All pet lovers have one question they commonly ask, are bath bombs safe for my pet? Well, it looks like there are certain things that you should know before you choose to give your fur babies a nice smelling bath.
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Bath bombs for human use are mostly toxic for pets. Oils that are considered toxic for pets are Cinnamon oil, Tea tree, Lemongrass, Pennyroyal, Wintergreen, and CitrusSweet birch oil. In case they digest anything, they might show symptoms such as throwing-up, liver failure, seizures, or even respiratory failure.
I know there are bathing products designed especially for pets, but when it comes to products intended for humans, they may contain certain ingredients that are not safe for your pets or, in some cases, even be dangerous.
Are bath bombs safe for dogs?
Dogs are known to be sensitive to certain essential oils such as citrus oil, lemongrass, and cinnamon oil. So before you let them have fun in the water, make sure none of these ingredients are present within the formulation of your homemade bath bomb. This is actually one of the best reasons one could argue to NOT ever use bath bombs made for humans on pets. This is why you should always buy one that is specially made for dogs.
Most bath bombs are loaded with essential oils that work wonders when we use them. But what if our pets jump in with us?
Let’s say your dog jumped in with you, splashed everything (as usual), and made a huge mess. You get worried after reading horror stories on forums the other day, so what now?
Luckily there is nothing that toxic within a bath bomb to cause severe dogs’ symptoms even if they ingest bath bomb-infused water. In fact, there is a big chance that they will throw-up on their own after several minutes.
Some essential oils are actually beneficial and may keep the dogs’ skin hydrated and, on top of it, bring a shine to their fur coats. These oils also protect the integrity of their coats. We can see that bath bombs containing coconut oil, for example, greatly impact the dogs’ coats because of their Lauric acid content. Some dog owners have found that bath bombs with coconut oil help relieve dry skin symptoms and eczema in dogs.
But similar to humans, dogs are also all different. So this also means you might not experience the same.
So if your dog experiences any skin sensitivity symptoms such as redness or itching, it’s best to discontinue the use of bath bombs and immediately contact your vet.
There is a high chance that the dog will develop a mild transient bout of diarrhea or vomiting. In most cases, it’s not likely to become severe and will pass on its own. However, it’s necessary to keep an eye on your dog for a day or two, just in case if the symptoms worsen. If that were to happen, you should contact the vet immediately.
Are bath bombs safe for cats?
Some cats simply love joining their owners in the tub, but luckily most don’t. And in case you’re planning on letting yours join you, stop! It is highly advised not to let them enter a tub infused with bath bombs as cats are sensitive to it and may feel sick if they inhale or ingest essential oils.
Most cat owners get anxious when cats accidentally ingest water which contains diluted bath bomb. In that case, you must closely observe the cat and seek help if the cat shows some alarming symptoms.
There is a long list of essential oils that are potentially toxic for cats. Inhaling them may cause respiratory distress in cats. In more severe cases, essential oils can induce liver failure, seizures, respiratory failure, and even death. So In comparison to dogs, cats have it much worse.
Are there any essential oils that are dangerous for pets?
I presume that we already know the answer, though still many people perceive that essential oils may have positive benefits for pets. But in reality, it can be quite dangerous for them. The question is, why?
This is because the essential oils use water vapors for diffusing their tiny droplets into air which gives us their aroma. And we all know that cats and dogs are much more sensitive to scents than human beings (we know their sense of smell is far greater than ours). So outside of certain oils (listen below in the article), most of them can be hazardous to your furry companions.
Is there any benefit of treating pets with essential oils?
Don’t worry, this article is not all negative, even though I reckon up to now it was. Some oils might be beneficial, but I would like to address a common misconception before we jump in.
Scents that seems insignificant, pleasant, and calming to us can be overwhelming and harmful for our pets as it causes respiratory distress in animals.
Some pet owners who believe in holistic, natural medicine consider essential oils for treating their pets. They think that natural oils can help their pets overcome several medical conditions such as flea and tick prevention and stress reduction.
However, these are just perceptions based on how these essential oils help humans. There is no research-based evidence to establish the safety and effectiveness of treating pets with essential oils.
What if my dog ingests water containing essential oils?
The most important component of bath bombs is essential oils. We often see that we are advised to use certain essential oils to treat particular ailments. However, some oils are very harmful to dogs. However, once mixed in the bathtub water, the oil volume will become negligible in the dilution. But you should always think about safety first!
Here are the essential oils that particularly toxic to dogs:
- Cinnamon oil
- Tea tree oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Pennyroyal oil
- Pine oil
- Wintergreen oil
- Citrus oil
- Sweet birch oil
- Ylang Ylang
Oils on the safe side include ginger, eucalyptus, lavender, citronella, and many others.
The safety of essential oils for dogs is a long debate. The best way is to ask your veterinarian what may suit your fur baby. The major signs of intolerance to a particular oil will manifest as upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and impenitence. If any of these occur, you should get it checked by the vet.
What happens if my dog ate a bath bomb?
Dogs can eat anything within the second you’re looking away. If your dog eats a bath bomb, it will most probably have a GI upset with vomiting and diarrhea. In this case, you can limit water and food intake for about 6 hours and start with the bland diet for quick recovery. If the condition doesn’t improve, you should take the dog for medical treatment. If the vomiting and diarrhea persist, the veterinarian will suggest IV fluids and injections.
If an episode of diarrhea occurs, a simple, bland diet consisting of chicken and rice will help the dog recover faster.
But if you are like most pet owners, you most likely will go to the vet straight away. I would personally advise doing so.
Are Lush products safe for dogs?
Lush products are loaded with natural essential oils, and as we discussed earlier, dogs are sensitive to several essential oils. Therefore we do not advise you to use any of the Lush products on the pets. We cannot say whether they will prove safe for your dog or not.
There is a great range of products that are specially formulated for dogs. These products are made by using ingredients that are safe for dogs. Therefore, we say, “Better safe than sorry.”
To put it simply, Lush products are suitable for human use, but for dogs, we recommend using only dog-safe products.
What if my dog eats any of the Lush Products?
First of all, you have to check the ingredients list if any essential oils cause toxicity in dogs, better to take the dog right away for a check-up.
If the lush product contains cocoa butter, there is no need to worry about it as it will not cause toxicity. Cocoa butter does not contain cocoa solids, and therefore it is potentially less harmful to dogs than chocolate. But the excess amount of fat in cocoa butter will cause gastrointestinal symptoms. However, if the products go into the trachea, it may cause aspiration.
The Right Choice:
You can choose the bath bombs with the right ingredients for your dog or DIY your dog bath bomb to ensure your pet’s safety. It is better to get a professional opinion from your vet before you buy bath bombs. If the dog shows any sort of allergic reaction, discontinue using it and rush to the vet if conditions persist or worsens.
