Are your Air Fresheners TOXIC to your Pets?
Are Your Air Fresheners Toxic to Your Pets?
You may have heard that certain air fresheners can potentially be toxic to pets, but just how true is that? It is, in fact, very true! Air fresheners like Febreze, aerosol sprays and plugs in can be detrimental to your pet’s health. Don’t worry, there are alternatives that you can use to keep your home smelling great and keep your pets healthy!
Why Air Fresheners are Dangerous
Conventional air fresheners that you find in stores are full of synthetic chemicals. These chemicals can be detrimental to our health, especially when it is sprayed into the air it can be breathed in.
Cats are extra sensitive to these chemicals when compared to humans and dogs. Their detox system is especially sensitive, so it’s best to use alternative methods of making your home smell great.
Alternative Air Fresheners
Baking: The easiest way to make your home smell great is to bake something! Taking some time to make your favorite treats can be a nice stress relief for you and makes your house smell amazing.
Fake Bake: If you don’t want to bake something, you can also do a “fake bake.” A pot of water on low heat with some spices sprinkled in spreads smells wonderfully. Cinnamon, peppermint, vanilla and other natural spices or liquid extracts are excellent, safe choices and smell great.
Pet Safe non-toxic air freshener alternative: The company Enviroscent makes a great quality earth friendly, pet and human safe air freshener which truly works! https://enviroscent.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorCkjfJV6Xxxu-xGq17BU16yil7fJMNvxdf9pSnAeV9IsCOED6W
Diffuse Essential Oils: Diffusing essential oils can be a great and safe option, however it is important to know which essential oils are safe for pets, and to always ensure you run your essentila oil diffuser in a large open room. It is also very important that you only use "therapeutic-grade" pure essentials oils, avoid any synthetic essential oils, as those even on the below safe list could still be toxic to your pets!
Here’s a list of some of our favorite essential oils that are safe to use with both dogs or cats.
- Lavender Oil Lavandula angustifolia
- Chamomile Oil Chamaemelum nobile
- Cedarwood Oil Juniperus virginiana
- Helichrysum Oil Helichrysum italicum
- Lemon Oil Citrus limonum – do not overuse
- Peppermint Oi Mentha xpiperita – do not overuse
- Petitgrain Oil Citrus aurantium
- Frankincense Oil Boswellia carterii
- Turmeric Oil Curcuma longa
- Orange Oil Citrus sinensis – do not overuse
Essential Oils to Avoid for Dogs
While many essential oils are safe for dogs, some should be avoided:
- Wintergreen Oil Gaultheria fragrantissima
- Australian Tea Tree Oil Melaleuca alternifolia (*Please see below for additional information on Tee Tree Oil)
- Birch Oil Betula lenta
Essential Oils to Avoid for Cats
Cats are particularly sensitive to certain essential oils and should not be exposed to them:
- Basil Oil Ocimum basilicum
- Bergamot Oil Citrus aurantium var. bergamia
- Grapefruit Oil Citrus paradisi
- Lime Oil Citrus aurantiifolia
- Tangerine Oil Citrus reticulata
- Birch Oil Betula lenta
- Cinnamon Oil Cinnamomum zeylanicum
- Clove Oil Syzygium aromaticum
- Fennel Oil Foeniculum Vulgare
- Australian Tea Tree Oil Melaleuca alternifolia (*Please see below for additional information on Tee Tree Oil)
- Oregano Oil Origanum vulgare
- Thyme Oil Thymus vulgaris
- Rosemary Oil Rosmarinus officinalis
- Spearmint Oil Mentha spicata
- Wintergreen Oil Gaultheria fragrantissima
Tea Tree Oil: Australian Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia vs New Zealand Tea Tree Leptospermum scoparium
Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil has been recently in the limelight regarding the oil’s toxicity. The following are possible reactions to Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia (Holland, 2020):
- Depressed, lethargic, breathing, and respiratory difficulties
- Drying, whining, panting, salivating, drooling, rubbing face/body
- Skin irritation: rash, welts, itching, scratching
- Inability to walk (stumbling, stupor-type reaction)
- Muscle weakness, body tremors, paralysis
- Low body temperature
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Loss of consciousness, seizures
Candles: You may also use candles or candle melts throughout your home. It is important that those candles however, are made with all-natural ingredients like pure essential oils. Candles with synthetic ingredients can release chemicals in the air which is harmful for yor pets. Here is a candle company which I have personally used and have come to trust over the years: https://lulucandles.com/
Keep giving your pets the best of the natural life!
~PetCoachApril
April Arguin A.S., C.P.N., M.P.H