Essential Oils & Dogs: What You Need To Know
We're fascinated by this topic because it's not something many dog owner's think of right away. However, essential oils, reed diffusers, and candles are all common things most people have in their home—so it's important you're aware of what is safe and dangerous for your four-legged roommate.
A dog’s sense of smell is between 1,000 to 10,000 times better than human's, so even if you think the scent you have around the house isn't very strong, it might be severely affecting your pup.
Certain oils can be toxic to dogs when coming into contact with the skin or ingested so you'll want to steer clear of:
| Anise | Juniper | Tea tree |
| Citrus | Pennyroyal | Thyme |
| Cinnamon | Peppermint | Wintergreen |
| Clove | Pine | Ylang ylang |
| Garlic | Sweet birch | Yarrow |
What to do if your dog comes into contact with essential oil:
If oil gets on your dog's fur/skin, wash them off as quickly as possible with dishwashing soap. These soaps can breakdown oils better than pet shampoo. If ingested, take your dog to vet immediately. If you haven’t seen your dog ingest or touch any oils, but they’re acting strange, it's always best to call your vet just in case.
Common symptoms of pet poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Excessive drooling
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Muscle tremors
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Burning around the mouth or tongue, pawing at the face or mouth
Now, keep in mind this doesn't mean you can never have a nice smelling item in your home again! Our recommendation is to opt for lavender essential oil as it is the safest for dog's to be around. If you're questioning an item that contains either pure essential oil or a blend of oils, contact your vet or shoot us an email at hello@wearewestley.com and we'll help you find the answer!