How to Protect Your Dog from Essential Oil Hazards
How to Protect Your Dog from Essential Oil Hazards
Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy and therapeutic treatments, but they can be hazardous to your beloved pet. Even though natural, essential oils can be dangerous for your pup if not used properly. Knowing how to safely use and store essential oils around your pup can help keep them safe and healthy. Here are some tips on how to protect your dog from essential oil hazards.
Keep Essential Oils Out of Reach
The first step in protecting your dog from essential oil hazards is to keep the oils out of reach. Essential oils should be stored in a secure container and kept in an area where your pup can’t access them. Make sure to keep all essential oils away from children as well, as they can be just as dangerous to them.
Don’t Put Essential Oils on Your Dog
Never apply essential oils directly onto your pup’s skin. Even when diluted, essential oils can cause skin irritation, and are toxic to dogs if ingested. If you want to use essential oils to help soothe your pup, use a diffuser or spray to disperse the oil in the air.
Use Essential Oils Sparingly
When using essential oils around your pup, use them sparingly. Too much essential oil in the air can cause respiratory problems for your pup. If your pup starts to show signs of distress, such as difficulty breathing or coughing, it’s best to stop using the essential oils.
Avoid Certain Essential Oils
There are some essential oils that are especially toxic to dogs, and should be avoided altogether. These include tea tree oil, wintergreen oil, eucalyptus oil, and citrus oils. If you’re not sure whether an oil is safe to use around your pup, it’s best to avoid it.
Clean Up Spills Immediately
If you do happen to spill essential oil, it’s important to clean it up immediately. Essential oils can be corrosive to your pup’s skin and can cause irritation if they come into contact with it. If your pup licks up any spilled essential oil, it can cause digestive upset.
Keep an Eye on Your Pup
When using essential oils around your pup, it’s important to keep an eye on them to make sure they’re not having any adverse reactions. If your pup starts to show signs of distress, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, or vomiting, it’s best to move them away from the essential oils and seek veterinary help.
Conclusion
Essential oils can be a great tool for aromatherapy and therapeutic treatments, but they can also be hazardous to your pup if not used properly. Knowing how to safely use and store essential oils around your pup can help keep them safe and healthy. Keeping essential oils out of reach, avoiding certain essential oils, and cleaning up spills immediately can help protect your pup from essential oil hazards.