Essential Oils not good for your DOG!

Here are some essential oils that should NOT be used on your dogs and some not on humans:

• Anise / Camphor / Hyssop / Juniper* / White Thyme / Yarrow

Because of uterine stimulation or possible toxicity, avoid using these oils on dogs, especially on pregnant dogs. * The oil of Juniper berry is perfectly safe, but the Juniper wood oil is toxic to the kidneys.

• Birch / Wintergreen

Some aromatherapy formula found on websites suggest using the oils birch and wintergreen for joint pains caused by arthritis. However, dermal use of these two oils has been proven to be toxic as they contain high levels of methyl salicylate. Ingestion can cause severe poisoning and death. Toxicity symptoms include vomiting due to severe stomach upset and ulcers. Wintergreen toxicity can also lead to renal and liver failure.

• Sweet Birch

Toxicity symptoms include severe gastrointestinal ulcers, kidney failure, seizures, and death.

• Cassia / Clove leaf and bud

These oils can cause dermal irritation and possibly toxicity to both people and pets.

• Cinnamon

Toxicity symptoms include low blood sugar, liver disease, vomiting, diarrhea, and fluctuations in heart rate.

• Citronella

Toxic on dogs if used as a large amount. Affects the nervous system. Best to stay away from the citronella oil all together. Be careful for some shampoos and dog soaps contain this.

• Citrus

Toxicity symptoms include skin irritation, agitation or lethargy, vomiting, tremors, and seizures.

• Horseradish / Mustard / Tansy

Due to the pungent properties of these oils, they are considered to be hazardous and may cause severe dermal irritation.

• Pennyroyal

Although this oil is effective in repelling fleas, it is also highly toxic to the kidneys and the nervous system. It is also a known abortifacient. Avoid using this oild on pets and yourself. Toxicity symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea—often bloody—as a result of liver failure. You may notice your dog acting lethargic. Seek immediate veterinary care as Pennyroyal toxicity can cause death in dogs.

• Pine

Skin or stomach irritation, vomiting (possibly bloody), drooling, weakness, loss of coordination, damage to the central nervous system, and potential renal and liver effects.

• Rue

This oil is a terrible photosensitizer.

• Tea Tree

Toxicity symptoms include depression, loss of coordination, paralysis of the rear legs, vomiting, low body temperature, and skin irritation.

• Wormwood

Both the herb and the oil wormwood are toxic to pets and should be avoided at all costs, even though some people suggest using wormwood for treating worm infestation. There has been reports of wormwood essential oil causing renal failure in humans. It is also a known fact that wormwood causes seizures and possesses a very high oral and dermal toxicity.

• Ylang Ylang

Toxicity symptoms include difficulty breathing, weakness, unstable walking, and vomiting.

To name a few may be unsafe oils are:

• Bitter Almond (Prunus dulcis)
• Boldo (Peumus boldus)
• Calamus (Acorus calamus)
• Camphor (Cinnamonmum camphora)
• Chenopodium (Chenopodium album)
• Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)
• Garlic (Allium sativum)
• Goosefoot (Chenopodium murale)
• Hyssop (Hyssopus sp. with the exception of Decumbens)
• Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
• Mustard (Brassica juncea)
• Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
• Red or White Thyme
• Santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus)
• Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
• Savory (Satureja)
• Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
• Terebinth (Pistacia palaestina)
• Thuja (Thuja occidentalis)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)