Garden Trees, Shrubs & Vines
Rochelle Heath-Harris
Our pets are like our children (to most of us anyway). You wouldn’t have poison laying around in enticing packages for your kids to find, right? Well, the same goes for your pets, with the equivalent to that being growing eucalyptus in and around your home. Unfortunately, that goes for using eucalyptus essential oils and diffusers, as well.
Eucalyptus is a well loved plant with medicinal qualities that many people enjoy the smell of. For humans, it’s often used as an expectorant and to relieve congestion, and is commonly found in teas, lozenges, ointments, and essential oils, among many other products. However, it’s a plant you should never grow in a home with pets. In fact, the ASPCA lists eucalyptus as a highly toxic plant for cats, dogs, and horses, with the symptoms of a poisoning being vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and lethargy. Once you realize the danger, you’ll think twice before planting eucalyptus in your yard if you have pets.
About eucalyptus and pets
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Eucalyptus poisoning in your dog or cat can really be frightening. If the eucalyptus oil is ingested, it can cause both neurological and gastrointestinal damage. Additionally, if essential oil gets on the skin, it can lead to redness, itching, and swelling. Both the plant as well as any product with significant levels of eucalyptol are equally poisonous to pets. If you suspect or know that your fur baby has eaten eucalyptus, call your local veterinarian or animal hospital right away.
Additionally, be sure to flush any area of the skin, eyes, or mouth with water where eucalyptus could remain. Depending on how much they ingest, they will likely need further treatment, such as a gastric lavage and the use of charcoal to soak up the toxin. Keep in mind that eucalyptus is also an irritant to the respiratory passages of both cats and dogs, and should be avoided in diffusers for this reason. You can contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline for poisonous substance-related questions if necessary. If you’re looking for a good alternative to eucalyptus, there are many plants that are perfectly safe for furry companions.
