Essential Oils for Fleas and Ticks on Dogs: Is It Safe?

Most of us have swapped our chemical exposure in products for safer alternatives throughout the years, so it makes sense why pet parents would want to find safe or natural treatment for their pets. 

When it comes to treating fleas and ticks on dogs, many pet parents inquire about natural options, including essential oils.  

Why use a pesticide when there are natural options available? It’s a good question, but essential oils for dogs are not quite what you expect and can cause more harm than good for your pup. 

What Are Essential Oils?

Many people are surprised to discover that essential oils are still chemicals. These chemicals include complex hydrocarbons as well as other compounds that have been derived from plant material and can be used as antimicrobials, pesticides, medications, and preservatives.  

Their makeup can be chemically diverse, meaning they may include many different compounds or distilled down to only a few chemicals.  

Whether an essential oil is chemically diverse or simple will largely depend on its intended usage, type of plant, location, conditions under which the plant was grown, and how the chemical was extracted. 

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to compile good toxicology information on most of these products—and equally difficult to ensure safety when using them. This is due to the wide variation from brand to brand, product lot specificity, and vial volume. 

Many essential oils have been associated with toxicities of varying degrees and some are quite severe. 

Can You Use Essential Oils for Fleas and Ticks on Dogs?

Never use essential oils for fleas on ticks on your dog. The potential toxicity carries high risk and most veterinarians discourage their use.  

Essential oils are not carefully regulated as pharmaceutical medications and health claims are often not supported by independent, peer-reviewed medical research. 

Each essential oil typically has different compounds that can be toxic. Toxicity has been reported from topical use, oral use, and inhalation in dogs. Long-term studies are lacking, but the organs that can be most impacted include: 

• GI tract 

• Brain 

• Spinal cord 

• Heart 

• Kidneys 

• Liver 

• Skin 

Some of the compounds involved may be familiar, such as limonene, eugenol, citronellal, menthol, and methyl salicylate, among others.  

In some cases, a tiny amount is enough to result in toxicity and in other cases, larger amounts are required to cause a toxic reaction. Because potency varies between batches, there is no way to know how much has been administered to a dog. 

10 Essential Oils That Are Toxic to Dogs

Many essential oils can be toxic to dogs, but ten of the worst essential oils for dogs include: 

• Citronella oil 

• Citrus oil 

• Clove oil 

• Eucalyptus oil 

• Hyssop oil 

• Pennyroyal oil 

• Peppermint oil 

• Pine oil 

• Tea tree (melaleuca) oil 

• Wintergreen oil 

Essential Oil Toxicity in Dogs

Symptoms of an oil toxicity in dogs depends on which essential oil is involved, how much the dog comes in contact with it, its route of administration, and the dog's age, size, and health status. 

Dogs who have been exposed to an essential oil can develop a wide range of clinical signs, including:  

• Lethargy and depression 

• Skin irritation 

• Vomiting, which may contain blood 

• Diarrhea 

• Drooling 

• Pawing at the mouth 

• Difficulty breathing 

• Muscle tremors 

• Lack of coordination 

• Muscle weakness or paralysis 

• Seizures 

• Coma 

If you suspect or know your dog has been treated with essential oils, or has accidentally come in contact with such a product, contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661. 

How To Get Rid of Fleas and Ticks on Dogs

The good news is that there are many safe and effective options for preventing fleas and ticks on dogs, and your veterinarian can help you choose the best flea and tick medication for your pup. 

• Topical flea treatments (such as Bravecto) are safe and effective at clearing flea infestations quickly.

• Oral flea treatments (such as Simparica) also work well and have an advantage since humans in the household are not touching the product when they pet the dog. 

• Flea collars (such as Seresto) can work for up to eight months to control flea and tick infestations.  

Don’t forget to treat the house with an indoor flea spray when it comes to a flea infestation. Flea eggs and larvae are great at hiding in the carpet, bedding, and small cracks where they lay in wait to develop into adult fleas. 

Fleas are a major health problem and a nuisance for pet parents. Everyone wants to use the safest products for their family to control pests, but it’s important to be mindful of labels when it comes to safe and natural products.  

Always discuss flea and tick preventative options with your veterinarian to help find the best one for your pup.