You must have seen a koala bear chewing on a branch of leaves.The leaves are eucalyptus leaves. The eucalyptus tree is indigenous to Australia and the oil extracted from it is used as a remedy for many health and skin-related problems.Using eucalyptus oil is beneficial for dogs in liquid form and in small quantities. It is an essential oil that has many benefits for pets as well as humans. It possesses insect-repelling and anti-microbial properties that can soother a dog’s skin and also make it smell fresh. When this essential oil is used in diluted form, it can cure skin ulcers and arthritis. However, it can become toxic for dogs it is used in undiluted form. Read on to find out the many benefits of using eucalyptus oil and also find out what can cause eucalyptus poisoning.If you enjoy this article, why not also read about is flaxseed good for dogs and is gum bad for dogs here on Kidadl?Is eucalyptus plant safe for dogs?Eucalyptus is a toxic plant that has been listed as ‘very poisonous to dogs’ by the Blue Cross because of the eucalyptol it contains. The bark, as well as the leaves of eucalyptus, can cause poisoning in dogs. Eucalyptus contains eucalyptol, cyanogenic glycoside, and eucalyptus oil, which are all toxic. Dogs aren’t allergic to eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptol can cause kidney or liver damage. The eucalyptus essential oil can also lead to contact dermatitis. If your dog consumes the eucalyptus plant, it may experience excessive salivation, depression, weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting. The same symptoms can also be seen in cats and humans if they ingest it, sp pets and children must be kept away from a eucalyptus plant.Essential oils are natural plant extracts, such as eucalyptus oil, and are utilized for aromatherapy. These oils provide benefits to animals only in small quantities and small concentrations. Excessive and prolonged exposure to essential oils such as eucalyptus oils can cause problems for the health of dogs. However, if you are careful enough and keep in mind the appropriate amount that is harmless to use, your dog can reap the benefits of eucalyptus oil too. Dogs are also able to smell the minty, fresh, and sweet scent of eucalyptus with their nose as they have keen senses that can even help them find their way back if they get lost. The sense of smell of a dog is five times stronger than that of humans.The oil can be applied to the dog’s body on areas such as its back as it cannot taste the oil here. All essential oils are absorbed by the dog’s skin so you must make sure that you are using eucalyptus oil that has been diluted on your lovely pet.Eucalyptus oil can also be used to repel and kill any fleas in your home. You can make a DIY flea repellent at home by mixing 8 oz (236 ml) of water with 1/4 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil. This eucalyptus oil solution can be sprayed upon carpeting, toys, and pet bedding three times a week. Doing so repels and kills fleas that are in your home.Your pet can also get essential oil poisoning if the pet absorbs essential oils through its skin or ingests them with its mouth. A sniff of essential oils won’t harm a pet, but if the pet owner uses a diffuser, then the dog may ingest a toxic amount of the eucalyptus essential oil. Signs to look out for eucalyptus oil poisoning include excess salivation, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. The skin may also suffer from itching and redness. If you notice your dog experiencing such reactions, it is recommended to consult with a veterinarian.Is diluted eucalyptus oil safe for dogs?Yes, using small quantities of eucalyptus oil in diluted form is harmless to a dog, while large quantities of eucalyptus oil can be toxic for dogs. Eucalyptus plant is toxic to pets, and so is eucalyptus essential oil as it is a concentrated and purified form of the eucalyptus plant. As it is concentrated, it is more dangerous. However, diluted eucalyptus oil has antiseptic, flea control, and skin relief properties.Essential oils can provide several benefits to dogs if used in moderation. It is essential for a pet owner to be aware of the essential oil properties that they are using on their dog as the properties of the oil and the scent of the oil can cause reactions in the dog.If eucalyptus oil is applied topically, it must be applied in diluted form. A pet owner must never apply eucalyptus oil in its concentrated form as that can cause potential irritation to the skin. To make the application of oil safe for dogs, the oil must be diluted with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, almond oil, and coconut oil. Doing so according to the dilution ratio makes the eucalyptus oil safe for dogs to be applied topically. Diluting the eucalyptus oil is vital as the essential oils have a high concentration and are harmless to be used on the human body, and not on dogs. Only dilution can make the oil safe for dogs.The skin of a dog is much more sensitive than that of a human which is why essential oils must be used on dogs carefully so that their skin does not get irritated. However, eucalyptus oil has many benefits your pup can reap if you use it carefully. Eucalyptus oil can help repel parasites just like citronella oil. You can fill water in a spray bottle and add 15 drops of the oil to it. This mixture can be used on the skin of your dog to prevent tick and flea infestation, relax the dog, and heal the skin. This mixture must not be used on areas that could be easily licked by the dog. This oil also helps in soothing the skin after skin rashes, stings, or an insect bite. Eucalyptus oil can also be used in cleaning the bedding of your dog and its fresh scent can eliminate pet odor. This oil is also useful in combating bronchitis and sinus infections.What essential oils are safe to diffuse around dogs?Essential oils that are harmless to be used near dogs are bergamot, rosemary, ginger, lavender oil, chamomile, frankincense, and myrrh. You can consult with a veterinarian to be sure which oils you can use around your pet safely.Animals are capable of absorbing natural oils through the skin. If essential oils are topically used on them, they may experience certain symptoms. Symptoms can also be seen if oils are diffusing through a diffuser as they can settle on animals, get absorbed, or be ingested. Diffusing eucalyptus oil is not recommended if a dog is in the same room, and a dog must be ideally kept away from a diffuser. If you choose to provide aromatherapy to your dog, you must dilute the oil excessively so that the dog does not get any respiratory illness or irritation. Pets have a keen sense of smell, which is why they can get irritated soon if the concentration of oil is high.You must not diffuse any toxic oil in your shower as well. If your dog has easy access to the shower then it can easily smell that too and your dog could get irritated by this as well.Other oils that are dangerous for dogs are juniper, ylang-ylang, anise, clove, tea tree oil, sweet birch, thyme, pine, wintergreen, cinnamon, peppermint, and pennyroyal.If there are any signs of discomfort or irritation that your dog is showing, it is best to shift them to another room and turn off the diffuser. You must also contact your vet if the symptoms go on for a prolonged period of time or get severe.Did You Know…There are more than 700 plant species in the eucalyptus family, of which most are fragrant trees that thrive in dry, hot climates, and are indigenous to Australia.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for is eucalyptus safe for a dog then why not take a look at is lavender plant safe for dogs, or beagle facts.
You must have seen a koala bear chewing on a branch of leaves.
