Is tea tree oil toxic to cats

Has anyone ever heard of tea tree oil being toxic to cats? I was thinking of buying it to help alleve my son and my eczema until I read that the oil is lethally toxic to some cats. I won't take that chance on my furbabies.

http://www.messybeast.com/teatree.htm

 

Yes, it's quite toxic, as are many essential oils.

 

I was just reading my whole dog journal and there is a section on Tea tree oil. it says in 1994 vetinarians at the national animal poison control center reported several cases in which dogs and cts treated with product containing tea tred oil experienced depression, weakness,lack of coordination muscle tremors ahd behaviour disorders. in other cases tea tree oil has caused burns or paunfl reactions in sensitve animals

honeybear

 

Thank you Chessmind and Honeybears. It's an important topic and people should know that tea tree oil is toxic to both cats and dogs. BTW, does anyone know if neem oil is also toxic to cats and dogs?

 

I just wanted to pipe in and say that in the past, I have used vitamin e oil on eczema, and it has worked well for healing dry, cracked skin that can result from the eczema. And I think it's safe for kitties.

Not sure about the neem. Don't know anything about neem, except that it's in my toothpaste, and apparently it's great for whitening teeth. And that it has a really cool, "sounds-like-it's-made-up" name. :m12:

 

Thank you Lunaguy. I'm going to try some vitamin E. :mrgreen:

 

eek i have dog shampoo that has eucalyptus oil in it. im pretty sure thats exactly the same as tea tree.

 

Kyles, have you used the shampoo long, and any strange behavior among your furbabies?

 

whats neem??? :0011:

 

http://www.bytheplanet.com/Neem/WhatIsNeem/aboutneemoil.htm

http://www.plasmaneem.com/

Neem oil has mutipurpose use from moisturizers to insect repellents. :shock:

 

I'm really not sure about toxicity levels in regards to cats and dogs, but i just wanted to point out that tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Melaleuca and eucalyptus is from a variety of Austrailan gum trees, so they aren't the same thing. Externally the eucalyptus is used for its scent and as a disinfectant, but there several types of gum tree and i believe the different kinds are used for different reasons.

 

ive noticed no changed in kuma and her skin is fine. i think they use really small amounts as well.

 

Good to hear.