Study summary
Concentrated tea tree oil toxicosis in dogs and cats: 443 cases (2002-2012)
- Study type
- Other
- Year
- 2014
- Published in
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Summary
A retrospective review of 443 dogs and cats exposed to concentrated tea tree (melaleuca) oil. Most were exposed on the skin, and signs included depression, weakness, ataxia, tremors, and hypersalivation, with cats and small dogs at higher risk. Tea tree is not one of the repellent actives reviewed here, but the series is a landmark demonstration that concentrated essential oils poison both dogs and cats.
Key findings
Illness followed dermal or oral exposure, higher oil concentrations and smaller body size raised risk, and both species were affected.
Limitations
Retrospective poison-control data, with exposure amounts often estimated.