Tea Tree Oil for a Dog Skin Tag

According to Web MD, tea tree oil is effective for use by humans, but Sheltie Nation states it must not be used to treat skin conditions on dogs or even cats and other small animals due to its level of toxicity.

  1. Identification

    • Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is a potent essential oil. According to Medicine Net, it was originally found on the shores of Australia and became popular in the 1920s after men reported that it had therapeutic uses and made an effective antiseptic. On Web MD, naturopathic and homeopathic doctor Asa Hershoff states that "tea tree oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system."

    Negative Effects on Dogs

    • If you apply tea tree oil to an area that your dog can reach with its mouth, it is likely to lick it. According to Sheltie Nation, this is a problem because tea tree oil toxicity ranges between 2 and 5 g per kg of body weight. Small dogs cannot process it, and it harms their livers and kidneys. Even if a dog can't lick the oil off its body, the substance is still absorbed into the skin and can cause liver damage and neurological problems.

    Effects on Humans

    • Tea tree oil is safer for humans, assuming that a smaller person or child doesn't ingest it. When applied to skin tags twice daily, the skin tag eventually dries up for falls off, according to Medicine Net.