thousands of years for a variety of medicinal consumption , as well as being used in foods , perfumes , and pesticides ( 6 ) . Eucalyptol is thought to have anti - inflammatory effects , and has historically been used to cover dental disease , respiratory problems , cephalalgia and foreland louse ( 8,9,10,11,12 ) .
Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe for Dogs?
Whether or not eucalyptus crude oil is good for dogs is a bit of a minefield . Not only have there been very few studies done , there are a range of products available , some with more eucalyptol than others , making any definitive solution hard .
TheASPCAlists eucalyptus tree as a toxic industrial plant to dogs and the Blue Cross agrees , lean it as “ very poisonous to dogs ” due to the eucalyptol the flora hold . Dogs are notallergicto eucalyptus petroleum , but eucalyptol may still be toxic due to liver or kidney damage ( 13,14 ) .
Eucalyptus essential crude is a purified , hard variant of the plant , which mean it ’s more strong , and therefore more dangerous . It is toxic when ingested , stimulate regurgitation , diarrhea , depression , phlegm , and seizures in human beings , with a dose of just 3.5ml being known to be fatal to an grownup homo , although some mass have recovered from mellow doses than this ( 15,16,17 ) . It appears that the symptom can not be accurately foreshadow by the Lucy in the sky with diamonds , but we know that small fry are know to be more susceptible to the event ( 18 ) . But we do n’t know how much eucalyptus rock oil is toxic to dogs .
brute can also absorb eucalyptol through their skin , meaning that substantive oils placed directly onto the tegument can also cause symptoms ( 19 ) . This is also true of diffusing eucalyptus oil , which can land on creature and be absorbed , or groomed off and ingest . Diffusing eucalypt vegetable oil and dogs are a bad combination — so keep your dog well away from your diffuser , ideally in another room .
Eucalyptus OilBenefitsfor Dogs
Interestingly , it ’s unclear whether eucalyptus tree oil has any benefits in human being , let alone wienerwurst . The US National Library of Medicine advises there is not enough grounds to recommend it for any of the diseases it has historically been used for ( 18 ) . The European Committee on Herbal Medicine Products , on the other hired man , conclude that eucalyptus tree folio can be market for use for a “ cough assort with a cold”—not because there was evidence of effectualness , but because the treatment gets an herbal medicinal drug exemption ( 20 ) .
So , what about andiron ? Well , there are no bailiwick leaven a welfare to dogs . It ’s likely that , at the veracious concentrations , lemon eucalyptus tree oil repels fleas and other barbed louse ( 21)—but it ’s not clear whether those concentrations of substantive crude are safe for cad or not . There ’s also some evidence that eucalypt oil helps reduce bother from gout arthritis in mice ( 22 ) . Whether this is lawful of other forms of arthritis , and in other species , is yet to be seen .
Other than the possible loathsome burden , it take care like eucalyptus tree oil does n’t have any clear benefits for hotdog .
Pet Products That Contain Eucalyptus Oil
Despite this lack of grounds , mass of favored products contain eucalyptus tree rock oil . While many expend it simply as a deodorizer , some include it for its possible bactericide , anti - rabble-rousing , and worm - repellent effects .
Eucalyptus oil can be find in cad shampoos and atomiser as a deodorant . Ear wipes and cleaners also sometimes include eucalyptus crude , although whether for the bug - repellent properties or nice scent , it ’s not clear . There are also rude flea spot - ons , collars , and powders available that curb lemon eucalyptus oil for dogs .
While these products in all probability check very minuscule eucalyptus oil , and it ’s usually very dilute , there is still a potential risk to your pet if you use them . The truth is , we just do n’t sleep together how much eucalyptus oil is toxic . Even if we did , every firedog is unlike , and a hound ’s susceptibility to eucalypt may also exchange over clock time — for instance , if the dog develop liver disease or develops a peel disease that causes them to groom themselves more .
“ raw ” intersection do n’t necessarily have the same strict examination as medicinal drug , and this can direct to toxic products realise it onto the market . ASPCA Animal Poison Control has had several cases of side consequence and even demise from “ natural ” flea products containing substantive oil ( 23 ) .
Eucalyptus Oil for Fleason Dogs: Does it Work?
There is some grounds that eucalyptus oil , locally lend oneself , might aid to get disembarrass of head dirt ball in humans ( 18 ) . However , worm and fleas differ in one major aspect — head louse can not live without a human , so topical applications can kill all lice in an infestation . Fleas , on the other helping hand , regularly hop on and off pets , expend time in the surroundings , and lead large parts of their spirit cycle in your carpeting and home .
While a topical diligence of shampoo or oil might belt down the fleas on your pet , 95 percent of the infestation is secure from topical flea treatments . In addition , you ’ll need extremely concentrated eucalyptus tree crude oil treatment to kill fleas in effect — and this could be enough to be toxic to frankfurter .
While there is currently no grounds that eucalypt is a good and effective flea repellant for dogs , the Centers for Disease Control does consider it to be efficacious to repel mosquito in humans ( 21 ) . However , it only survive eight hour after program to human cutis — a dog ’s pelt and difference in the skin level may bear upon the time it work for hotdog , and unconstipated lotion may be dangerous . More grounds is call for for its use as a flea preventative in dogs .
Eucalyptus Oil and Dogs:Precautionsto Take
With no proven welfare , and grounds that eucalyptus oil is bad for dogs , it might be best to avoid using eucalyptus rock oil tout ensemble on your dog , unless prescribed by aholistic or herbal veterinary , who may apply good Cupid’s itch of eucalyptus as part of a treatment architectural plan ( 24 ) .
If you do use eucalypt oil or eucalyptus tree production for dogs , here are some safety aspects to consider :
There is no adept grounds to support using eucalyptus crude oil in pets , but that has n’t prevented it from being included in a number of favored products . While these diminished doses are likely to be safe , it ’s best to remain cautious , as eucalyptol is known to be exceedingly toxic in the wrong concentrations . If you do want to use herbal medicine on your Canis familiaris , babble out to a member of theAmerican Holistic Veterinary Medical Association , who will be able-bodied to provide you with advice and guidance about eucalyptus tree oil and dogs .
