Do dogs like the smell of eucalyptus? As much as we humans love to use eucalyptus-based products like ointments, creams, and oil, it is, unfortunately, the opposite for dogs. While we do obtain a lot of positive benefits from eucalyptus products such as relaxation, treatment for dry skin, and pain reduction, their smell alone can actually be bad for your dogs.
Dogs encounter the scent most often from humans who use eucalyptus products. Some owners aren’t even aware that the beneficial thing they did for themselves can be poisonous to their pet dogs.
But why is the smell of eucalyptus bad for dogs?
What are The Effects of Eucalyptus on Dogs
Eucalyptus contains a chemical called “eucalyptol”. If humans eat eucalyptus leaves similar to how koalas eat them as part of their diet, they instantly will be poisoned. Unfortunately, eucalyptol is a gastrointestinal irritant and a neurotoxin at the same time. So, having a eucalyptus plant inside your premises is a no-no in the first place.
However, as mentioned earlier, dogs are exposed to the smell of humans who unknowingly apply eucalyptus-based ointments or creams and those who like aromatherapy. In an enclosed area such as your house, it is easy for dogs to be exposed to such a poisonous scent.
Now, it may be soothing for humans but do dogs like eucalyptus scent? It is hard to say if they like it or not. However, one thing’s for sure: eucalyptus is toxic for dogs. Whether in raw form or processed, the scent can bring more harm to your pet dogs than good.
Positive Effects
Aside from eucalyptus, some plants also contain the chemical eucalyptol. A few good examples are bay leaves, cherry laurel, rosemary, sweet basil, and more. Some of the mentioned plants can be ingredients for human food.
However, whatever the source of the eucalyptus your dogs smell, it will never bring any good to them. So, it seems there are no positive effects, to begin with.
Negative Effects
Even though there are negative things about it, do dogs hate the smell of eucalyptus? As mentioned, it is hard to determine if dogs like the smell or not. They are known to have a great sense of smell, so whether they like a certain exposure or not, they can’t just cover their nose and prevent it from entering their nostrils.
If you unknowingly bought a product containing eucalyptus and are not sure if your dogs are exposed to it, you can look for symptoms of eucalyptus poisoning. They are as follows:
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Appetite loss
- Decrease in blood pressure
- Muscle weakness
- Unusual breathing
- Seizures
- Decrease in reflexes
- Vomiting
If you’re sure that you’ve taken precautions to prevent your dog from exposure to the products you’ve purchased that contain eucalyptus, here are some hints that will tell you that your dogs still smell the scent:
- Pacing
- Rubbing its snout
- Sniffing
- Sneezing
- Pawing at its nose
- Panting
- Tucking its tail
- Spinning
What to Do If Dogs Have Contact with Eucalyptus
Is the scent of eucalyptus harmful to dogs? Based on the discussion above, we can say it is definitely harmful. So, how to prevent your dog from eucalyptus poisoning? Here are some important tips:
- Put products containing eucalyptus out of your dog’s reach, like the top shelf of the bedroom’s bathroom.
- When applying a product containing eucalyptus such as an ointment, use it in a room where your dog is not present. You can also use thick clothing to keep the spread of the scent to a minimum.
- After using diffusers, exhaust the eucalyptus smell first by opening the windows for a couple of minutes before inviting your dogs to come into the room.
In an event where the dog is experiencing eucalyptus poisoning, seek immediate medical help. The faster you move, the better chances your dog will have for recovery.
If you are the source of the eucalyptus smell, better let another person handle your dog. Or you can wipe that scent with a wet towel and wear something thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the smell of eucalyptus bother dogs?
It is hard to determine if dogs are bothered by the smell of the eucalyptus immediately. However, you can observe their behavior if there is something unusual or alarming. The hints can be sniffing consistently or pacing annoyingly.
It may seem like a gamble, but once you have observed the hints in a matter of minutes, take immediate action.
What happens if my dog smells eucalyptus?
Dogs are prone to poisoning even just by smelling the eucalyptus. This is due to the presence of eucalyptol which disturbs the gastrointestinal system and also acts as a neurotoxin. So, if a dog experienced eucalyptus poisoning, it might experience vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea, to say the least.
Can dogs be around eucalyptus?
Having a eucalyptus plant inside one’s home is not advisable. It is dangerous to both humans and dogs. Fortunately, humans can enjoy the positive side of eucalyptus because it is processed into a product such as tea bags, creams, oil, and ointment.
So, if you use such products and have dogs, make sure to be extra careful of your storage and application.
Conclusion
It is safe to conclude that eucalyptus is dangerous to dogs, even from the smell alone. If you have products containing eucalyptus, you are required to exercise extreme caution when storing them and applying them to your body.
There can be hints that will mean if your dog smells the scent, but it will be a gamble since you have to observe for a certain amount of time.
If your dog’s experience eucalyptus poisoning, the only thing you can do is get medical help as soon as possible. Do you like what you have read and want to know more? Feel free to comment down below.
