In modern society, most people aren’t strangers to the use of air fresheners. Whether it’s through an aerosol spray, melted wax, or even burning incense, all are pretty common in the household.
Over the years, more light has been shed on the effect of air fresheners on household pets. While cats and dogs are usually the focal point here, the truth is most air fresheners aren’t great for any pet.
However, if you’re able to avoid products with harmful chemicals, whether it’s a candle or dog shampoo, then you’re in the clear. This article highlights the impact of air fresheners on pet health and what the alternatives look like.
Different Types of Air Fresheners
With sprays, plugins, and melted wax being popular choices, each comes with its own method of diffusing scents. There’s no argument that we all like a clean-smelling home, but that’s easier said than done when it comes to pets. Here are a few things to consider about air fresheners when you have pets around:
- Aerosols offer an instant scent, but this comes with harmful chemicals that rest in the surrounding area for quite a while
- Many scented candles come with volatile organic compounds included
- Plug-ins may come with a slower release time, but they tend to be constant
- Harmful ingredients you want to avoid include formaldehyde, phthalates, toluene and benzene
This can feel like a challenge to navigate, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of alternatives available. If you aren’t sold on the idea already, then you’ll always want to review the potential health risks that can develop for animals.
Potential Health Risks for Pets
In most cases, pet parents only really have to worry about long-term exposure. Nevertheless, the cleaner the environment, the healthier the pet. The chemicals found in many air fresheners can lead to a range of negative health effects for animals.
Surface-level examples include sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. However, if faced with it in the long term, then symptoms could expand into something worse. There have been many linked reports between air fresheners and skin irritations, respiratory conditions, and many other health issues.
Safe alternatives and best practices
Thankfully, with the research that’s out there, you can find numerous alternatives to keeping your home smelling clean. An immediate example would be a pet air freshener that is made from safer ingredients. Other notable examples here include the following:
- All natural and pet-friendly essential oils
- Air purifiers with HEPA filters
- Baking soda as a cleaning agent
- Fragrance-free cleaners
- Soy-based candles
The short answer is that you won’t have a hard time finding what you need. In reality, most popular air freshener brands are no good for your pets.
Endnote
Due diligence as a pet parent means we have to look at all of the fine print in the products we buy. You’d be surprised how many everyday products can be harmful to household pets. Your best bet is to take the time to consider the ingredients in the groceries you bring into your home. In the long run, you and your pet will be thankful for those few extra steps.