Chloe Adams
Candles are a great way to create a cozy ambiance and fill your home with pleasant fragrances. However, if you're a dog owner, you may be concerned about the potential impact of candle scents on your furry friend's health and wellbeing. Dogs have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, with up to 300 million olfactory receptors compared to 6 million in humans, making their sense of smell about 10,000 times more acute. This raises important questions about the safety of scented candles when dogs are present in the home. While most candles are generally safe for dogs, certain candle ingredients and fragrances can pose risks, from respiratory issues to serious health problems if ingested. So, it's crucial for dog owners to be mindful of these potential hazards and make informed choices when selecting and using scented candles in their homes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Candles with vegetable wax, soy, or beeswax are safer than paraffin wax. |
| Scents | Natural scents like lavender, vanilla, chamomile, and ginger are safer than artificial scents or heavy perfumes. |
| Health Risks | Exposure to certain scents or ingestion of candle wax may cause watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, and even liver failure in dogs. |
| Alternatives | Flameless candles, air diffusers/fresheners, natural odor neutralizers, and air purifiers are safer alternatives to scented candles. |
| Precautions | Keep candles out of a dog's reach, avoid leaving candles unattended, and opt for pet-friendly or dog-safe essential oils. |
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What You'll Learn
Toxicity of scented candles for dogs
While candles can create a cosy atmosphere and eliminate unwanted odours, some can be harmful to dogs. Dogs have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, with up to 300 million olfactory receptors compared to 6 million in humans. This means that dogs can be extremely sensitive to even faint smells in the air.
Some candles contain artificial scents, heavy perfumes, or essential oils that can be toxic to dogs if ingested, inhaled, or if they come into contact with their skin. Essential oils such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil can cause serious health issues in dogs, including vomiting, diarrhoea, and even liver failure if ingested. Burning candles can also release fumes that can irritate a dog's respiratory system, leading to watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and breathing difficulties.
However, not all candles are unsafe for dogs. Pet-friendly scented candles made with natural ingredients like vanilla, lavender, chamomile, and ginger oils are generally considered safe. Soy candles, in particular, are softer and pose less risk if ingested. It is still important to keep candles out of your dog's reach to prevent accidental burns and ingestion of candle wax, wicks, or metal parts.
To minimise the risk of toxicity to your dog, choose pet-friendly candles with natural ingredients, avoid paraffin candles, and opt for flameless candles or use a warming plate to enjoy the scent without the smoke or danger of flames. Always supervise your dog when candles are lit, and ensure they have the option to leave the room if they are sensitive to the scent.
If you notice any signs of toxicity in your dog, such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, vomiting, diarrhoea, or lethargy, remove them from the scented area and seek veterinary advice if symptoms persist or are severe.
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Respiratory issues caused by candles
Dogs have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, with up to 300 million olfactory receptors compared to 6 million in humans. This means that dogs can be extremely sensitive to faint smells, and chemicals in scented candles can have an amplified effect on them.
Some candles contain artificial scents or heavy perfumes, which have been linked to respiratory issues in dogs. Burning candles can release fumes that can be harmful to a dog's respiratory system if inhaled in large quantities. This can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, causing issues such as coughing, sneezing, and breathing difficulties. In some cases, candles can even cause asthma and coughing fits in dogs.
To minimize the impact on your dog's respiratory health, opt for candles made from vegetable wax, soy, or beeswax, which are safer than paraffin wax. Avoid candles with essential oils, as these can be toxic to dogs if inhaled or ingested. Instead, choose pet-friendly scented candles with natural scents like lavender, vanilla, chamomile, or ginger. Keep candles out of your dog's reach and never leave them unattended with a lit candle.
If you notice any signs of respiratory distress in your dog, such as coughing, sneezing, or watery eyes, blow out the candle and move your dog to fresh air. For more serious symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, seek veterinary advice immediately.
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Safe alternatives to scented candles
Scented candles may be nice to have, but they are a source of indoor air pollution and can be toxic to dogs. They put off chemicals that are considered just as dangerous as second-hand smoke. Some safe alternatives to scented candles are:
Flameless candles
Battery-operated or LED flameless candles are much safer for dogs and give the same relaxing glow as regular candles.
Air diffusers
Air diffusers are a great option for pet parents who still want their home to smell nice. You can also use your diffuser to give your dog an aromatherapy session. There are many pet-friendly options on the market.
Natural odor neutralizers
Home recipes for neutralizing odors, such as a baking soda solution, can also work well if you need to disguise a particular smell.
Air purifier
Instead of replacing certain smells with new ones, an air purifier can filter and deodorize the air.
Pet-safe incense
If you have an animal, make sure you use pet-safe incense. Stovetop potpourri is a fun way to make your house smell amazing. All you have to do is create a potpourri mix and add it to a pot of boiling water on your stove. You can make this stovetop potpourri with dried fruit or even fresh fruit like cranberries, oranges, apples, and lemons. You could add spices like ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Or natural elements like lavender, rose petals, pine needles, pine cones, and chamomile.
Electric wax warmers
Electric wax warmers are a great alternative to scented candles without all of the pollution. You can easily find wax melts made from renewable waxes with natural fragrances like essential oils.
Unscented candles
Unscented candles likely don't contain essential oils or synthetic scents, so they're much less likely to be toxic to your dog. Dr. Ostermeier says candles with vegetable wax, soy, or beeswax are much safer than paraffin wax.
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How to prevent dogs from eating candles
Dogs may be attracted to eating candles for several reasons, from curiosity about the enticing scent to the fun texture of the wax. Many scented candles smell like food, which can tempt your dog to take a bite. For example, candles with vanilla, cinnamon, or fruity fragrances may appeal to your dog's nose. In other cases, boredom or stress might lead your dog to chew on items they wouldn't typically consider food.
To prevent your dog from eating candle wax, consider the following strategies:
- Keep candles in high places or closed cabinets where your dog can't reach or jump up to them.
- Avoid leaving your dog unattended in a room with burning candles.
- Opt for flameless LED candles or battery-operated candles to create a relaxing and safe ambiance.
- Provide appropriate chew toys or treats to redirect your dog's chewing behavior away from candles and other non-food items.
If your dog does eat candle wax, it's important to act calmly and follow these steps:
- Inspect the area to determine how much wax your dog consumed.
- Identify the type of candle your dog ate, noting whether it was made with natural wax (like soy or beeswax) or paraffin, and whether it was scented or unscented.
- Check for signs of discomfort such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, or excessive drooling, as these could indicate irritation or blockage.
- Prevent further consumption by removing any remaining pieces of the candle.
While wax candles made from paraffin, beeswax, or soy are typically not poisonous to dogs, large pieces may cause intestinal blockage. Soy-based candles are softer and pose less of a risk. The most dangerous parts of candles are often the wicks and metal parts, which can cause mechanical blockages or injuries if ingested.
Some candles may contain harmful additives, fragrances, or essential oils that can be toxic to dogs if ingested, inhaled, or if they come into contact with their skin. These include various types of mint, citrus, cinnamon, tea tree, pine, and ylang-ylang. If you're unsure about the toxicity of the candle, contact your veterinarian immediately and bring any remaining pieces of the candle and its packaging.
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Pet-friendly scented candles
Scented candles can be dangerous for dogs as they contain essential oils, which are highly concentrated plant extracts. These oils can be toxic if ingested, inhaled, or if they come into contact with a dog's skin. Burning candles release fumes that can be harmful to a dog's respiratory system if inhaled in large quantities, leading to irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and causing respiratory issues such as coughing, sneezing, and breathing difficulties.
However, not all candles are unsafe for dogs, and there are pet-friendly scented candles available. Pet owners no longer need to compromise and can now choose from a range of safe and healthy scented candles, wax melts, and other scented products. These candles are made from vegetable wax, soy, or beeswax, and are safer than paraffin wax. They often contain non-toxic ingredients that are safe for pets and are better for the environment. For example, LUMI Candles PH offers scented candles made from 100% soy wax, which are organic, safe, and non-toxic for humans, dogs, and the environment. They have a range of pleasant scents, including vanilla, caramel, and fruity fragrances.
When choosing a scented candle, it is important to read the label and ensure it is non-toxic for dogs. Flameless candles are also a safer option for dogs, as they provide the same relaxing glow without the risk of fumes or burns. Air diffusers and fresheners are another alternative, offering pet-friendly options to deodorize your home while providing aromatherapy for your dog. Natural odor neutralizers, such as a baking soda solution, can also be effective in disguising unpleasant smells.
It is always good practice to keep candles out of a dog's reach and to never leave them unattended with a lit candle. If your dog shows any signs of negative reactions, such as watery eyes, sneezing, or coughing, blow out the candle and move them to fresh air. Consult a veterinarian before using any oils or scented products around your dog to ensure their safety and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Scented candles are generally safe for dogs as long as pet-friendly scents are chosen, harmful essential oils are avoided, and candles are kept out of their reach. However, dogs have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, so fumes and certain essential oils can irritate their eyes, nose, and throat, and cause respiratory issues.
Flameless candles, air diffusers, natural odour neutralizers, and air purifiers are some pet-friendly alternatives to scented candles.
If your dog eats a candle, don't panic. Common candle waxes such as soy, paraffin, and beeswax are non-toxic and will usually pass safely through their digestive system. However, if your dog has swallowed the wick or any metal parts, it may require an emergency visit to the vet.
