If you are thinking about putting tea tree oil on your canine companion, you need to start looking for an alternative. Even though it has been tried on dogs to treat skin issues such as fungal infections or hot spots, the use of tea tree oil, even when diluted, should be approached with extreme caution because it is toxic to pets.

The only concentration of tea tree oil that is considered acceptable for canines is between 0.01% and 1%, although using the incorrect dilution ratio can be dangerous. Before administering tea tree oil to your animal companion, you should be aware of the potential dangers posed by its harmful effects.

What Exactly Is Tea Tree Oil?

Melaleuca oil, which is another name for tea tree oil, is produced by distilling the leaves and branch tips of the Australian tea tree using steam.  In addition to the US and Portugal, Spain is another country where you may find this tree.

What is it usually used for?

Tea tree oil is a volatile essential oil frequently used to treat skin conditions such as acne, bug bites, yeast infections, and blisters. It is also commonly used to manufacture homemade cleaning solutions that you can also spray on pets. But, because of its exceptionally high level of toxicity, this tea tree oil must be substantially diluted before being used on animals, especially dogs.

Terpene hydrocarbons are tea tree oil's building blocks, including monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects of tea tree oil are all due to the presence of these active compounds. Terpenes, on the other hand, are somewhat of a double-edged sword since, if taken incorrectly, they may make dogs sick.

Why is it NOT safe?

A high amount of concentrated tea tree oil is not safe because your pet may experience tea tree poisoning that includes the following symptoms:

• Itchy skin
• Low internal body temperature
• Depression, lethargy
• Paralysis or weakness
• Coma
• Involuntary muscular contractions
• Experiencing nausea, vomiting, or a significant increase in your pup's salivation

It is possible that the symptoms of tea tree oil poisoning in a dog would vary depending on the method of exposure; that is, whether the oil was rubbed into the dog's skin or taken via the mouth, the dog may display different types of symptoms. Although there are products that are OK for topical use on dogs, tea tree oil should never be given to dogs orally.

Tea Tree Oil Alternatives

There is a wide variety of naturally occurring alternatives available that are preferable for your dog. Essential oils, Vitamin E creams, Jojoba Oil, contain both antifungal and antibiotic qualities and they are some of the best alternatives of tea tree oil.

Conclusion

Natural treatments and essential oils are popular; therefore, some people want to use them on their dogs. Although many of these products can be helpful and harmless, a significant number of them also have the potential to be highly toxic. If tea tree oil is given to dogs in a concentrated form, it poses a risk of toxicity.