Can Dogs Have Tea Tree Oil? No — Toxic Even on Skin, Causes Neurological Collapse
This food is NOT safe for dogs. Keep it away from your pet.
Tea tree oil is highly toxic to dogs even in small amounts applied to the skin. It is absorbed through skin and causes severe neurological symptoms. Never use tea tree oil products on or around dogs.
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Warning Signs & Symptoms
Muscle tremors, weakness, ataxia, paralysis, hypothermia, liver damage, coma, death.
If Your Dog Ate This
Call vet or ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 immediately.
What to Avoid
all tea tree oil products — topical and ingested
Preparation & Serving
Call vet or ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 immediately. If on skin rinse thoroughly with dishwashing liquid and water. Do not induce vomiting.
Did you know?
Tea tree oil comes from Melaleuca alternifolia native to Australia where Aboriginal Australians used the crushed leaves as a traditional medicine for centuries. The oil was named tea tree in the 1770s by sailors who made a spice tea from the leaves.
Portions & nutrition
- Serving (small dog)
- never
- Serving (medium dog)
- never
- Serving (large dog)
- never
- Calories (per 100g)
- 0
- Safe frequency
- Never
Source
What You Need to Know
Tea tree oil (melaleuca oil) causes toxicity in dogs through both ingestion and skin absorption. Products marketed for pet use with low concentrations (0.1-1%) have caused toxicity. Concentrated tea tree oil applied to a dog's skin in even small amounts — such as for flea treatment — causes rapid neurological collapse. This is a life-threatening emergency.
Not sure what to do next? Read our emergency guide What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic
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