Is peppermint oil toxic to dogs if applied to skin or licked?

Peppermint is not "bad" or toxic to dogs. They can eat the plant and sometimes do when they don't feel well. The problem with adding oil to water is that they don't mix adequately. The oil will float on the surface of the water. When Toby drinks, he may get undiluted oil which may irritate his lips, tongue, throat and gums. It may also cause stomach upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. Adding oil to his water would not be recommended.

Peppermint and vinegar may cause some digestive upset if ingested, so as long as Clark isn't eating/licking the area you spray I don't think it would be harmful. If you'd like to take an extra precaution, you can spray the area and keep him out of the room until it has dried (15-30m) just to be extra safe.

I am afraid peppermint oil will just smell very nice but will not touch the fleas, You would be better off doing the following: Unfortunately fleas only hop on the body of your dog when they want to feed, then they hop off again and stay in your pet's environment. So you need to treat all pets in the household as well as the environment (which contains the fleas, their eggs and larvae). Flea treatment:  1) Get some flea medication such as a Flea spray or a spot on from a pet shop or your veterinarian and apply monthly 2) get flea powder, put some in your vacuum cleaner bag and vacuum your house and furniture and also non-carpeted areas frequently to remove flea larvae and eggs which live off house dust., Dispose of the bag in the trash outside. Hot-wash all the pet's bedding, If you do this diligently for a few months you will get rid of the fleas. Flea products: Spot-ons: Advantage, Advantix Advantage Multi (Advocate in the UK) Frontline (ticks as well) Bravecto spot on (ticks as well) - for cats, in tablet form for dogs Revolution (stronghold in the UK) Tablets: comfortis (will only kill fleas once) Collar: Seresto (ticks as well) House spray: Indoorex

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Leela. No, it's not toxic for her to inhale but it will be quite irritating to her nasal passages. I would not use it around her. I hope this helps!

Clove and peppermint only annoy your cats' and dogs' sence of smell. Since they have a much more keen sense of smell these aromas are overpowering to them. Fleas do not get repelled by peppermint and clove. I would not use it near my pets. The best way to get rid of fleas is as follows: Unfortunately fleas only hop on the body of your pet when they want to feed, then they hop off again and stay in your pet's environment. So you need to treat all pets in the household as well as the environment (which contains the fleas, their eggs and larvae). Flea treatment:  1) Get some flea medication such as a Flea spray or a spot on from a pet shop or your veterinarian and apply monthly 2) get flea powder, put some in your vacuum cleaner bag and vacuum your house and furniture and also non-carpeted areas frequently to remove flea larvae and eggs which live off house dust., Dispose of the bag in the trash outside. Hot-wash all the pet's bedding, If you do this diligently for a few months you will get rid of the fleas. Flea products: Spot-ons and/or chews Advantage, Advantix Advantage Multi (Advocate in the UK) Frontline (ticks as well) Bravecto spot on (ticks as well) - for cats, in tablet form for dogs Simparica, Nexgard Revolution (stronghold in the UK) Tablets: comfortis (will only kill fleas once) Collar: Seresto (ticks as well) Indorex: The active ingredients of the product are Permethrin, Pyripoxyfen and Piperonyl Butoxide. Between them, these three substances kill adult fleas and stop the development of eggs and larvae of fleas and house dust mites. However, as permethrin is toxic to cats, I would not use it regularly and certainly would not leave the cats in the house while spraying it.

The biggest problem with essential oils is not the smell, but when the oil gets onto the cat and they lick it off. This can happen when the oil is aerosolized or if it is sprayed or poured and the cat walks through it since they will then lick their paws. So, if you have sprayed or poured the peppermint oil in an area that Luna may walk through, then make sure you wash the area well. The strong smell is mainly a concern if a cat has asthma and is not associated with the toxicity aspect of essential oils. I am attaching a link to more information about essential oils below for your information. http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/ I have used diluted peppermint oil in my house and my cats have not had any problem, but you need to be careful that they do not have any access to it. I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Peppermint essential oil is toxic to dogs, so do not use that. As for lavender, while it isn't toxic, dogs can have negative or allergic reactions to it, so use only small amounts initially. If you have a cat, do not use any essential oils as many are highly toxic to cats. I hope this helps!