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.
Are Scented Candles Bad for Dogs? While burning scented candles is generally considered safe for dogs, our canine companions have a far better sense of smell than we do. Downes notes that dogs “may be more likely to be irritated by odors.” She recommends avoiding candles that contain essential oils.
Ingredients such as paraffin wax and lead can be toxic to your dogs. What candle scents are dog-friendly? Scents such as Vanilla, Lavender, and Honeydew Melon are some of the candle scents that are dog-friendly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Eucalyptus essential oil is also toxic to dogs. Steer clear of using any in your home, whether in a diffuser or rubbed on your dog's skin. The oils may also cause contact dermatitis on the skin, and the diffused oils may cause adverse effects if your dog breathes it in or ends up ingesting it somehow.
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.
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.
Use organic wax candles
There are a lot of better options for candles than those made of paraffin wax. Opt for organic wax candles, such as candles that are made from soy, beeswax, vegetable wax, or coconut wax. Not only are these candles better for you and your pet, they're better for the environment!
Inhaling diffused oils can be harmful for your pet and could result in aspiration pneumonia. While you might be able to use a diffuser in a room that's off-limits to your pet, if your furry friend already has a breathing problem, then having one in the house is not a safe option.
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.
Jasmine oil should not be administered to dogs orally. However, dogs can benefit from jasmine oil through inhalation and aromatherapy. With its calming effects and sedative properties, jasmine oil can help nervous and anxious dogs. Start with a small amount of jasmine oil to use with a diffuser.
Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to dogs. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.
Since eucalyptus is toxic to cats and dogs, though, you'll want to avoid the shower plant if you have pets at home.
Citronella is toxic to pets
Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don't have access to any citronella plants in your garden.
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin OR used in diffusers.
Key takeaway. Peppermint oil is toxic to dogs and can cause mild to severe symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and even lethargy.
Lemongrass is toxic to dogs due to the cyanogenic glycosides and oils in the plant. Lemongrass poisoning, however, is rare in canines since dogs must ingest large quantities of the plant to trigger severe symptoms.
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.
Diseases. Improper air flow, affecting olfactory skills, could be caused by diseases such as nasal cavity tumors, local injuries, or specific infections such as canine distemper or parainfluenza.