Pets Transfer Poison Ivy Oil to People

Pets Transfer Poison Ivy Oil to People
Urushiol, the rash-causing oil in poison ivy, persists for years on surfaces. Rob Byron/Shutterstock
Updated:
Q: We discovered poison ivy in our woods. If our cats and dogs touch it, can it cause them problems? What if they rub up against us humans?
A: Neither cats nor dogs suffer from poison ivy rash, but their coats easily transfer the oil in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac to humans. This oil, called urushiol, causes the common poison ivy rash in people who are sensitive to it.
Lee Pickett
Lee Pickett
Author
Lee Pickett, VMD, practices companion animal medicine in North Carolina. Contact her at AskTheVet.pet. Copyright 2024 Lee Pickett, VMD. Distributed by Creators.com
Related Topics