DoTERRA Allergies in Dogs

Essential oils are becoming a very popular therapy in human and animal health. They are a natural type of remedy that can help with a number of issues. Many people are turning to these oils to avoid over medicating their dogs, with much success. However, there are dogs that are more sensitive than others to the oils. Some dogs can have a reaction to the oils when applied to the fur or can have an overall systemic response. When the correct doTERRA oils are used, if your dog has a negative response, it should not be life threatening.

Recovery goes smoothly once the oil is no longer used and any remnants of it are removed from your dog and his environment. Be cautious to use only pet safe oils on your dog; some oils are not very good for dogs and can lead to a more severe reaction. It is extremely important that you research the best way to administer essential oils for your dog, otherwise he may not respond with the desired positive effect and have serious negative side effects instead.

doTERRA is a brand of essential oil used to support mental and physical health of dogs and animals. While essential oils can be extremely beneficial, they do cause allergic responses in some dogs. If you believe your dog is one of them, contact your veterinarian.

Symptoms of doTERRA allergies in dogs may vary from case to case and even from oil to oil. Symptoms of allergies may include:

• Runny nose
• Runny eyes
• Itchy skin
• Dry, flaky skin
• Poor skin conditions
• Poor hair coat
• Hair loss
• Bumps/rash 
• Hives
• Obsessive licking/chewing of feet
• Inflamed, red paw pads
• Respiratory issues

Types

doTERRA produces a variety of pure essential oils for use in people and animals. Essential oils are the naturally occurring aromatic qualities of plants. Essential oils can be used as part of aromatherapy to benefit mental and bodily health. Different oils have different properties and can be used for a wide range of physical and emotional issues.

While essential oils have many beneficial applications, they can cause some negative side effects as well. Some dogs can be sensitive to the oil when applied directly to their fur. They can also be sensitive to it when it is applied to their environment. Just like people can be sensitive to certain scents resulting in a stuffy nose, for example, dogs can react similarly. While the properties of the essential oils are all natural, the fragrance can be too overwhelming or the mixture can be too potent and can lead to a skin reaction.

A physical examination will allow the veterinarian to take note of all your dog’s symptoms. If your dog has watery eyes, the veterinarian may perform fluorescein staining to check for a scratch on the eye that could possibly cause the watering. If your dog’s skin is irritated, the veterinarian may take a skin scraping to check for parasites or bacteria, yeast or fungi. 

Blood work may be performed if she suspects a cause other than the doTERRA oil or to ensure the oil is not being absorbed by the body and your dog having a serious reaction to it internally. The blood work will indicate how the internal organs are functioning and will rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel will provide the veterinarian with needed information for proper assessment.  If your veterinarian feels it is necessary, she may also perform a urinalysis for further evaluation of kidney function. 

Bicom testing, intradermal testing, and serum allergy investigation may all be considered in the diagnosis. This will be determined by the severity of the allergy and the expense of the testing, as some of the diagnostic methods are more costly than others, making them less viable to some pet owners.

If your dog is experiencing respiratory issues, you need to get him to the veterinarian immediately. She will put him on oxygen support either by flow by, placed in an oxygen cage, or in extremely severe cases, he may need to be intubated and kept on oxygen via intubation until he stabilizes. 

The symptoms of doTERRA allergies your dog develops will determine his course of treatment. If your dog has a skin reaction, your veterinarian may bathe him with a mild soap or dish detergent to remove as much of the oil from his skin as possible. While some of the oil will already have been absorbed, it will remove what is left on the fur and skin. 

If your dog is suffering a runny nose, eyes, or something similar, your veterinarian may again recommend a bath. This will remove as much of the remaining aromatic fragrance as possible. If your home smells strongly of the oil, you may need to air it out as much as possible to remove any lingering scent. Dogs have a sense of smell much stronger than humans so even if you do not smell it, your dog still may.

If your dog is very itchy or has developed hives, the veterinarian may administer an antihistamine to help with these symptoms. You may also have to put a cone on your dog to keep him from scratching or licking certain areas. While you may have sympathy for him and you do not want to do this, it will be very beneficial for him and he will recover much quicker with the cone in place.

If your dog is having a skin related reaction, once your dog’s system absorbs and rids him of the doTERRA oil, the reaction should fade given time. If your dog’s senses are overreacting, once the scent is out of his environment and off his body completely, his body should stop overreacting.

If you are interested in using doTERRA on your dog, discuss it with your veterinarian or with someone very experienced in the use of essential oils. Many doTERRA products can be beneficial for your dog’s mental and physical health. If you worry the oil may be too strong, you can dilute it in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil; just make sure your dog is not allergic to the carrier oil you are using first. 

Overall, doTERRA should not cause a serious or life threatening allergic response in your dog if you use an appropriate one. However, if you use the oil and you are concerned about your dog’s reaction, be sure to take him to a veterinarian sooner rather than later. Your dog may have a more severe allergy than most and may need veterinarian care. There are some oils unsafe for certain pet species, so be sure to do your research on the oils before choosing one for your dog.