Toxin Tuesday: Potpourri and Essential Oils

This may seem innocent enough but potpourri can cause some problems in our pets. (Image Source)

Potpourri and essential oils may seem harmless, but to our pets they can actually cause several problems. Unfortunately with the wide range of products available it is difficult to know precisely what each product is capable of in our pets, however there are some general trends we can look at. For instance, it seems cats are more frequently exposed to the liquid potpourri products. This could be due to placement, as many of us put these products on higher shelves, or that the smell is more appealing to them.

 

Oral ulceration is one side effect of liquid potpourri (Image Source)

Again because there is a large variety in products, there can be a very wide range of side effects. Many times animals exposed to the liquid products will end up with burns in their mouth or on their skin depending on how they were exposed. Several products can lead to liver failure, while others mild vomiting and diarrhea. Still others can affect the respiratory and nervous system. If possible it may help your veterinarian to know what products were in the oils you use. Some examples of the active ingredients include pennyroyal oil, melaleuca oil, citrus oil and oil of winter green.

 

Depending on the active ingredient, symptoms can be mild gastrointestinal OR more severe liver disease (Image Source)

If you suspect your pet has gotten into a product like this, it is important to call your veterinarian quickly. Likely they will not make you induce vomiting at home. Many of the products are caustic which means they can cause erosion of the mucous membranes so if they come back up that is twice the throat and has been exposed. Meaning it is more likely to cause ulceration. On presentation your veterinarian may recommend blood work to assess the liver values, as well as a bath if the skin has been exposed. This will hopefully prevent the skin from becoming ulcerated. In severe cases patients may need to be hospitalized and placed on fluids.

 

Hot Potpourri has the additional threat of thermal burns. Keep these items away from our pets (Image Source)

While potpourri and other essential oils are not a very common problem we see, they do pose a threat to our pets. It is best to keep all these products up and away so they cannot have access to them. This can be difficult with cats as they can reach many different areas in the house. Taking extra precautions and keeping the products completely put away can help avoid future problems.