Wow I did not know any of this I burn candles , use wax melts and air wick freshness I have 4 cats and a dog Niw I don’t trust anything So if u don’t like the faint smell of animals then don’t come to my house ‍♀️. Burning low quality commercial candles in your home can cause serious illness to you, your family and your pets. Q. “Scented laundry products release carcinogens, study finds” That was the headline from CBS News in 2011. I’m not not sure if it was the candle, but that is the only thing that was different. Paraffin candles cannot be scented with natural essential oils because the petrochemical rich wax will break them down. There is actually nothing truly therapeutic about the scents in these candles and much that is harmful. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. Oil of wintergreen. Ingesting soy for women, can cause estrogen dominance, which has been linked to infertility, menstrual troubles and cancer. Essential oils and chemical compounds create the candle scent. From a health point; Soybeans contain phytoestrogens, which mimic the body’s natural estrogen hormones. When I first realized all the problems with scented (and unscented paraffin based candles) candles, I was really disappointed. It’s all natural and no harm will come to Kitty…just be sure to keep on eye on the water level so it doesn’t completely boil away.”. Many cats spend their entire lives indoors. The health of our loved ones depends on it. See just a few below; Most scented candles are a dangerous cocktail of cancerous chemicals while Essential oils are plant based, typically obtained by a natural distillation process. Thanks for helping people keep their pets safe =) Now I see aromatherapy products for cats, including some with lavender scents. When you burn a scented candle, the same fragrances that make your home smell yummy can make your parrot sick. Eucalyptus oil. I use essential oils for fragrance, but I don’t use a lot. The effects on your pets are magnified because they are smaller and can’t process the toxins as quickly. Lead: If the wick has a metal core, containing lead this could affect the central nervous system. So not only do these candles NOT clean the air, they mask the scent while filling our environment with cancer-causing particles. Scented candles, whether they're made from paraffin wax, soy, or beeswax, should be perfectly fine to use in your home, as long as you practice basic fire safety. Some scent-implicit products can be toxic to dogs, cats and birds. I firmly believe you can live with cats and have a clean, healthy, good smelling home. Under normal circumstances, when a fragranced product is used as intended cats do not have any problems. Scented candles and essential oils are all “up in the air” right now. But, even a visually clean burning candle could still emit significant quantities of other chemicals into the air. Most soy candles on the market are not 100% soy, and contain a high percentage of poisonous paraffin. Cats have sensitive respiratory systems, and birds are especially vulnerable to some candle fumes and scents. My cat just died and we don’t know whey but I have melted a scentsy bar for a few hours since Christmas, and not every day. There are well documented facts on the subject! 6. Who of us haven’t indulged in the pleasure of scented candles in the home? All is not lost. Candles, reed diffusers, room sprays and even fragranced cleaning products normally have no adverse effects on cats. Sadly, the cheaper the candles the more dangerous the ingredients are. Testing by the EPA has confirmed that those candles, and the smoke and soot they give off, contain several dangerous chemicals in significant quantities. That’s scientist speak for they release … It is way to easy for cats to get too close and burn some whiskers, tail or worse! It is really bad for adults to be indoors with paraffin from candles too. Four of these toxins are known to cause cancer. The fragrances approved for candle usage -- whether synthesized or 'natural' -- do not release toxic chemicals. Sales of scented candles have soared in recent years as they have come to represent the ultimate expression of ‘me’ time. Many people enjoy the soft light and scent emitted by burning candles, especially during those cold winter nights. Let’s discuss exactly how the scented candles affect the health of your pet canines. If you are of an age that you might have candles that old, I am, it’s time to replace them. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. I make my own homemade soy candles from 100% organic, non-GMO soy wax flakes. What Makes A Candle Toxic. Lead Core Wicks – These were banned back in 2003 but still worth mentioning. Cinnamon oil. Pennyroyal oil. because children’s lungs are not fully developed and they breathe around 3 times more air per kilogram of body weight than adults. The scary thing is that they say right on the label that they’re “veterinarian-recommended”. We’ll be getting Paw Melts ASAP! I’m a CAT FANCY subscriber and have read numerous articles and books that say all lavender-scented products are toxic to cats and should be avoided. A burning candle can pose a fire safety hazard should your cat knock it over, and some cats are sensitive to the soot and fumes emitted from scented candles. Scents That Are Bad For Cats And Dogs Is Burning Incense Safe Scoochie Pet 261 Lavender Odor Removing Candle 13 Oz Canada Paraffin Candles Can Be Toxic To Pets Ageless Paws Are Essential Oils Safe For Pets Veterinarians EPA Study 2011: Candles and Incense as Potential Sources of Indoor Air Pollution, Huffington Post – Scented Candles Toxic Safer Options, Woman Day – Scented Candles and Air Fresheners Pose Massive Health Risks. According to bird veterinarians, breeders, and resellers, any scented product can cause illness or … Best Candles for Pet Odor to eliminate bad smells Our pets are part of the family, but let’s be honest, they often don’t smell nice. Paraffin wax has become the leading wax for use in cosmetics, food and candle manufacturing because it’s cheap and readily available. One study showed worst-case scenario concentrations of acrolein, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde from candle emissions exceeding EPA-recommended thresholds. Not all candles and air fresheners are created equally. For cats that live their entire lives indoors, it is important to consider their air quality and toxins they are exposed to. Weekly posts about raw cat food, cat products and cat-friendly homes. I burned a candle for most of the day that I bought from a popular candle shop and the next day my cat was very sick and we made an emergency trip to the vet. Phytoestrogens are so strong that a baby consuming only soy formula is consuming the equivalent hormones of 4 birth control pills a day! The American Lung Association has warned that burning paraffin candles can emit toxins (in measurable amounts) into your home’s air. Essential oils and scented candles can be a relaxing addition to your home, but if you have pets, it’s important to exercise caution. Shockingly (at least to us), 7 out of 10 households still burn scented candles for aromatherapy, to make a room or house feel more cozy, or like the veterinary clinic, to mask odors, while supporting a $3.2 billion dollar industry. I have always preferred soy candles. People who burn paraffin candles may be exposing themselves to inflammatory agents and carcinogens which may lead to increased risk of cancer, neurological disease and acute aggravation of existing respiratory diseases such as asthma. Some suggest pine, wintergreen, cinnamon, citrus based oils, peppermint, camphor, clove, bitter almond, garlic, horseradish, mustard, and pennyroyal essential oils are dangerous to dogs and cats. As such, scented candles are a favorite indulgence of many households, but did you know that their fumes are as toxic as cigarettes? Some of the surprising benefits of bee’s wax or coconut wax candles include: As lovers of cats and having a weakness for scented candles, we recommend a product called “Paw Melts” that are fragrant melts made from a blend of 100% certified organic waxes. When you burn paraffin candles, you might as well be inhaling diesel fumes. Location and candle type are the most important things to consider when having candles around your cats. And afterwards, stearic acid, a byproduct of the meatpacking slaughterhouses, is added as a hardener. It might shock you to learn that after burning just a few paraffin candles in your home, the overall effect on the quality of the air in your home could be worse than the air in major cities like Los Angeles! How Does Burning A Candle Hurt My Cat, Dog, Rabbit, or Other Pet? If you want to use candles consider the following: It should go without saying, but if you do light candle,  always make sure they are out of your cats’ reach. But even if you’re using a cleaner organic candle, you’ll want to avoid burning candles at all if you have pets with asthma, bronchitis, or other respiratory issues. Lovely. Studies by air quality engineers at The Florida Department of Health found that the fine particulate matter collected from candle emissions was similar to that of diesel engine exhaust. Most Candles and Air Fresheners are Full of Synthetic Fragrances Ylang Ylang oil. It’s that time of year for keeping mosquitoes at bay, whether you’re on an apartment balcony or in the yard. The animal fat bothered me even more than the poisons in the candle – thanks for writing about this. Scented candles are bad for dogs If the candle is made from paraffin wax, uses a lead wick or synthetic oil. Adding insult to injury, many paraffin candle manufacturers also add animal fats to give their candles a more textured or rustic look. They smell magnificent, come in 12 scents are completely safe for your cats, family and the environment. scented candles! They are not toxic as an inhalant. I can’t get a real answer to my actual real inquiry…I don’t burn candles at all…my question is if I have a candle that’s never been burned or lit, it’s a very strong smell anyway and it’s still in a plastic bag in my closet…it has a very strong scent of it through my livingroom….does just the smell hurt my cat??? Thanks for this information. It will be awhile before I light another candle or use essential oils around pets. https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/soy-alert/the-little-known-soy-gluten-connection/. Safe Candles and Plugins There are safe ways to coexist with the smells we associate with cleanliness and holiday cheer. This is particularly disturbing to me given I’m a vegetarian.”. Humans easily get used to (and build up a tolerance) to a particular “good scent” (like a scented candle, for example) that can overpower cats. what about scentsy bars? For example, Sandie Lee from PawedIn says…, “If you want a welcoming scent in your home, try simmering cloves and cinnamon sticks in a small pot of water. As we now know, paraffin releases soot that causes health issues. In closing if you are looking for a safety why on earth would you consider soy for your family? This has forced the candle industry to create petroleum-based fragrances that are more compatible. Great information! While diet and the litter box has the largest impact on the smell of your home, most people like to use some sort of air fresheners in their home. Having had breast cancer this is not something I would wish for anyone. The toxins released into the air from a burning candle affect everyone in the household, including your pets. Not only is your health affected, but the health of your children and pets as well. Sure, they’ll be a bit more expensive, but they’ll burn clean and generally burn much longer than paraffin based candles. 3) Trichloroethane (EPA classification as Group C, possible human carcinogen) Most pet-friendly candles will be scented since the purpose of using candles for many pet owners, is to reduce pet odor. The dancing of a flame can be irresistible to a cat, and if it is within reach then it can only end badly. Just one of the articles from Pet Care Pro Quarterly, IBPSA’s digital magazine for pet care services professionals. Cats spend most of their time on the ground which is where the toxins collect. This is a serious problem considering that air borne soot can penetrate the deepest areas of the lungs and the lower respiratory tract. 2) Carbon Tetrachloride (EPA classification as Group B2 probable human carcinogen) Since then I have reconsidered the candles I had in my home. For men, soy can lead to a testosterone imbalance, infertility, low sperm count, and increased risk of cancers. If you prefer candles, the increasing popularity of organic wax candles presents us with a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative. A candle with a lead-core wick releases five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds EPA pollution standards for outdoor air, says the CPSC. 9. I did not know this but the candles are going into the garbage today.No wonder my cat and I are stopped up and coughing all the time.As owner of 8 purr-babies and 3 doggies I owe you our health. Plus they’ll be safe for your health and the environment. */, require(["mojo/signup-forms/Loader"], function(L) { L.start({"baseUrl":"mc.us11.list-manage.com","uuid":"ac6e29e61bab2d221c10ad01a","lid":"8ff2d2f1a9"}) }), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Candles and Incense as Potential Sources of Indoor Air Pollution. According to veterinary websites, cinnamon and cloves are particularity toxic to cats because their livers can’t filter them. When these fragrances are added to the mix, a lot more soot and chemicals are released. Subscribe to receive new posts sent to your email. Danger of Cats and Scented Candles No one wants their house to smell like cat. If you have any animals that use a litter box or have bedding, such as a cat, a dog, a ferret or a hamster, you have unpleasant aromas to contend with. The American Lung Association and EPA also warn against using these commercial candles because of the toxins they produce. The National Candle Association refutes these claims, stating in a comment to The Huffington Post: "The safety of scented candles is backed by decades of research, fragrance testing and a history of safe use. Unfortunately, like all candles, even the scented varieties can pose a burn risk for your inquisitive pets and a fire risk for your home and family (in other words, your cat can tip the candle and start or fire or even light themselves on fire). Paraffin is the final residue left from refining crude oil. “I was shocked to learn that not only is burning candles bad for your health and that of your pets, but that they often contain animal fat! Findings from a 2011 EPA study on Candles and Incense as Potential Sources of Indoor Air Pollution, When candles are burned, they emit trace amounts of organic chemicals, including acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acrolein, and naphthalene (Lau et al., 1997). Price Foundation 2. The problem is that most commercial candles are made of paraffin which comes from petroleum, and therefore it’s neither sustainable nor environmentally-friendly. Cats’ sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than humans. Paraffin Wax – A study released by South Carolina State University reports that paraffin & petroleum-based candles release undesirable alkanes. There are plenty of safe options. Fragrance oils soften the wax, so the manufacturers use lead to make the wicks firmer. No one knows for sure if paraffin candles cause cancer, but there are at least 4 cancer-causing chemicals associated with paraffin candles. The Little Known Soy-Gluten Connection – The Weston A. Most of us would answer an emphatic “No!” or “Yuck!” to that question, but like something straight out of a horror movie, you might react in horror to realize that you probably are burning animal fat in your home when you burn paraffin candles. Shuetler said … No more candles unless they are made specifically for cats and I’m still hesitant. Soot, in high levels, can be seen rising from the offending candle. We hope this helped you make ‘scents’ of the need to choose carefully before burning just any candle or melt in your home! The EPA lists these chemicals on their website: 1) Benzene (EPA classification as Group A, known human carcinogen) “Animals are more sensitive in general to poisons, partly due to their … Citrus oil. Open the windows and get fresh air everyday. Thankfully, I found some great alternatives… Alternatives to Scented Candles. - The Purrington Post You will find that the natural essential oils used to scent these candles don’t tend to last as long as traditional scents, but under the circumstances, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. 1. 3. New Study Finds Scented Candles and Air Fresheners Pose Dangerous Health Risks, PureBites® Donates $500,000 Worth of Cat and Dog Treats amid COVID-19, TriNova Premium Natural Litter Box Deodorizer, https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/soy-alert/the-little-known-soy-gluten-connection/, Feline Enthusiast Launches YouTube DIY Woodworking Series, Burn with no toxins, carcinogens or choking soot, Burn up to 50% longer than paraffin candles, Non-toxic, biodegradable, derived from a renewable resource, Use no nasty chemicals to release fragrance. • scented candles (unless they are naturally scented) • gel candles • cheap “aromatherapy” candles from brands like Febreeze and Glade. The curiosity of cats is famous, and when it comes to candles, that is a bad thing. Burning scented candles can release volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde that may increase your cancer risk.. Cats are constantly grooming themselves and are ingesting toxics collected on their hair. This creates a further negative effect on our health. Peppermint oil. Look for candles made from bee’s wax, coconut wax or even soy wax (preferably organic). Pine oils. Check them out here => www.pawmelts.com. There are many ingredients you should look out for while selecting your scented candles, not just for the health of your pooch but for your own safety too. Oil of sweet birch. Candles Safe For Cats Many candles use paraffin wax which produces highly toxic carcinogens when burned such as Limonene (citrus scent), Alpha-pinene (pine scent), Beta-pinene (pine scent), Ethanol, Acetone. Not to mention the fact that pets are usually more sensitive to smell than we are, so that festive, light gingerbread scent we’re enjoying is likely overwhelming to your cat. Read the current issue online here. 4. Many are made with synthetic chemicals that produce indoor pollutants that affect animals. They thought she might be going into liver failure. 7. If a candle uses soy, coconut wax, or vegetable-based wax and an unbleached 100% cotton wick, they are safe for your dog. 5. Thanks for reminding people how sensitive cats are and that toxic exposures can be cumulative.