Is Vicks Vaporub Bad For Dogs

You want to do everything you can to take care of your dog, so this might include using Vicks Vaposteam on him.

While this might be a well-meaning action on your part, it can actually be quite harmful.

You will want to keep in mind that Vicks is made specifically for humans, so you will want to leave your dog out of it.

Vicks Vaposteam contains toxic chemicals that are actually harmful to dogs. While oils such as camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus are safe for humans in moderation, the same cannot be said for canines. As such, Vicks Vaposteam should not be used as a treatment for nasal congestion in your dog.

It is only natural to want to do whatever you can for your dog when you know that he is not feeling well.

Since dogs become our best friends, the line between what works for us and for them is often blurred.

Continue reading to learn why Vicks Vaposteam is something best reserved for you and not your dog.

What Are the Harmful Effects of Vicks Vaposteam on Dogs?

There are actually quite a few reasons why Vicks Vaposteam can be extremely dangerous for your dog.

It all has to do with the toxicity of various ingredients in the product.

Toxins are absorbed through the dog’s skin – When this happens, the toxins can make their way into the bloodstream. This is very dangerous and must be avoided at all costs.

Toxins get into the body through scratches on the skin – Dogs are constantly scratching themselves. Their skin is also susceptible to all types of tears, given their propensity to run outside and encounter trees, bushes, and other items. As a consequence, it is quite easy for the toxins from Vicks Vaposteam to get into those cuts and make their way into the bloodstream once again.

Dogs may lick the oil from Vicks – If you haven’t noticed, dogs will lick and attempt to eat just about anything. Before you can tell them to stop, the damage will already be done.

Any of these three things can cause great harm to your dog.

While humans know the limitations of Vicks, dogs do not.

We can keep ourselves from ingesting the harmful toxins or putting it on our broken skin, but dogs have no such knowledge.

Therefore, we must do our part to keep them safe by minimizing their contact with products such as Vicks Vaposteam.

Is Vicks Bad for Dogs to Inhale?

Yes, even inhalation of camphor can be bad for your dogs and can affect their respiratory system. The good thing is that dogs will recognize the smell and find it repellent immediately.

They might become curious and try to sniff a container of Vicks Vaporub but as soon as that menthol scent hits their noses, they will back off right away, probably sneezing as they go. To say that dogs find this smell obnoxious is an understatement.

Can I Use Vicks In My Humidifier For My Dog?

Absolutely not. Not only do dogs hate the smell of camphor-based products (it will probably drive them straight out of the room), inhaling camphor via the humidifier can also be very bad for them. It can also be very irritating for dogs who have sensitive dry eyes, giving them a burning sensation.

While Vicks humidifiers might work very well for unclogging noses for people, it is definitely something that your dog can enjoy with you.