Essential Oils

Essential oils are extracted from plants and distilled for their potential uses and proclaimed health benefits. Humans use them to make their house smell better, repel mosquitos, improve sleep, boost moods, or even help nausea. For pets, they are commonly used for repelling fleas and helping with separation anxiety. The nature of the essential oils allow them to be absorbed through the skin very well.

Signs and Symptoms of Toxicity: ataxia, muscle weakness, depression, & behavior changes, In severe cases, hypothermia and collapse may occur. With oral exposure, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression can be seen.

Toxic Consumption: There is a variation with the toxicities of different oil types as well as wide range of concentrations. There has been a incline of popularity of more concentrated essential oils, some going as high as 100%. Cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters may be more sensitive with dermal exposure due to their increased risk of oral exposure via grooming. Birds are more likely to suffer respiratory affects than other animals due to their specialized respiratory system.

References:                                                                                                                      

– Trending Now: Are Essential Oils Dangerous to Pets? ASPCApro. [Internet] Retrieved from: https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/trending-now-are-essential-oils-dangerous-pets.