Over the years we’ve seen lots of dog “safe” shampoos and treatments containing Tea Tree oil.
Yes, Tea Tree oil is a fantastic oil for us humans, it's known for its bacterial and fungi killing properties, and can be used for a whole host of cosmetic and medical purposes, such as:
- Minor cuts
- Burns
- Acne
- Athletes foot
- Fungal nail infections
- Yeast infections
But is it safe to be used on or around our dogs…..NO!!!
Tea Tree oil is highly toxic to dogs. A concentration as low as 1-2% of 100% Tea Tree can cause toxicity poisoning. The signs of this are:
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of coordination
- Vomiting
- Drop in body temperature
- Drooling
- Collapsing
- Depression
- Skin rashes
- Seizures
- Pneumonia (from inhalation)
- Death
If any manufacturer of dog products claims that the concentration of Tea Tree oil in their products is so low that it won’t cause toxicity poisoning in our dogs, then you have to ask yourself..is it then strong enough to do its job? And if not, then what's the point of it?
There are other oils on the market that can be used as great substitutes for Tea Tree oil which are deemed safe to use on or around dogs:
- Lavender
- Frankincense
- Niaouli
There is no need to take the risk, just because some well known companies claim it's safe, doesn’t mean it is. After all look at some of the other ingredients they put in their supposedly dog safe products:
- SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate), known to cause skin irritation and links to organ system toxicity
- Cocamide DEA or MEA, a foaming agent with links to organ system toxicity and cancer
- Fragrance, an added scent or most likely lots of added ingredients to make a scent which is linked to allergies and immune issues
- Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), A LOT of companies will use this! Has links to organ system toxicity and cancer
These are only to name a few, and we will go into more detail on these and more in the future. Get to know the ingredients and make better informed decisions on what ingredients are safe and what aren't.
