Pets and Aromas
People love their companions and they are as varied as the people that love them. As a pet owner, everyone has asked themselves at least once "Is This Safe For My Pet?". The consensus from vets that I have spoken with, whether they were conventional or holistic, say the same thing - use caution with scents or oils around your pets.
Aromas have been used to help reduce anxiety, induce relaxation and sometimes well just because they plain smell good. We have a full house of animals including dogs, cats, reptiles and a chinchilla. While working with different aromas (oils and fragrances) we noticed that there were some that caused the animals to be noticeably absent from the work area and others that had us constantly removing them from under foot.
Remember that what may smell great for you can be irritating to your pets! Always give them a way out of the scent zone. Most of our products are not bathed in scents and are made taking into account people with breathing issues or pets.
If you plan to use essential oils, potpourri, scented candles or air fresheners please be aware of potential problems that can arise and take necessary actions to keep your pets safe.
Please note that there has not been many scientific studies done regarding animals and fragrances and a good bit of mis-information is out there on the web. None of these claims have been evaluated by the FDA nor can be backed up by scientific research. Any information contained here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your pet appears to have serious health concerns, consult a vet!
Essential Oils
Some people want to use essential oils. The concentration and type of oil is important along with the quality, area it's used in and ventilation. If ingested, certain oils can cause issues and possibly more serious problems in cats or birds. If you do choose to use essential oils on or around your pets, it has been recommended to dilute them to reduce possible problems. When in doubt, consult your vet.
Potpourri - Dry or Liquid
Dry potpourri is not necessarily harmful scent wise to your pets but if they decide to sample it
there could be possible digestive issues or even obstructions that could require surgery.
Liquid potpourri is more of a health risk to your pets (especially cats) due to it's ingredients - essential oils and detergents. If
you use liquid potpourri, be sure to wipe up any spills and keep your pets away from them.
Scented Candles
People use scented candles to set a "mood", especially near the holidays - think pumpkin or cinnamon to name a few. Here can be double jeopardy for your pet, a flame and the scents. A pet can knock over a candle, causing them to get burned or even starting a fire. The scent also can cause issues with their respitory systems. Always allow your pet an escape from a scented up area. There are cleaner burning candles made from beeswax or soy. Avoid those made with paraffin which are basically petroleum byproducts. There is also the option of flameless candles or wax melts. Either of these two cause melt pools and your pet should be supervised while using these items as with any aromatic delivery method.
Air Fresheners
Even though these make your home smell nice, these sprays or deodorizers can trigger coughing or asthma attacks in certain pets. Scented candles and potpourri can also trigger coughing fits.
Incense
Incense can smell nice but it produces a fair amount of smoke and lowers air quality. That combined with the essential oils used in it's creation can be problematic for smaller pets like cats, hamsters etc.
More information can be found below.
It's nice to come home to a cuddily fur baby and a pleasantly scented home. One needs to be aware that as nice as the scents are, whether aroma therapy oils or air fresheners, some can be toxic.
Dog's have a highly developed sense of smell. Having such a sensitive sense of smell dogs have been used to find missing people, search out narcotics and have begun to be used to detect diseases.
Birds have been thought of as lacking in the olafactory department but it has been proven that many detect aromas and use them when foraging, seeking a mate or a nest.
Reptiles have a sense of smell and some rely on it for survival in the wild. Since they are cage bound in our homes they do not have the chance to get away from overbearing aromas.
Helpful Links
Remember to always keep your vet's number handy.
If you suspect your pet has ingested or been exposed to something toxic,
call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center - 888.426.4435.