WAIT! my home fragrance products could actually be harming my pets?!

blog post graphic featuring a photo of essential oils, potpourri, + a candle with the text "WAIT! my home fragrance products could actually be harming my pets?! (well, yes and no . . .)"

well, yes and no.

but before you panic, just because home fragrance products can be toxic to your pets doesn’t mean that the ones you use are necessarily toxic.

so before you go throwing out every product you own . . .

some things to look out for:

essential oils

essential oils themselves aren’t bad, per se, but there are a few factors to consider:

concentration

EOs should be heavily diluted to reduce risk.

type of oil

if ingested, many EOs can lead to digestive upset, neurological problems, + other more serious concerns.

ventilation

the room in which you are using these products should be properly ventilated to keep a flow of fresh air circulating at all times, not just for your furry friend, but for you, as well.

potpourri

potpourri, both in a dry and liquid form, can lead to some adverse reactions if your pet isn't supervised properly.

choking hazard

if your pet consumes dry potpourri, it can lead to choking, along with digestive upset and even possible obstruction that requires surgery to remove from the stomach or intestines.

cationic detergents

found in the liquid "refresh" oil for potpourri can cause (especially for cats) burns, ulcers, breathing issues, etc., even from a quick lick off of a paw.

toxic ingredients

pine + other flora are toxic, but you can't always tell what's in the mix, often due to coloring.

scented candles

while they're great for creating a cozy ambience, candles can pose a serious risk to your fur babies.

fire hazard

pets are inquisitive creatures, and a flame can be just enough to get them to come closer, which can lead to it getting knocked over + possibly onto your pet.

strong scents (+ scents in general)

can lead to respiratory distress and irritation. as far as which scents your pets will be okay with, that will require a bit of testing out on your own, as every pet has their own unique likes/dislikes.

incense

whether for spiritual purposes, health reasons, or general aesthetics, the use of incense is not safe for pets.

smoke

pets have a much more powerful sense of smell, increasing the effects that smoke has on them. age (puppy/kitten, senior, etc.), anatomy (flat-faced dogs), etc. can further increase these effects, which include sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, etc.

other ingredients

including aromatic plant materials + essential oils can also lead to the issues mentioned above.

if your pet has asthma, allergies, etc., burning incense can lead to a flare-up. + if you notice panting, abdominal breathing, or abnormal gum color, you should contact your vet immmediately.