In addition to treating skin and fungal infections, the benefits of tea tree oil are exponential for dogs! Read on to learn how this effective essential oil can help your fur baby.
With the growing popularity and multitude of essential oil uses for humans, it’s no wonder people are considering using them to treat similar ailments in their dogs.
Unfortunately, dogs often react to substances and chemicals differently than humans do, so it’s important to learn use oils properly. Discover some of the benefits of Tea Tree Oil and how you can use it on your dog in a safe manner.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tea Tree Oil
As tea tree oil is an ingredient in our MuttScrub products, I’ve gotten a few questions from my readers about this essential oil.
Here are some of the most recent:
What is Tea Tree Essential Oil?
Tea tree oil (also known as melaleuca oil) comes from freshly harvested leaves of melaleuca alternifolia, or the tea tree, which grows in Australia, Portugal, Spain, and Florida.
Tea tree oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, making it an effective natural treatment option for a variety of skin maladies in people, including fungal infections, acne, boils, burns, insect bites, and more.
As tea tree oil has become a popular alternative treatment for many skin conditions affecting humans, its popularity has spilled over into adding it in some veterinary skincare products.
What Are Tea Tree Oil Benefits?
Melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) has been shown to possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties in humans.
Research has shown that melaleuca also has some of these same benefits for our pups!
Is Tea Tree Oil Safe For Dogs?
Yes, it is! The toxin found in tea tree oil is metabolized by the liver, making (properly) diluted tea tree oil safe for topical use on most dogs. I would recommend doing a patch test on your pup before applying the oil in large spots.
Tea Tree Essential Oil Uses
With the growing popularity of tea tree oil over the past couple of decades, many people have found new and safe ways to use this oil in many parts of their lives, including with their animals.
Let’s look at the six best uses and benefits of tea tree oil for dogs:
1. Helps with Hot Spots
This oil’s natural anti-inflammatory properties may help ease and relieve the itchiness of hot spots in dogs. Also, its strong scent is typically enough to deter your pet from wanting to lick or bite their hot spots.
2. Natural flea and tick remedy
Can you put tea tree oil on a dog for fleas? Yep!
Not only does a diluted dose of the oil keep fleas away, but it can kill any flea that is already calling your pet home.
Dog shampoos with tea tree oil have been specifically developed for treating fleas on dogs. The products act to both repel and kill the pests without harming your pup.
3. Ear Infections and Ear Aches
Several studies have looked into using tea tree oil for animals with ear problems. A 2016 meta-review found some evidence for the effectiveness of the oil for different ear infections and aches in dogs.
4. Treatment for Ringworm Infections
Did you know that ringworm is not actually a worm, but rather a fungal infection?
For dogs, it may look like a random bald patch or scaly, dry skin in addition to the round ring-like spots that give this infection its name. Since tea tree oil has antifungal properties, it may also be able to kill ringworm fungi.
5. Improves Your Dog’s Skin And Coat
Tea tree oil shampoo for dogs is believed to provide a number of benefits such as:
- Making their coat shiny and soft
- Clearing up skin irritations, inflammation, and rashes
- Repelling insects and parasites
How to Safely Use Melaleuca Oil For Dogs
Now that you know some of the common uses of tea tree oil, here are a few tips on how to use melaleuca oil (aka tea tree oil) safely for dogs.
Oral Use
Tea tree oil is toxic to dogs when ingested and is not recommended for oral use or for topical use anywhere your dog can lick it off.
Aromatherapy Uses
Tea tree oil is safe to diffuse around dogs only IF certain conditions are met:
- Diffusing is done for a limited period of time (around 15 minutes)
- Your dog has an easy ability to leave the area and go to an area clear of diffused essential oils
- After you finished diffusing tea tree oil, you open a window to let the air clear out
Topical Uses
Using tea tree essential oil in shampoo eliminates bacteria, reduces dandruff and itchiness by restoring moisture plus balances the skin’s pH without removing any of its vital natural oils.
Always dilute tea tree oil before using it on dogs. Never apply undiluted essential oils onto your dog’s skin or fur.
Diluting tea tree essential oil with a carrier oil like cold-pressed olive oil, fractionated coconut oil, or sweet almond oil is crucial for using essential oils safely for your fur baby.
I recommend using this dilution ratio of tea tree oil for dogs:
- 2-4 drops of tea tree oil
- 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil
Apply to your dog’s skin and coat no more than twice a day. Always remember that when it comes to essential oils “less is more” – use less of it if you’re in doubt.
Tea Tree Shampoo For Dogs
Tea Tree Shampoo is beneficial for dogs because it helps with a variety of skin issues. Using a tea tree shampoo for dogs also kills fleas and helps provide a natural flea repellent.
Can I put Tea Tree Oil In My Dog’s Shampoo?
Mixing tea tree oil into your dog’s shampoo is dangerous because it is too potent of a dose AND it doesn’t blend well to evenly distribute the oil. Both of these issues can lead to tea tree oil toxicity for your dog.
Using a Tea Tree Oil Shampoo ensures that not only is the oil at a safe concentration in the shampoo, but it is also evenly distributed throughout the shampoo.
Using Tea Tree Oil For Dogs: MuttScrub Products Provide The Perfect Blend
Use melaleuca oil along with our calming MuttScrub products for a routine that soothes your dog’s skin, reduces stress, and naturally repels fleas and ticks – no diluting or mixing required since we’ve developed the perfect blend for you!
Treat your dog’s skin with pure ingredients that support overall well-being and aid the healing process. MuttScrub products are made of all-natural substances to give your dog instant relief from ailments and anxiety.
All three of our products work best when used together in the Pawsitively Soothing Itch Relief Kit For Dogs. We have several great reviews of the product over on our Facebook page…check them out!
Have you ever given tea tree oil to your dog? Were there any benefits or side effects? Let us know in the comments.
Also Check Out:
Almond Oil Benefits: How to Naturally Soothe Dog Skin Irritations
Coconut Oil For Dogs: The Amazing Benefits
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