The Truth: “Which Essential Oils Are Toxic To Dogs” Lists

Which essential oils are toxic to dogs?

If you’ve ever asked Google or searched your favorite Facebook group, you probably found a list that looked something like this...

• Wintergreen
• Sweet birch
• Citrus (d-limonene)
• Pine
• Ylang ylang
• Peppermint
• Cinnamon
• Pennyroyal
• Clove
• Eucalyptus
• Tea tree (melaleuca)
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Lavender

On the surface, these lists appear good... they list enough essential oils to seem complete and not enough to feel overwhelming. There are just right.

However, when you truly know essential oils, and how to use them with animals, these lists are misleading.

Don't get me wrong, I’m glad pet parents are asking what essential oils are bad, harmful, or toxic to their dogs.  And I'm really glad they want to keep their pets safe. But these lists can be misleading. For example...

• Any essential oil can be harmful to dogs, cats, or any animal, children, and adults if used incorrectly. The key is knowing the safety issues of the individual essential oils you use and how to use them safely, with yourself and your pets.
• The lists don’t tell you why the essential oil is harmful.  When I look at that list I know the safety concerns that put them on the list. Some are skin sensitizers, neurotoxins, and even carcinogenic. 
• The lists don't state the plant species, chemotype, or Latin name. Knowing this is key to understanding how to use an essential oil- and the oils to avoid. Thyme and eucalyptus are perfect examples. 
• These lists are inaccurate and incomplete, and give you a false sense of what’s safe and what’s not.  Most of these lists include 11-14 essential oils.  Based on an oil's chemistry, there are 28 essential oils best avoided by both people and animals, AND 20 more oils that need extra caution with animals.
• Plus, there are many essential oils that are generally safe to use, but shouldn’t be used with specific conditions like epilepsy, pregnancy, diabetes, or if your dog is having surgery.

These general lists of essential oils don't take into account HOW the essential oil is being used.

When an essential oil is diluted appropriately at 1%, most essential oils are safe for dogs. 

Here's the truth about these so-called "toxic' oils...

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium): has several safety concerns, and no reason to use in aromatherapy. 

Peppermint: Mentha x piperita is a skin sensitizer.  It is safe for animals to inhale when properly diluted and used in moderation, but best to offer for self-selection first, to make sure your fur baby is okay with it. Many are not.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) : There are 2 cinnamons, leaf and bark. Neither should not be used topically with animals. Cinnamon leaf is preferred over cinnamon bark, and can be safely inhaled when used properly and diluted appropriately. Avoid or use with caution with cats.

Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima) and Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) : Both are strong skin sensitizers and powerful analgesics and anti-inflammatories. These essential oils have almost identical chemistry. It's best to avoid or use these oils with caution. 

Pine: There are several different types of pine are available.  Scots pine (pinus sylvestris) is the most common pine oil and is safe for dogs when used appropriately. White pine (Pinus strobus) is softer and a nice option for pets. A few pines have safety issues, so know which species you're using.

Thyme: Several different chemotypes (CT) are available. Thymus vulgaris ct thymol is most common. Thyme CT linalool is less common, milder, and safer for animals.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): Contrary to public opinion, tea tree can be used safely with animals when properly diluted and used appropriately. However, there are safer alternatives.  (Learn more in my blog post Dogs, Cats, and Tea Tree Essential Oil)

Anise: There is anise seed (Pimpinella anisum) and anise star (Illicium verum). Both have safety concerns and not commonly used with animals. 

Clove (Syzygium aromaticicum): There's clove bud, clove leaf, and clove stem, and all have safety concerns. A powerful antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal, clove is safe to inhale when self-selected, diluted and used appropriately. Use caution or avoid with cats.

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) : Safe to use for inhalation. In fact, ylang ylang is very helpful for animals with anxiety who lack self-confidence.

Juniper: There are several juniper species so make sure you have the correct species. Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis) is safe to use with animals when used appropriately. 

The truth about cats and essential oils isn't as scary as you may think. Learn more about cats here.

SAFETY NOTE: If you use pre-made blends in a diffuser, make sure you know which essential oils- the Latin names- that are in the blend. If any of these harmful or "toxic" essential oils are in the blend, you can choose avoid or use it cautiously around your pets, and watch your pets for adverse reactions.

If you want to dive into the science-backed truth about which essential oils to avoid and which ones need caution, check out my video training Toxic Essential Oils for Pets and Safe Alternatives.