Is Peppermint Essential Oil Safe for Dogs? (Expert's Opinion)

Essential oils are trending these days mainly because of their multi-purpose uses. Essential oils are being used for anything and everything these days.

Essential oils are natural extracts of plants and are full of benefits for different issues related to skin, hair, and health conditions. Essential oils are highly concentrated.

If you keep essential oils in your home and have a dog as well then you need to read this article. There has always been a concern regarding the use of essential oils on pets like dogs. This article has made an attempt to shed some light on this concern. Peppermint essential oil is widely used for many different purposes. And many questions are asked by pet lovers whether peppermint essential oil is safe for their dogs or not.

Read below to find out the answer to all your questions.

Is Peppermint Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?

The answer is NO.

Essential oils are diffused in many homes as a part of aromatherapy. Liquid potpourris are also used as air fresheners in many houses. These liquid potpourris include essential oils and thus using them around your pets can harm them. Liquid potpourri is nontoxic for humans but the same cannot be said for dogs. Its ingestion as well as skin exposure both can prove to be highly toxic to your pets resulting in issues like weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, etc.

Essential Oils Toxic To Dogs

Peppermint oil is considered to be toxic for dogs and other pets as well. There might be mild to severe side effects of the use of peppermint oil on dogs. Some of the minor symptoms include irritation, skin reactions, diarrhea, and discomfort. Some of the serious issues include liver failure, vomiting, and threat to life (1).

There have been many cases where pets suffer because of peppermint oil diffusion around their surroundings. If you grow a peppermint plant in your garden and you have a dog, it is bad for your dog especially if they have a habit of eating leaves.

Is Peppermint Oil Safe For Dogs With Fleas Or Allergies?

Many pet parents use peppermint oil for flea treatment of their dogs. But it is not safe to use peppermint oil for dogs with fleas. The peppermint oil has a strong scent to it that repels insects. Dogs have a stronger sense of smell and thus there are chances that the smell of peppermint oil might overwhelm them or irritate them.

Usually, this strong scent irritates your dog, and to get rid of the scent the dogs start licking their skin. This way the dogs will consume peppermint oil, and peppermint oil should not be ingested as it is toxic and can harm the pet. So, peppermint oil is not a good option to use for dogs with fleas (2).

Peppermint oil should not be used for dogs suffering from allergies as because of its high concentration it can cause skin irritation to dogs. Dogs might end up scratching themselves and breaking the skin which can lead to further infection.

Though, this does not mean that peppermint oil cannot be used for flea treatment. Diluted peppermint essential oil can be used for this purpose. It is advisable to consult a vet and find out the products that contain peppermint that can be used for dogs' flea and allergy treatment.

Must Read:How to Use Eucalyptus Oil for Dogs<

What Should Be Done If Your Dog/Pet Comes Into Contact With Peppermint Oil?

There are chances that some pets might not show any symptoms or might not be affected because of peppermint oil. The impact of peppermint oil on dogs is vague. But in some cases, there are chances that the dog might reflect upon some symptoms after in contact with peppermint oil.

In such cases, look for signs of essential oil poisoning like weakness, vomiting, drooling, or any other serious illness (3). If you find these symptoms of essential oil poisoning then immediately consult the vet.

The vet will undertake the necessary checks to identify the level to which the peppermint oil has impacted your dog. Blood testing might also be needed to find out if any internal organs are damaged or not.

What Are The Signs Of Essential Oil Poisoning In Dogs?

Essential oil poisoning can be witnessed in dogs when the oil is absorbed by the skin or is ingested by the dogs. In such situation loom for the following symptoms in your dog:

Vomiting

Vomiting is the natural way to expel toxins from the body. Dogs tend to vomit after consuming any toxic food. So, if you witness your dog vomiting, immediately visit the vet and help the dog to remove the toxin from their body.

Diarrhoea

This is another common symptom seen in dogs when consumed toxic products. Dogs usually do not respond well to essential oils resulting in loose stool. If vomiting and diarrhoea continues for a longer period of time in dogs then they can severely feel dehydrated. If this is the situation then immediately take your dog to emergency vet services.

Drooling

Ingestion of toxic products in dogs can result in excess production of saliva which leads to drooling in dogs. If you start to see foaming around the mouth along with drooling you need to immediately visit a vet.

Difficulty In Breathing

The smell of essential oil is loved by humans but this is not the case with dogs. The scent of peppermint oil and some other essential oils is very strong for dogs which they cannot tolerate and thus this may impact the normal breathing of dogs.

Dogs can also start wheezing. Ingestion of essential oils can impact the respiratory and nervous system of dogs. Dogs that suffer with any respiratory issues should never be exposed to essential oils in any manner.

Laziness

Many dogs reflect symptoms like lethargies when they are exposed to essential oils. Essential oils impact their body in many different manners and in order to heal from this discomfort, dogs tend to sleep more. Also, other symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea makes the dog weak and lethargic.

Redness

Dogs that are exposed to essential oils may show symptoms like skin irritation and redness around their face. Some dogs can also reflect symptoms like swollen faces.

Some essential oils can also prove to be fatal to dogs and pets.

If you witness any of the above symptoms in your dogs, then immediately rush to emergency vet services to seek help.

Potential Risk Of Essential Oil Use

• Toxicosis
• Skin Irritation
• GI Issues
• Behavioral Changes

The commonly used treatment includes IV fluids that are used with an aim to keep the dog hydrated. It also helps in releasing toxins from the dog's body. In some cases vets may try to induce vomiting to release toxins. You don't try to do this at home, inducing vomiting in pets needs medical supervision or it can further worsen the situation.

Is It Safe To Diffuse Peppermint Oil Near Dogs?

No.

Diffusing essential oils are one of the major causes of dogs getting sick. When essential oils are diffused it releases tiny droplets of oil into the air. If pets breathe these oils then it can cause an issue with their respiratory system. These tiny droplets can also stick to your pet's fur and when they lick themselves they can ingest peppermint oil which is toxic for consumption.

What Are The Potential Benefits Of Using Peppermint Oil For Dogs?

Though there is a long debate on the safety of peppermint oil for dogs. Some say that peppermint oil is beneficial to be used for pets though it needs to be diluted with a carrier oil before its topical application.

Carrier Oil like coconut oil should be used to dilute peppermint oil and reduce its concentration. This will reduce the chances of skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Keep in mind that essential oils should not be ingested.

You can also consult your vet regarding the different peppermint oil products that can be used for your pets to offer them relief from allergies.

If you consider all the above points then you can use peppermint oil for topical application on your pets.

Following are some of the benefits of diluted essential oils for dogs:

Relief From Fleas And Ticks

This is one of the most common reasons behind the use of peppermint oil for dogs. Peppermint flea spray can be used to treat fleas and ticks in dogs. However, it has been seen that the use of peppermint oil can worsen the situation. It is advisable to consult the vet and opt for other medications to get relief from fleas and ticks. Or to find out different peppermint oil products that can be used for fleas and ticks.

Proper precautionary measures need to be undertaken before using essential oils.

You can try the following DIY recipe to offer your dog relief from fleas and ticks:

Ingredients

• 12 tablespoons of grapeseed oil
• 1 tablespoon of peppermint essential oil
• Spray bottle

Directions

• Add the above oils in spray bottle and shake well to mix all the ingredients
• Shake the bottle every time before use and spray on your dog's fur.

*Note: Always take a patch test by spraying on a small section of your dog’s fur. If you see any of the symptoms mentioned above, discontinue the use of spray and immediately visit the vet.

What Needs To Be Done If You Want To Use Peppermint Oil For Dogs?

If you get a go-ahead signal from your dog's vet you need to follow a few key steps before using peppermint oil for your dogs. It is important to use essential oils safely.

• The first and foremost thing is to dilute the peppermint essential oil with any carrier oil. You can also dilute it with water before its topical application on dogs.
• Make sure to keep peppermint oil, or peppermint-related products are places that are out of reach of your dogs as direct contact with peppermint can have negative impacts on your dogs.
• Always consult the vet first before using any peppermint-related product on your dog.
• Avoid using peppermint oil around your dog's sensitive areas like eyes, nose, or genitals.
• Essential oils are not considered safe for your pup, so avoid using peppermint oil on puppies, pregnant dogs, or dogs that are very sick.
• If your dog reflects any symptoms immediately stop the use of essential oil and consult the vet.
• Avoid using an excess of peppermint oil on your dogs.
• You need to determine how much peppermint oil is safe for dogs.
• Apply peppermint oil only once a day on your dog.

Final Thoughts

Peppermint oil has been shown to have some health benefits for humans. Peppermint oil is one of the popular essential oils but is it safe for the treatment of your dog? Peppermint is considered toxic to dogs. There is debate on the safety and use of peppermint essential oil for dogs. Peppermint oil though deemed safe for human use, its use for dogs is highly questioned.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and they can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and other minor to severe symptoms in dogs. In order to make peppermint essential oil relatively safe for your dogs it is advisable to dilute it with a carrier oil. Avoid using peppermint essential oils directly on an open cut or wound of your dog.