Although products containing low concentrations of tea tree oil are not expected to be a problem in pets, the use of pure tea tree oil directly on the skin is potentially very serious in pets and should never be used. Exposure may cause ataxia, salivation, lethargy, coma and tremor.
Concentrated Tea Tree Oil that is self diluted is especially dangerous as the dilution may not be correct. Tea Tree Oil poisoning can occur from skin exposure, oral ingestion or a combination of the two. Signs of poisoning can occur within 2-12 hours of ingestion and can include: Vomiting and drooling.
When you use tea tree oil on your dog's skin, dilute it with a lot of water. Take caution with the amount of oil used. As mentioned earlier, the recommended and safest ratio is 0.1-1% strength. At these levels, the weakened concentrate is no longer considered toxic.
Tea tree is well known for its antifungal and disinfecting properties and our new tea tree soak infusion treatment makes it easy for pet parents to take care of a variety of problems with their dog's paws.
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.
Tea tree oil when used properly in dogs can heal dry, damaged skin, kill yeast, kill fleas and scabies, and soothe the itchy skin caused by airborne allergens.
Tea tree oil is often found in varying concentrations and high concentrations should never be used on pets. As little as 7 drops of 100% oil has resulted in severe poisoning, and applications of 10-20 mls of 100% oil have resulted in poisoning and death in both dogs and cats.
If you find that your pup's paws are dry or cracked, you can use coconut oil to help soothe and heal them. Make sure to rub the coconut oil thoroughly into your dog's paws, or your dog will mistake this treatment for a snack and lick off all of the oil!
Symptoms of toxicity include elevations in liver enzymes, weakness, low body temperature, incoordination, inability to walk, hind leg paralysis, tremors, coma and death. These symptoms often appear 2-8 hours after exposure. If you suspect tea tree oil toxicity in your pet please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil with curative properties that help soothe and protect dogs' skin. When used correctly and in a diluted form on pets, tea tree oil can be very effective in treating and preventing topical bacterial and yeast/fungal infections.
It Helps with Hot Spots
Not only that, but TTO's pungent scent is typically enough to deter your pet from wanting to lick or bite their hot spots. Additionally, coconut oil used in the below recipe hydrates dry skin so it's likely to ease discomfort and itching.
Chamomile, calendula, and green tea have properties that soothe and cool irritated skin and reduce inflammation, making them great additions in a dog bath for itchy skin. These soaks are best for dogs who have hot, itchy patches of skin that are at risk of getting rubbed raw.
Its popularity has resulted in some veterinary skin care products that contain small amounts of tea tree oil. In small concentrations (. 1% to 1%), tea tree oil is tolerated and safe for cats and dogs.
Fortunately, tea tree oil will help you prevent those pesky critters from pestering your pooch. Fleas strongly dislike the smell of tea tree, and will usually stay away from your dog if the smell is present. Something to consider, however, is that your dog's nose is also very sensitive.
Cracked Dog Paw Pad Treatment and Home Remedies
Coconut oil can help soothe cracked dog paws, Dimock says, as can Vitamin E oil. For an "over-the-counter" topical paw balm solution, Dimock recommends Bag Balm. Apply a thin layer to the affected areas and make sure your dog does not lick the product off.
In a small spray bottle, mix 1 part organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water. Spray directly onto your dog's paws, being careful not to get any in their eyes or nose (since it is an acid). You can spray this solution once a day until you see improvement in how often they are licking their paws.
If your dog won't wear booties, try applying Vaseline or a paw balm to their paws. These are good salt barriers. Don't forget to wipe down their paws after being outdoors, even after short walks.
Mix 1 gallon of warm water, 2-4 cups of white vinegar, and 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide in a bucket. Place one of your dog's paws into the solution and let it soak for about 30 seconds. Remove his paw from the bucket but don't rinse it. Use a towel to gently pat his paw dry.
You can use coconut oil to condition both your dog's skin and coat. Apply to your dog's skin no more than once a week and leave it to absorb for a few minutes before rinsing your dog off. If your dog is still oily, you can follow this up with a dog shampoo.
Apply warm olive oil and massage onto the footpads to soften, soothe and heal your pet's paws. Treat dry skin and maintain a shiny coat. Treat your pet's dry, itchy flaky skin from the inside out with olive oil.
When diluted and used safely, tea tree oil can kill and repel fleas. But it is among the herbal treatments listed as “especially risky” in the Merck Veterinary Manual. This is because tea tree oil is difficult to dilute properly in home kitchens.
We recommend 4% chlorhexidine, 2% benzoyl peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite (bleach) shampoos to treat bacterial skin infections. Treatments should be repeated initially 2-3 times weekly. Antibacterial conditioning sprays can be used be sprayed on the skin between bathing days.
Apply a non-stinging antiseptic solution to the area. Chlorhexidine is cheap, extremely effective, and readily available. A 2% solution limits tissue irritation, but 4% solutions are also commonly used. Povidone-iodine solution is another good option.