BEWARE of these Natural Oils!

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

Thanks for the information. We have had quite a flea problem this summer and I have been using Vet's Best Hot Spot Spray http://www.vetsbest.com/pdf/8ozHotSp...3165810007.pdf thinking it was a safe spray to help sooth Buster's itching. I just researched Aloe Vera and it is toxic too!

I think this pertains to ingestion of the aloe vera plant...need to look into it when I have more time. As long as Buster is not licking himself after being sprayed, he should be fine.
Aloe Vera Plant and Dogs - Medicine Plant, True Aloe Toxic to Dogs and Cats

Poisonous to: Cats, Dogs
Level of toxicity: Generally mild to moderate
Common signs to watch for:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Depression
Anorexia
Changes in urine color
Tremors (rare)
Aloe vera, which is from the Aloaceae family, is a common houseplant. Aloes contain anthraquinone glycosides which are purgatives (medications that encourage bowel movements). When ingested, these glycosides are metabolized by intestinal bacteria forming compounds that increase mucus production and water in the colon. This can result in vomiting and diarrhea. Other clinical signs seen with aloe vera ingestion include depression, anorexia, changes in urine color, and rarely, tremors.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Citrus oil and Aloe are common ingredients in shampoos for pets and humans. I think some clarification is needed, otherwise every single grooming product on the market is going to be deemed toxic.

Adverse reaction from Citrus Oil is very rare, more common in cats & Aloe seems to be harmful if ingesting the plant itself...Tee tree Oil seems to be toxic in pure oil form (not diluted) & if ingested.

I am just learning, so any input or correction is much appreciated!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Adverse reaction from Citrus Oil is very rare, more common in cats & Aloe seems to be harmful if ingesting the plant itself...Tee tree Oil seems to be toxic in pure oil form (not diluted) & if ingested.

I am just learning, so any input or correction is much appreciated!

It is a complicated and confusing subject relative for both humans and pets, especially when there are so many different forms of substances, some dangerous and some not -- or dangerous when used in combination with other substances. Ingestion is probably never good (note to Max: stop licking the soapy water in the bath! ), but skin absorption is concerning too. I agree with you that a liver compromised dog needs special consideration.

I thought worrying about dog food was bad enough .

[107barney]

In general, dogs are very sensitive to essential oils. Thanks for the reminder.

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

I think this pertains to ingestion of the aloe vera plant...need to look into it when I have more time. As long as Buster is not licking himself after being sprayed, he should be fine.
Aloe Vera Plant and Dogs - Medicine Plant, True Aloe Toxic to Dogs and Cats

That is what I was thinking. It had not been a month since his last Frontline Plus application when he started scratching and biting at himself so much he (and I) could not sleep. I wanted to try something to help him because he was chewing so much he was creating raw spots. I was putting it on a couple times a day and he was still chewing at himself at the time. I only used it for a few days as he was so miserable I went to the vet and got a cortisone creme rinse and spray.
Your post just made me realize even when we think we are giving them something less harmful we could be unaware of the dangers, especially with smaller dogs. I thank you and Buster thanks you.

[lynzy420]

SOOOOO, the response you received pissed me off big time...first of all it is filled with inaccuracies, second of all the regulation of dog products as a whole is a big fat 0 as far as I am concerned....tea tree oil is dangerous to dogs and while I think that theres probably less than a drop in the whole tube because It's a big fat marketing ploy, WHY WOULD I CHANCE IT???...anyway what really riled me up and has me seething....

The part that says the company is run by animal advocates...REALLY ARSEFACE? A company run by animal advocates that DOES TESTING ON ANIMALS?????????? REALLY??????? This company in my not so humble opinion should be ASHAMED OF WHAT THEY DO....I do NOT SUPPORT ANY COMPANY WHOSE TESTING IS DONE ON ANIMALS, LET ALONE A COMPANY THAT PRODUCES ANIMAL PRODUCTS...OMG it is incredulous in 2012 to read such a rediculous response....

[Wylie's Mom]

Thanks for posting - I added this thread to the Library .

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by lynzy420

SOOOOO, the response you received pissed me off big time...first of all it is filled with inaccuracies, second of all the regulation of dog products as a whole is a big fat 0 as far as I am concerned....tea tree oil is dangerous to dogs and while I think that theres probably less than a drop in the whole tube because It's a big fat marketing ploy, WHY WOULD I CHANCE IT???...anyway what really riled me up and has me seething....

The part that says the company is run by animal advocates...REALLY ARSEFACE? A company run by animal advocates that DOES TESTING ON ANIMALS?????????? REALLY??????? This company in my not so humble opinion should be ASHAMED OF WHAT THEY DO....I do NOT SUPPORT ANY COMPANY WHOSE TESTING IS DONE ON ANIMALS, LET ALONE A COMPANY THAT PRODUCES ANIMAL PRODUCTS...OMG it is incredulous in 2012 to read such a rediculous response....

I don't understand what your upset about, testing on animals? Let’s look at this way; if the company doesn't test their product before marketing, you are testing the product on your pet, without knowing what signs to look for. We shouldn't read the words "animal testing" and be alarmed, we should be against inhumane animal testing. The company probably supplied the product to pet owners and asked them to see if their dogs had any problem with it. I’m upset that the company that made Greenies didn’t test them before offering them for sell, they found out too late that their first product caused intestinal obstruction in many dogs. Many pet dogs died because of this. Had the product been tested with attentive observers, they could have caught the problem before they resulted in death.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I don't understand what your upset about, testing on animals? Let’s look at this way; if the company doesn't test their product before marketing, you are testing the product on your pet, without knowing what signs to look for. We shouldn't read the words "animal testing" and be alarmed, we should be against inhumane animal testing. The company probably supplied the product to pet owners and asked them to see if their dogs had any problem with it. I’m upset that the company that made Greenies didn’t test them before offering them for sell, they found out too late that their first product caused intestinal obstruction in many dogs. Many pet dogs died because of this. Had the product been tested with attentive observers, they could have caught the problem before they resulted in death.

Ok, not to sound stupid but wouldn't it still have caused deaths to the dogs they tested them on? To me this is a real mixed emotion topic. I don't want my dogs getting anything not tested, yet if they test them on dogs and it does cause death then a pup still had to die. Does that make sense?

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

Ok, not to sound stupid but wouldn't it still have caused deaths to the dogs they tested them on? To me this is a real mixed emotion topic. I don't want my dogs getting anything not tested, yet if they test them on dogs and it does cause death then a pup still had to die. Does that make sense?

You are making perfect sense. We had a spirited debate here last year about this in relationship to medicine and heartworm preventatives. There is no happy solution. A product's safety cannot be 100% guaranteed until it is used on dogs somewhere.

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

Ok, not to sound stupid but wouldn't it still have caused deaths to the dogs they tested them on? To me this is a real mixed emotion topic. I don't want my dogs getting anything not tested, yet if they test them on dogs and it does cause death then a pup still had to die. Does that make sense?

I am confused also. But it does make sense to have "testing" done in that the pets are under close observation for any problems. I am thinking that observation would prevent deaths. It is sad that we purchase something thinking the company who is selling knows what they are talking about and thus we trust it and then our pets are hurt.... yet I don't want testing done in such a way that anyone's or any pet is hurt.

As to the tea tree oil. I can not see any reason to have it in any product for pets.. it sounds toooo dangerous. I do understand the concept that sometimes small amounts of oil are good (the example they used is vitamin a.. could also use vitamin. d both are oil basic or fat soluble vitamins) but because our bodies sore the vitamin in our "fat" they could "build" up to a toxic level. In the case of tea tree oil it is not that the pet's body stores it that is the danger. Like someone said if a little is in lots of products what control do we have? How could we prevent toxic levels being given to our pets?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

Ok, not to sound stupid but wouldn't it still have caused deaths to the dogs they tested them on? To me this is a real mixed emotion topic. I don't want my dogs getting anything not tested, yet if they test them on dogs and it does cause death then a pup still had to die. Does that make sense?

No it wouldn't. When doing an experiment you are keenly observing the subject looking for any signs of distress. This isn't something a pet owner would do. Obviously, we don't want anyone to die, but one way or another the product is being tested, you may just not be aware that you or your pet is the subject.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

No it wouldn't. When doing an experiment you are keenly observing the subject looking for any signs of distress. This isn't something a pet owner would do. Obviously, we don't want anyone to die, but one way or another the product is being tested, you may just not be aware that you or your pet is the subject.

Aren't those animals being tested and properly observed actually monitored awfully closely with fairly frequent "visuals & vitals" checks, quickie neuro's & such so as to catch systemic changes ASAP and vet checked daily or according to a schedule? That is something that I, as a petowner, could never do properly. As much as I hate to say it, I am very happy that my dog doesn't have to be a guinea pig for every product a company puts on the market untried, untested. Just as happy as I am that the drugs & products I use are tested before I use them on myself or my family.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Aren't those animals being tested and properly observed actually monitored awfully closely with fairly frequent "visuals & vitals" checks, quickie neuro's & such so as to catch systemic changes ASAP and vet checked daily or according to a schedule? That is something that I, as a petowner, could never do properly. As much as I hate to say it, I am very happy that my dog doesn't have to be a guinea pig for every product a company puts on the market untried, untested. Just as happy as I am that the drugs & products I use are tested before I use them on myself or my family.

I suppose it depends on what's being tested. There are certain things that could be tested in the home environment if the owners were properly informed and they were monitored also by trained professionals. Other things would have to be tested more in a lab environment. I know some people are against laboratory testing, but I believe these can be designed to be humane.

[lynzy420]

I will only reiterate I do NOT condone testing on animals. This is 2012 and mechanical/computer similators and good old fashion laboratory testing is possible. There are enough ingredients and NATURAL ingredients out there that they can safely use and test...they don't have to use animals to test.

Have you seen what these animals go through that are used in testing? Honestly, plug in "laboratory animals" in youtube and tell me its ok.

Oh btw I am not an extremist or Peta like personality...I simply am against using animals, defenseless animals, against their will being used in a laboratory.