Yes, some scented candles can be poisonous to pets. If you are a fan of scented candles, you might want to try unscented, for your dog's sake. Just like with humans, fragrances and scented oils can trigger an allergic reaction or irritate existing breathing problems in our canine companions.
Most of the time, candles are relatively harmless to dogs and will not make them sick. The common candle waxes, such as soy, paraffin, and beeswax, are all non-toxic and usually soften and pass safely through your dog's digestive system. Soy-based candles in particular are the softest and pose the least amount of risk.
What candle scents are dog-friendly? Scents such as Vanilla, Lavender, and Citronella are some of the candle scents that are dog-friendly.
Identify if your chosen candle is paraffin based or an eco-type base. Pet-friendly candle base ingredients should ideally be manufactured from 100% beeswax, coconut wax, rapeseed wax, sunflower seed wax, soy wax, or other natural vegetable-based wax.
Pet Safe Essential Oils For Dogs Include:
Frankincense. Chamomile. Peppermint. Lavender.
If you are looking for pet-friendly candles, make sure to steer clear of ones that contain paraffin wax. Paraffin is a byproduct of distilling petroleum and can emit toxins, including carcinogens like acetone and benzene, when burned.
To be safe, with pets in your home, you should avoid: Eucalyptus, peppermint, clove, tea tree, wintergreen, and pine oils. Note: This mostly comes down to the concentration of essential oils - certainly don't put any of the aforementioned oils in direct contact with your pet's fur or skin.
Yes, dogs can smell essential oils. However, not all essential oils are safe for your dog. Lavender is perhaps the most popular (and one of the safest) because of its calming properties. Peppermint oil is another good one that can stimulate circulation and deter pesky insects.
The short answer is no, it's not bad for our pets and it is completely safe to burn in the presence of our cats, dogs, rats and rabbits etc. Burning incense is as safe for our furry friends as it is for us.
So, make sure your candle isn't positioned too close to a cage or tank so that your pets aren't over-exposed to the scent or heat. If your pet seems sensitive to fragrances, or if they have respiratory problems, try and keep candles in a separate room.
But there's no need to leave every single light in your home on just for your dog. In fact, darkness at the right time can be good for dogs. According to the Sleep Foundation, dogs, like humans, have circadian rhythms that are influenced by light. It's easier for them to sleep if it's dark, or at least dim.
Try using vinegar (diluted with a bit of water) in a spray bottle and spray on carpets or floors. Or use in combination with baking soda on cushions or bedding for an extra powerful, odor-eliminating punch.
Liberally sprinkling baking soda, a natural odor eliminator, on your furniture or carpet and allowing it to sit overnight is a great first step to neutralize dog smells. Plus, it's completely safe for your fur baby. Another option is to look to your bar cart. Reichert advises spraying areas where dogs lie with vodka.
Lavender and Chamomile:
Dogs who are exposed to these scents spend less time moving around and tend to behave in a relaxed manner. This results in lower levels of barking and is most beneficial when used in your home. It has also been shown to reduce stress levels.
Lavender is toxic to dogs, especially when consumed. However, the scent can also cause respiratory symptoms in some dogs because they have a stronger sense of smell. Both the lavender plant and essential oils can be dangerous for your pet.
Well known for its incredible calming properties for humans, lavender oil is one of the best essential oils to calm dogs. It is a natural dog anxiety treatments to use with a nervous, depressed or hyperactive pup - and is also an excellent sleep aid if your dog has insomnia.
Some oils, like tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil, can cause serious health issues in dogs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and even liver failure if ingested. Burning candles or using diffusers can also release fumes that can be harmful to a dog's respiratory system if they are inhaled in large quantities.
They're often used to give candles strong, delicious scents. Unfortunately, essential oils are very toxic to dogs. VCA Ark Animal Hospital says wintergreen, tea tree, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, cinnamon and citrus essential oils are some of the most harmful.
How safe are these essential oils for our pets? Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.
Burning incense can put your pup at risk. That's because the smoke from incense can be harmful to your canine companion. Inhaling too much of this smoke can cause respiratory problems, including bronchitis and asthma.
Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia): Vanilla has comforting and nurturing qualities for dogs who experience nervous tension, irritability, and/or anger. Dogs who have been known to bite are among those who this oil is recommended to. This oil can be inhaled, ingested or applied topically.
For dogs, citrus scents are the enemy. Citrus scents like lemon, lime, oranges, and grapefruit–especially in high concentrations often found in household cleaners or essential oils–can cause irritation to your pup's respiratory tract, so keep any fresh citrus fruits out of your dog's reach. You know–just in case.