Can You Use Essential Oils for Fleas?

Essential oils are super-concentrated plant extracts that are created via cold pressing or distillation. You basically take a plant (such as peppermint, rosemary, or lavender) and crunch it all the way down so that all you have left is its oil. This captures the plant’s natural scent, flavor, and alleged beneficial compounds.

Today, essential oils are used for aromatherapy applications, in skincare, in cleaning products, and even as alternative medicines. 

Let’s be clear: No, it isn’t safe to use essential oils for fleas on cats or dogs.

While pet parents may be drawn to the idea of using something that repels fleas “naturally” instead of using a pharmaceutical option, the reality is that essential oils are not approved for usage on pets. Not only can essential oils put our sweet fur friends in danger, but they also aren’t an effective means for treating, killing, or preventing fleas. 

“As an emergency veterinarian, I have unfortunately seen many times the dangers of essential oils in pets,” says Katie Merkatoris, DVM, a Wisconsin-based veterinarian specializing in emergency care. “Dogs are not humans, and cats are not small dogs. Each species is very different, and our pets tend to be very sensitive to essential oils.”

She adds that there are no U.S. regulatory agencies that assess essential oils for their quality or purity. This means the consumer has no way of knowing exactly what is in that oil. Also, there is very limited scientific research to support that any essential oil will eliminate flea infestations. 

There are no essential oils to kill fleas that are considered safe or effective for our fur friends.

Pet parents might have read about using peppermint oil or tea tree oil for fleas, but no essential oil is considered safe for pets. 

Here are some risks essential oils pose to our pets:

• Skin reactions: These concentrated plant oils can cause skin irritation, leading to hair loss, itching, redness, and sores in the areas they’re applied, Dr. Merkatoris says. 
• Gastrointestinal upset: Many of these oils are absorbed through the skin, and pets can also lick the area and consume them, says Dr. Merkatoris. This can result in an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. 
• Organ damage: Dogs’ and cats’ livers lack the enzymes required to metabolize certain compounds found in essential oils, which can lead to organ damage. 
• Respiratory distress: Inhalation of essential oil fumes—especially in enclosed spaces—can irritate a pet’s respiratory system, leading to coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure.
• Neurological issues: Some essential oils can lead to neurological symptoms, including tremors, disorientation, excessive drooling, muscle weakness, and even seizures. These reactions can occur after ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption. 
• Death: In extreme cases, prolonged exposure or ingestion of toxic essential oils can result in fatal poisoning. Small pets, senior animals, and those with preexisting conditions are especially vulnerable.

“One of the most commonly used essential oils for the treatment of fleas is tea tree oil. This oil is extremely toxic, particularly to cats,” says Dr. Merkatoris. “It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures, which can lead to death.”

By the time clinical signs begin, Dr. Merkatoris says that symptomatic supportive care and time are the only treatment options.

Now that you know essential oils are off-limits, let’s talk about what actually repels fleas effectively and safely.

Megan McCarthy, DVM, a veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society, says to use over-the-counter or prescription flea and tick prevention medications that are administered orally or, if you have a pet who’s not a fan of chews, topically.

Popular options include:

• Credelio
• Simparica
• NexGard
• Bravecto
• Revolution

Many of these are administered once a month, though some options—such as Bravecto—last longer. Make sure the medication is suitable for your pet type; many dog flea prevention medications are dangerous to use on cats. 

If you’ve found yourself in the unfortunate scenario of needing to kill fleas that are already crawling on your fur baby, we promise you’ll get through it.

Dr. McCarthy says the key is to act immediately, to treat both your pet and your entire home, and to repeat the process every three to four weeks to cover the entire flea life cycle until you see no more signs of the pests. 

To kill the fleas on your pet, use a flea comb and shampoo that’ll bring your pet relief, such as Advantage Flea and Tick Shampoo for dogs and cats. Or (under your vet’s guidance) you can give your pet a Capstar tablet, which begins killing the adult fleas crawling in their fur within 30 minutes.

From there, use a vet-recommended flea and tick prevention treatment.

As for your home, prepare for a deep-cleaning bonanza:

• Vacuum all carpets, rugs, furniture, and pet bedding daily to remove flea eggs, larvae, and adult fleas. Make sure to empty the vacuum canister outdoors after each cleaning!
• Wash all pet bedding, blankets, and soft furnishings in hot water to kill fleas at all life stages.
• If the infestation persists, professional pest control services may be necessary to break the flea cycle completely.

Dealing with fleas is the worst, so make it your mission to tackle the problem as efficiently and healthfully as possible. Forgoing the temptation to use essential oils for fleas will bring your sweet pet quick and much-needed relief—and it’ll keep them out of harm’s way.