Is Citronella Toxic to Dogs? Oils, Plants, and Candles

Name: Is Citronella Toxic to Dogs? Oils, Plants, and Candles
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-03

Citronella grass itself is generally considered non-toxic to dogs, but concentrated citronella oil, candles, and sprays can cause real problems if your dog eats or inhales them. The question "is citronella plant toxic to dogs" has a reassuring answer, yet the products made from that plant deserve more caution. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

The citronella plant (citronella grass) is not listed among common toxic plants for dogs, so nibbling a leaf is unlikely to cause serious poisoning [1][2].
Citronella oil is far more concentrated than the plant. Eating it, especially a large amount, can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Citronella candles and liquid torch fuel are the bigger risk. The wax, wick, and any petroleum-based fuel can cause stomach upset or worse if swallowed.
Citronella sprays used on a dog's skin or coat can trigger irritation, and some dogs react to the alcohol or other ingredients.
If your dog ate citronella oil, candle wax, or torch fuel, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away.

Is Citronella Plant Toxic to Dogs?

The citronella plant, also called citronella grass, belongs to the Cymbopogon genus. It is the plant that citronella oil comes from. It does not appear on standard lists of plants toxic to dogs [1][2]. That means a dog who chews a leaf or two is unlikely to have a serious reaction.

That said, "not on the toxic list" does not mean "eat as much as you want." Any plant material can cause mild stomach upset in a dog with a sensitive gut. Large amounts of fibrous leaves can cause vomiting or loose stool simply from irritation, not from a poison.

If you are sorting out which plants in your yard or home are safe, our guide to Plants Poisonous To Dogs covers the ones that cause real trouble. You can also compare with Plants That Aren't Toxic To Cats And Dogs to build a pet-safe garden.

Is Citronella Grass Toxic to Dogs?

Citronella grass is the same plant as the citronella plant. It is not listed as toxic to dogs [1][2]. The leaves contain small amounts of the same oils used in repellents, but at levels far below what you find in a bottle of essential oil.

Is Citronella Geranium Toxic to Dogs?

This is where names get confusing. The plant often sold as "citronella geranium" or "mosquito plant" is a scented geranium, Pelargonium species. Geraniums are not the same as citronella grass, and they are not the same as true citronella.

Geraniums are generally considered non-toxic to dogs, though eating a lot of any plant can cause mild stomach upset. If your dog chews a geranium leaf, watch for vomiting or drooling, but serious poisoning is not expected.

Is Citronella Oil Toxic to Dogs?

Citronella oil is much more concentrated than the plant. A small lick of diluted oil is usually not a crisis, but swallowing a bottle or a large mouthful is a different story. Essential oils can irritate the mouth, throat, and stomach, and some can cause more serious signs if enough is absorbed.

Citronella oil is used in animal products at controlled levels. One safety review set a maximum of 10 mg/kg in complete feed for dogs, which shows that small, regulated amounts are tolerated [3]. That number is for feed additives, not for a dog licking a bottle of oil. Never guess a dose at home. Your veterinarian calculates any dose from your dog's weight and health.

Is Citronella Candle Toxic to Dogs?

Citronella candles are one of the more common reasons dogs end up at the vet after a backyard barbecue. The candle itself contains wax and citronella oil. Some outdoor torches and citronella fuels contain petroleum-based liquids that are more dangerous than the citronella.

Eating a small piece of candle wax often causes mild stomach upset. Drinking torch fuel is a serious emergency. Petroleum products can cause vomiting, aspiration into the lungs, and breathing problems. Call poison control or your vet right away if you suspect fuel ingestion.

Is Citronella Spray Toxic to Dogs?

Citronella sprays come in two main types: sprays for people and the environment, and sprays marketed for pets. A spray applied to your dog's coat can cause skin irritation, redness, or itching in some dogs. If your dog licks the spray off, they may drool or vomit.

Sprays that contain alcohol, fragrance, or other repellent ingredients can be more irritating than citronella alone. Never spray citronella products near your dog's face, eyes, or nose. If you use a pet-specific product, follow the label exactly.

What Is the Toxic Principle and What Does It Do?

Citronella oil is a mix of many compounds. In one analysis, the main components were citronellal at 23.38%, delta-cadinene at 12.25%, and geraniol at 9.09% [4]. These are the same compounds that repel mosquitoes, and they are also what can irritate a dog's mouth and stomach.

When a dog eats citronella oil or a citronella product, the oils can irritate the lining of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. That irritation is what drives drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. If a dog inhales oil or petroleum fuel, the risk shifts to the lungs, where aspiration can cause coughing, trouble breathing, and pneumonia.

Citronella oil does have real repellent activity. A study in dogs found that a citronella bath bomb formulation repelled mosquitoes, and the researchers checked for skin irritation over 15 days after application [4]. That supports the idea that topical citronella can be used, but it also means the product touches skin and can be licked off.

Citronella also has antibacterial activity. A study of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil found it inhibited bacteria from dogs' mouths and reduced bacteria on dry dog food when sprayed on it [5]. This is lab work, not a reason to treat your dog at home.

Signs of Citronella Poisoning in Dogs

Signs depend on what your dog got into and how much.

Mild Signs

Drooling
Pawing at the mouth
Mild vomiting
Soft stool or diarrhea
Redness or itching where a spray or oil touched the skin

Moderate to Serious Signs

Repeated vomiting
Severe diarrhea
Coughing, gagging, or noisy breathing after inhaling oil or fuel
Weakness or wobbling
Tremors
Collapse

Typical Timeline

Mild stomach signs often show up within 30 minutes to a few hours of eating a citronella product. Skin irritation can appear within hours of application and may worsen over a day or two. Breathing problems after inhaling oil or fuel can start quickly and get worse, so that situation needs emergency care.

What to Do Right Now

If your dog ate citronella oil, candle wax, torch fuel, or a citronella spray, take these steps.

Move your dog away from the product. Put the container, label, or a photo of it somewhere safe so you can describe it.
Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Vomiting petroleum products can push fuel into the lungs and cause serious damage.
Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Have your dog's weight, the product name, and your best estimate of how much was eaten.
If the product touched the skin, rinse with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Do not scrub.
If the product is in the eyes, flush with plain water for several minutes and call your vet.
Do not give food, milk, oil, or home remedies unless a veterinarian instructs you.

If your dog is having trouble breathing, collapsing, or having seizures, go to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital now. Do not wait for a callback.

If you are not sure whether the plant your dog chewed is a problem, our article on Dog Ate Toxic Plant walks through the same first steps.

How Veterinarians Treat Citronella Exposure

Treatment depends on the route of exposure and how sick your dog is.

For mild oral exposure, your vet may recommend monitoring at home, a bland diet, and fluids. If vomiting is frequent, they may give anti-nausea medication and fluids under the skin or into a vein.

For skin exposure, treatment is usually a bath with a gentle degreasing shampoo, then monitoring for redness or itching. Your vet may prescribe a topical or oral medication if the skin reaction is significant.

For petroleum fuel ingestion or inhalation, treatment is more involved. Your vet may take chest X-rays, give oxygen, and provide supportive care for breathing. Some dogs need hospitalization.

There is no single antidote for citronella. Care is supportive and based on the signs your dog has.

Outlook

Most dogs who eat a small amount of citronella plant or candle wax do well with supportive care. Mild stomach upset often settles within a day or two.

Dogs who drink torch fuel or inhale oil can have a much harder course. Aspiration pneumonia can take days to weeks to resolve and sometimes requires intensive care. The faster you get veterinary help, the better the odds.

Dogs with skin reactions usually recover once the product is washed off and the irritation is treated.

Prevention and Safer Alternatives

Prevention is mostly about storage and supervision.

Keep citronella oil bottles, candles, and torch fuel locked in a cabinet your dog cannot reach.
Never leave a burning citronella candle or torch where a dog can knock it over or lick it.
Do not apply human insect repellent to your dog. Use only products labeled for dogs, and follow the label.
Rinse your dog's paws and coat after time in treated outdoor areas if they seem irritated.
If you want a pet-safe garden, check our list of Common Houseplants Toxic to Cats and Dogs before you plant.

For mosquito control, talk with your veterinarian about dog-safe repellents and heartworm prevention. Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, and prevention is far easier than treatment. Citronella may help reduce bites, but it is not a substitute for veterinary parasite prevention.

If you keep other exotic pets, our article on Are Tarantulas Poisonous to Dogs? Understanding the Risks covers a different kind of household hazard.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

This article covers general information. Your dog's individual case needs a veterinarian who can examine them, ask questions, and decide on treatment.

Call your veterinarian the same day if your dog ate citronella oil, candle wax, or a citronella spray and now has drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea. Call right away if you are unsure how much was eaten.

Go to an emergency clinic now if your dog is coughing, gagging, breathing noisily, wobbling, trembling, collapsing, or having seizures. These signs after inhaling or drinking oil or fuel are emergencies.

Schedule a routine visit if your dog had a mild skin reaction that is not improving after a bath, or if you want help choosing a safe mosquito repellent for your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use citronella candles around my dog?

You can burn citronella candles outdoors where your dog cannot reach them, but keep the candle, wax, and any liquid fuel out of reach. The citronella itself is not the main worry. The bigger risk is your dog eating wax or drinking torch fuel, which can cause serious problems. Never leave a burning candle unattended around a curious dog.

What happens if my dog licks citronella oil?

A small lick of diluted oil often causes only drooling or mild stomach upset. A larger amount can cause repeated vomiting and diarrhea. If your dog licked from a bottle or ate a capsule, call your veterinarian or poison control for advice based on your dog's weight and the amount involved.

Is citronella spray safe to put on my dog?

Only use sprays labeled for dogs, and follow the label directions. Human repellents and concentrated oils can irritate your dog's skin and cause problems if licked off. If you see redness, itching, or drooling after applying a spray, wash it off with mild soap and water and call your vet.

Is citronella the same as geranium?

No. Citronella comes from Cymbopogon grasses, while geraniums are Pelargonium plants. The plant sold as a citronella geranium is a scented geranium, not true citronella. Both are generally considered non-toxic to dogs, but eating a lot of either plant can cause mild stomach upset.

Should I make my own citronella dog spray?

It is safer to ask your veterinarian before making or using a homemade repellent. Concentrated essential oils can irritate skin and cause stomach upset if licked off, and the right dilution depends on your dog's size and health. A vet can recommend a product that is labeled for dogs and appropriate for your situation.

References

Plants toxic to dogs. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
List of Plants Toxic for Dogs and. Pet Poison Helpline.
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle (citronella oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2024.
In vivo mosquito repellency effect of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) essential oil bath bomb formulation in dogs. Veterinary world, 2024.
Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil in Controlling of Bacteria Associated with Oral Cavity of Dogs In Vitro and Dry Pet Feed. Foodborne pathogens and disease, 2024.