Eucalyptus
ToxicThe ASPCA lists eucalyptus as toxic to dogs, with eucalyptol as the toxic principle and salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and weakness as signs. Merck also lists eucalyptus among the essential oils that can induce seizures. Swallowed oil is an emergency.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Do not offer as a treat
There is no recommended treat portion for this hazardous item. If swallowed, contact a vet with the amount, time and product details. Do not induce vomiting yourself.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Reduced activity and responsiveness
- Weakness
- Poor coordination or balance
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Low body temperature
- Difficulty breathing
More about this food
Eucalyptus reaches a modern household by a lot of routes: potted plants, dried bouquets, shower bundles hung from the curtain rod, diffusers and aromatherapy oils, humidifier additives, insect-repellent sprays, and chest rubs and patches for colds. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists Eucalyptus spp. as toxic to dogs, naming the essential oil eucalyptol as the toxic principle and salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and weakness as the clinical signs.
Stop there and it reads like a stomach ache. Read Merck alongside it and the picture changes. The Merck Veterinary Manual puts eucalyptus on its list of seizure-inducing essential oils, along with birch, cedar, hyssop, pennyroyal, sage, wintergreen and wormwood. It also notes that essential oils are readily and rapidly absorbed through the GI tract, skin, lungs and mucous membranes, and that the higher the concentration, the greater the risk. So the severity here turns on one question: leaves, or oil?
A dog who chewed a few leaves typically drools heavily, vomits, has diarrhea and goes flat. A dog who licked eucalyptus oil, had it applied to his skin, or knocked over a bottle is an emergency. Merck notes signs develop within minutes to hours from all routes: vomiting, lethargy, drooling, ataxia and anorexia, escalating to tremors, hypotension, hypothermia, rear-limb paralysis, seizures, and liver or kidney injury. Inhalation alone can produce tearing, nasal discharge, coughing, wheezing and labored breathing.
Work out the route and the concentration. Was it eaten, applied to the coat, or breathed in from a diffuser? Get the product name and the percentage off the label and call your veterinarian, the ASPCA APCC at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Do not induce vomiting -- Merck specifically says emesis should not be induced after essential oil exposure because of aspiration risk. Wash oil off the coat with a mild cleanser, move the dog out of the scented room and open a window. Tremors, wobbling or a seizure means driving to an emergency clinic now. Merck's standing advice for diffusers is to keep pets out of the room and run them under 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
- He chewed on a dried eucalyptus bundle.
- Chewed leaves typically bring drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and a flat, tired dog. Clear away what is left, judge how much is missing, and call your vet. If he starts wobbling, tremoring or seizing, drive to an emergency clinic immediately.
- It was only a drop or two of eucalyptus oil. Still a problem?
- Yes. Neat oil is a completely different concentration from a leaf. Merck notes essential oils absorb rapidly through skin and mucous membranes, that risk rises with concentration, and it classifies eucalyptus as seizure-inducing. Get the product name and percentage and call your vet now.
- Can I rub a chest vapor ointment near my dog's nose?
- No. Human chest rubs concentrate eucalyptus oil with camphor and menthol, and your dog will lick whatever you apply. If he is coughing or sounds congested, skip the human products and have a veterinarian find the cause.