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Is Neem oil safe for dogs and cats?

November 29, 2025 - By 
“Neem oil is not listed as a toxic plant product for cats or dogs as per the ASPCA Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline, yet I always recommend cautious use with all dogs and cats under the guidelines of the pet's primary veterinarian,” Mahaney says.

Correspondingly, can I use neem oil on my dog?

It's used as a natural insecticide, pesticide, skin treatment, and more for dogs. It has many beneficial properties that boost dogs' overall health, and it's very potent. Neem oil can be mixed with other oils and applied topically, added to shampoo, or made into a spray. The oil isn't recommended for internal use.

Secondly, is Neem oil bad for the environment? Neem oil is practically non-toxic to birds, mammals, bees and plants. Neem oil is slightly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. Azadirachtin, a component of neem oil, is moderately toxic to fish and other aquatic animals. It is important to remember that insects must eat the treated plant to be killed.

Also Know, how do you use neem oil on cats for fleas?

👉 For more insights, check out this resource.

Simply rubbing a little neem oil between your palms and massaging your pet's fur and into their skin is a quick fix if you don't have time to groom or bathe them. Try cedarwood, lavender and lemon essential oil spray – make up an effective flea spray for the home using these essential oils, fleas really hate them.

What are the side effects of neem oil?

👉 Discover more in this in-depth guide.

Serious side effects in infants and small children can happen within hours after taking neem oil. These serious side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, blood disorders, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, brain disorders, and death.

Can neem oil hurt my dog?

Risks of Using Neem Oil

“Neem oil is not listed as a toxic plant product for cats or dogs as per the ASPCA Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline, yet I always recommend cautious use with all dogs and cats under the guidelines of the pet's primary veterinarian,” Mahaney says.

How often can I apply neem oil?

When applied as a preventative, neem oil should be applied on a 7- to 14-day schedule according to the manufacturers of 70% neem Oil. To control a pest or disease already present, they recommend an application on a 7-day schedule.

Does neem oil stop itching?

Though neem oil cannot cure eczema—a condition involving dry, itchy skin that often runs in families—it can help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Neem also contains nimbidin, nimbin and quercetin—three anti-inflammatory compounds that can soothe the skin and reduce eczema-caused redness and irritation.

Will neem oil kill ticks?

Neem Oil is is used as a natural remedy to repel and remove ticks. To use, add several drops to the palm of your hand and rub on exposed skin. This wonderful natural remedy also helps to remove and kill ticks. The following solution can be sprayed on clothing and exposed skin, even lawn furniture.

Can neem oil be used directly on the skin?

Neem oil is generally safe to apply to the skin. However, it is very potent, so it may be a good idea to test it on a small patch of skin before applying it more extensively. To perform a patch test, mix a couple drops of neem oil with water or liquid soap.

How do you dilute neem oil?

Mix 1 tsp of neem oil and 1/2 tsp of liquid dish soap to 1 quart of water, or 4 tsp of neem oil and 2 tsp of liquid dish soap to 1 gallon of water. Shake well. (Neem oil mixes easier with warm water.) Spray the diluted solution generously on all leaf surfaces.

Will coconut oil kill mites on dogs?

It may help fight off pests. The antimicrobial effects of coconut oil may prevent dogs from being infected by ectoparasites, such as ticks, fleas, and mange mites. Moreover, coconut oil has also been shown to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi in lab studies ( 5 , 6 , 7 ).

What is the active ingredient in neem oil?

azadirachtin

What is neem oil good for?

Used topically, Neem Carrier Oil can soothe red, itchy, inflamed skin associated with ailments like acne, burns, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes among others. Neem Oil works as a natural substitute for anti-aging products and as a protective agent against skin damage caused by UV rays.

What does neem oil smell like?

Neem oil has a strong garlic/nutty aroma – unpleasant to some but loved by those who have experienced it's healing and protective powers.

Is lavender oil safe for cats?

Most disturbingly, cats can't efficiently metabolize the compounds in essential oils, which can lead to toxic build-up in their bodies. Fresh lavender is not toxic to felines, only the essential oils derived from the plants are.

Is Neem oil poisonous to humans?

Toxicity. The ingestion of neem oil is potentially toxic and can cause metabolic acidosis, seizures, kidney failure, encephalopathy and severe brain ischemia in infants and young children .

Does Walmart sell neem oil?

Organic Neem oil 100% pure cold pressed – 8 oz – Walmart.com.

Is neem oil a fungicide?

Neem oil is a great fungicide.

You can use neem oil to prevent or even kill fungus on your plants. Use neem oil for powdery mildew and other common fungal diseases, including: Black spot.

Can I use neem oil on my herbs?

It is safe to use on both ornamental and edible crops and can be sprayed on herbs and vegetables up to the day of harvest. Applying neem oil to a drought-stressed plant can burn the foliage, so water plants thoroughly before using it.

How do you make neem oil?

The first step involves the collection of ripe seeds, drying, roasting, crushing and pressing them to extract the neem oil. In the second step, the oil is then formulated into a pesticide by diluting it to the desired volume using water. Various methods are employed for extracting the oil from the neem seeds.

Does neem oil remove acne scars?

Neem oil has been traditionally been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a particularly effective antidote to acne. The fatty acids present in neem oil help with scar reduction and it is thankfully non-comedogenic.