Essential Oils For Dogs: A Risk Not Worth Taking

If you suspect your pet is ill, it is always recommended to take them to the vet.

Essential Oils Background

For those who haven’t yet taken the deep dive into the essential oils fad, here’s a quick breakdown of what they are. Essential oil is the final extract from a plant when it is exposed to either steam distillation, cold-presses, or different organic solvents. The process of extracting essential oil from a plant basically concentrates a lot of the naturally occurring compounds in the plant into an oil that can be readily used for a variety of purposes.

Essential Oils For Dogs

Essential oils are dilutions of naturally occurring compounds in plants that can be used for a variety of purposes.

Essential oils can be purified from a huge variety of plant types, and the properties of each oil will differ based on the plant that it came from, which is part of why they’re currently so popular. Different types of essential oils have been shown to have some unique properties and can help reduce bacterial and fungal growth, reduce inflammation, and possess many other useful properties. Due to their widespread use and potential as a natural curative, many people have taken to the idea that essential oils are the solution to all their problems, as well as that of their pets. Unfortunately, jumping to these conclusions can have very dangerous or even lethal consequences.

Negative & Harmful Effects of Essential Oils For Dogs

A prime example of the dangers of using essential oil treatments as an all-in-one cure is the use of Pennyroyal (Mentha Pulegium) oil. Extract of Pennyroyal has been demonstrated to have strong antibacterial properties and is effective against a number of different food-spoiling and infectious bacteria [1]. Looking at the beneficial properties of certain essential oils encourages their use as home remedies, but without full knowledge of their effects, there is the potential for disastrous outcomes. By way of example, one case study outlines how a man who used Pennyroyal oil to attempt treating his dog for fleas resulted in nausea and vomiting two hours after applying the oil, and the unfortunate death of the dog 48 hours later [2].

Essential oils and dogs

Even diluted essential oils can be harmful to dogs.

As it turns out, despite the beneficial antimicrobial properties that Pennyroyal possesses, it also acts as a liver toxin and is extremely harmful as an essential oil for dogs as well as people [3]. While Pennyroyal oil is an extreme example, it highlights the risks of unknown side-effects of essential oil treatments. While there are a number of other essential oils that demonstrate antimicrobial properties without being as toxic as Pennyroyal, using essential oils as a topical treatment for skin conditions, fleas, etc. can still be problematic simply because of their concentration. Without dilution to a proper dosage, tea tree oil has been shown to cause depression, lethargy, and muscular spasming in dogs and cats [4].

Potential Uses of Essential Oils For Dogs

Essential oils are very complex, and it’s difficult to predict every effect they may have when used as treatments. However, if you feel absolutely compelled to use essential oils on your dog, it’s probably safest to use essential oils as preventative care rather than as a treatment for a pre-existing condition. In a study assessing the ability of different essential oils to prevent tick infestations in dogs, it was found that a suspension of water and 2.5% turmeric oil was able to reduce the attachment of ticks to the legs and belly and of dogs by almost 60%,[5]. It’s important to note that the essential oil solution was sprayed over the dog’s fur and was also dramatically diluted (2.5% turmeric oil instead of 100%).

essential oil on dog for ticks Essential Oils For Dogs

Tumeric oil being used on a dog’s neck.

While the example given demonstrates a potentially beneficial use of turmeric oil as a tick repellent, it’s important to realize that even using essential oils as preventative care measures are not risk-free. Even if you can be sure that your essential oil of choice is not toxic and won’t irritate your dog because it is diluted, you might inadvertently introduce an infection. This could happen due to the increased moisture in your dog’s coat allowing for overgrowth of bacteria or fungi unless the essential oil you’re using has very strong antimicrobial properties. If you’re absolutely resolved to use essential oils on your dog, make sure you get your vet’s advice and inform them of exactly how you plan to use it.

Why Treatment is Best Left for Professionals

When your dog is sick, despite the hassle and cost of going to a vet, it is undoubtedly the safest option. Taking treatment into your own hands using home remedies such as essential oils is not only dangerous for the reasons already mentioned, but also because even if your treatment doesn’t directly negatively impact your dog’s health, it can delay getting proper treatment until their condition deteriorates. The reality is that the average pet owner can’t do the type of thorough, scientific research necessary to fully confirm the safety of using an essential oil; and even if they could, there’s no guarantee that there have been sufficient studies done in the first place.

Diagnostic canine test

A DNA Sequencing-based test.

While it’s easy to take some internet magazine article and use it as a source of diagnostic information, it’s much harder to verify that they’re correct; and you don’t want your dog to suffer the consequences. New diagnostic technologies like the MiDOG test are becoming more mainstream and vets are in a better position to look after your pet’s wellbeing than ever before. The diagnostic power of DNA sequencing-based tests like the MiDOG test allows vets to specifically identify and target the pathogens causing the infection and can dramatically increase the odds of successful treatment. If your dog is suffering from an infection, don’t take a chance on an essential oil home remedy. Ask your vet about the MiDOG test today.

References:

1. Silva N;Alves S;Gonçalves A;Amaral JS;Poeta P; “Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from Mediterranean Aromatic Plants against Several Foodborne and Spoilage Bacteria.” Food Science and Technology International = Ciencia y Tecnologia De Los Alimentos Internacional, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23444311/.

2. WE;, Sudekum M;Poppenga RH;Raju N;Braselton. “Pennyroyal Oil Toxicosis in a Dog.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1568929/.

3. “Pennyroyal Oil.” LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 28 Mar. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548673/.

4. MR;, Khan SA;McLean MK;Slater. “Concentrated Tea Tree Oil Toxicosis in Dogs and Cats: 443 Cases (2002-2012).” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24344857/.

5. R;, Goode P;Ellse L;Wall. “Preventing Tick Attachment to Dogs Using Essential Oils.” Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29606618/.


Categories: Dogs, Pet Parents, Skin Health, Veterinary Dermatology

animal diagnostics

Validated by Veterinarians

“Clients expect their veterinarians to stay up to date on all matters that affect the health and well being of their non-human family members. The current technique that we have used to determine the presence and antibiotic sensitivity of organisms causing disease in our pets is over a century old.

With the emergence of dangerous antibacterial resistance, it is critical that veterinarians are able to offer laser focused diagnostics and treatment. MiDog enables us to offer care that exceeds the typical standard of care.”

Bernadine Cruz, DVM, Laguna Hills Animal Hospital Laguna Woods, CA

“I love the absolute abundance and comparing the fungal with bacterial infection. I do not worry as much about getting a false negative urinary infection reading as I do with traditional urine cultures. Several times the same urine would culture negative but MiDOG would detect pathogens.”

Michael Morgan, DVMQuail Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

“The MiDOG All-in-One Test is amazing, I would use it instead of culture and sensitivity.  Such rapid and detailed results, I will reach for MiDOG before culture next time!

Thank you very much MiDOG, for sharing the opportunity to try your technology.”

Martha Smith-Blackmore, DVM, President of Forensic Veterinary Investigations, LLC – Boston, MA

The MiDOG All-in-One Microbial Test is our new gold standard of pathogen identification. The results are so accurate and valuable – especially with assessing both bacterial and fungal infections with the same sample.

Thank you MiDOG!”

Kathy Wentworth, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Canine and Feline Practice – PetPoint Medical Center, Irvine, CA

“The MiDOG staff was extremely helpful and supportive.”

Cathy Curtis, DVM – London, UK

“I have had great results using the MiDOG® Test. Compared to traditional culture tests, I am better able to target the treatment for dogs because the MiDOG® Test is so sensitive that it identifies all pathogens including bacteria and fungi, as well as antibiotic sensitivity.

The cost and turnaround time are about the same as a culture test, but I get much more data. The test has great performance and I believe the NGS technology will be a game changer for veterinarians treating dogs with lesions or other infections.”

Michael Kavanagh, DVM, Practice owner – Saddleback Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

“It’s helpful to have an NGS spectrum because it gives you a broader insight of what’s happening and what might be going on.”

Richard Harvey BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS – European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology – Head of Dermatology, Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service – Solihull, England UK

“I have been using MiDog for over 4 years now and exclusively as my test of choice for all cultures for 3 years.  It is so great to submit a culture and feel confident there will be a result when it comes back, especially for urine cultures.  The reports were intimidating at first because they contain so much information.  After the first few, I am now quickly able to glance over it and pick out the highlights.  I can then come back later and pour over all the details.  I have been extremely pleased with my patients’ results using the test as well.  I don’t envision ever going back to traditional culture and susceptibilities again.”

Brian M. Urmson, DVM, Columbiana Veterinary Associates

“As an exotic veterinarian, there are numerous tests we have to consider to check specific bacterial and fungal organisms based on the species. MiDOG eliminates the need for many of these separate samples and provides definitive results quickly to help us treat our patients more efficiently and effectively. The lab is wonderful to work with and has never rejected our samples- they even processed a lizard toe we amputated and determined the cause of skin infection.”

Dr. Melissa Giese, Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital

“MiDOG’s diagnostic approach offers the unique ability to identify pathogens that evade traditional culture and sensitivity testing. I have found that adding a molecular based testing approach in the form of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) from MiDOG to my routine diagnostic cultures can be extremely helpful in the identification and diagnosis of uncommon pathogens in veterinary medicine.”

Dr. Wayne Rosenkrantz, Animal Dermatology Clinic – Tustin

“She [Dr. Krumbeck] really did a great job of making complicated concepts accessible and demonstrating the value of your services. I’m really looking forward to working with MiDOG on my research project!”

Dr. Yaicha Peters, Animal Dermatology Clinic – San Diego

“As a proud collaborator with MiDOG, I deeply appreciate their dedication to fostering partnerships between industry and veterinary experts. Their commitment to enhancing diagnostic quality for veterinarians is commendable. In my experience, their support has been invaluable, earning them a ‘Double A+, Triple Star’ rating. Their assistance has been faultless, contributing significantly to the success of my projects and studies. I eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration.”

Dr. Richard Harvey, BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS; European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology

“We’re seeing that, if we prescribe too many antibiotics or they’re taken too frequently, animals are developing inappropriate or pathogenic strains of bacteria. We’re also seeing that our antibiotics are just not working against them anymore… It’s a good example of why we need better diagnostic testing, like MiDOG, so that we’re selecting the correct antibiotic every time our patients have an infection.”

Dr. Alissa Rexo, DVM, CVA, DACVD, Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Dermatology

“The NGS technique as offered by MiDOG is wonderful because pathogens like Melissococcus plutonius, for example, are difficult to grow and keep alive in the laboratory. A standard laboratory cannot truly examine or even properly diagnose this pathogen in bee hives at this time. But with NGS, we can reliably diagnose it.”

Dr. Joerg Mayer, Entomologist and Microbiologist at the University of Georgia

“For me, as a clinician and as a researcher, I see the immense value in the product [the All-in-One Test]. I have had great success using MiDOG clinically, including identifying Mycoplasma in a 24 year old pigeon, a Nannizziopsis spp in a ball python from a large pet distributor, Mycoplasma and Fusobacterium necrophorum co-infection in a peacock, and to identify an abnormal gut GI in a technician’s dog that tested negative for everything else (but we were able to establish what was abnormal, and work toward fixing it).”

Dr. Jeremy Rayl – Veterinarian, Block House Creek Animal Hospital, Cedar Park, Texas

“With MiDog results I not only receive a list of organisms detected in the sample, but also cell counts which allow me to target the most abundant pathogens or the most pathogenic. The identification of antimicrobial resistance genes is also helpful in selecting an appropriate antibiotic. Another benefit is that sample handling is less prone to risk of overgrowth and is stable at room temperature. Easy and informative. A great tool in our diagnostic toolbox!!”

Lauren Palmer DVM, MPH, Marine mammal Care Center Los Angeles