Tea tree oil, the oil of a plant native to Australia, is frequently used as a topical treatment for many skin and hair issues. The oil is often added to moisturizers, acne treatments, shampoos, and a variety of cleaning products and perfumes as well as treatments for skin infections. Because it is naturally derived, many assume that the oil is safe for all members of the family, including pets. But as many pet owners know, some things that are safe for us are not safe for our furry friends.

According to PetMD, 100 percent pure tea tree oil is toxic to both humans and pets if ingested. When the oil is applied to skin or fur, it is safe in small doses for pets. Products containing 0.1% to 1.0% tea tree oil are not harmful to cats or dogs.
The toxicity of tea tree oil to pets (and humans) is caused by chemicals called terpenes. Terpenes are naturally occuring and give tea tree oil its antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Unfortunately, terpenes are also toxic to cats and dogs, not just bacteria.
Symptoms of tea tree oil poisoning in pets may vary depending on the amount they have come into contact with. A safe dose applied to a pets fur may become an ingestion risk because of the animals habit of grooming itself. Symptoms typically appear between 2 and 12 hours after exposure. Lower doses cause symptoms such as drooling and vomiting in mild cases. Moderate cases may exhibit symptoms can be identified by symptoms like weakness or difficulty walking. In extreme exposure, pets may have seizures.
If your pet has been mildly exposed, washing them with dish detergent may help to remove the oils from fur and skin. If your pet experiences symptoms of poisoning from tea tree oil, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Although tea tree oil is an all natural ingredient and can help with certain skin ailments, it is important to consider the options before administering it to pets. It is perfectly normal to want to understand what goes into the treatments for our beloved furry family members, but sometimes “all natural” just isn’t the way to go. If your pet is having skin or fur problems, you should consult a veterinarian before giving any kind of treatments.

For more information on tea tree oil and its effects on household pets, see https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/ken-tudor/2014/january/tea-tree-oil-safe-pets-31282

Everyone loves dogs. This animal is friendly, cheerful, and is even often called man’s best friend. Dogs make great companions and are very helpful to humans in a number of ways, including helping to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD, being guard dogs, and leading the blind.

However, as much as our furry pals care for us, we must care for them, as well. We can keep our pets at their happiest and healthiest by doing a few simple things: keeping them clean, keeping them fed, and giving them all of the play time that they need.

Bath Time
Dogs are unlike cats in that they enjoy a nice bath.

However, how often dogs should bathe really depends on their breed.

Because dogs are known for digging holes and getting messy any way that they can, bathing them infrequently may sound counterproductive. It is actually necessary for their health as some breeds can begin to have skin problems if they are bathed too often.

Most dogs only need to be bathed twice per year. If your dog is very furry, such as a cocker spaniel, you can give him a bath every other month.

Meal Time
Everyone loves to eat, including our dogs.

Eating does for our dogs the exact same things that it does for us: it causes us to feel well taken care of, keeps our bellies full, and gives us the energy that we need to tackle the day.

Typically, however, we as humans are told to eat three meals per day.

Adult dogs don’t need three meals. Two will suffice for them – one in the morning and one in the evening.

How much should your puppy eat, though?

Just as babies need to eat throughout the day to help them to grow, so do puppies.

Any pups that are less than five months old should be eating three to four times per day.

Play Time
All work and no play makes everyone dull, including our dogs.

It is in a dog’s design to want to play with his owners, live life to the fullest, and stick his head and tongue out the window, but did you know that exercise does the same thing for Rover as it does for you?

Mental stimulation and an outlet for all of that energy are just a couple of the benefits dogs receive from physical exercise, so you want to ensure that you are giving Rover as much play time as he needs.

Pet owners may have a distorted view of their pet’s health when it comes to how much they should weigh.

In fact, about 75% of pets are overweight and at least 50% are considered obese, according to veterinarian, Gavin Rippon.

The reason behind this epidemic is usually due to the commonality of the issue. That is, so many pets are overweight that a healthy weight seems abnormal. So, when people are told that their dog looks too skinny, a worried owner goes into panic mode and increases their dog’s diet. Who wants to look like they neglect their pet?

Owners also tend to feed their pet throughout the day, thinking that since they are hungry, and snack continuously, so should their fury counterpart. However, animals are not used to eating throughout the day. They do not have the same hunger cravings or use the same amount of energy as humans. They are perfectly content, and are recommended, to eat meals only twice a day.

Plus, human eating habits are often controlled by emotions. These emotions are projected through our pets. When they are happy, it makes us happy. So, why not give them a treat so they wag their tail and feel loved?

It is also common to see unhealthy eating and exercise habits both in the pet and the pet owner’s whole family. A pet relies on their owner to get exercise and eats whenever they are fed, so their weight is co-dependent on the discretion of a human’s decisions.

The result is health problems like diabetics, thyroid imbalances, and arthritis. This can take time off the healthy years of a pet’s life and result in costly vet bills.

Pet owners must realize there is an issue first by listening to their veterinarian’s recommended weight target. They should not feel ashamed if their dog is skinner than the neighbor’s; they should feel proud. And most importantly, but often difficult, they have to fix their own unhealthy lifestyle. Working on your pet’s health could be the catalyst to think about your choices and make a great leap for the sake of your health and your loved ones.