Can air freshener harm your dog? Truth (Essential Oils)

Many people use air freshener to perfume the home, but can this product harm the dog? Let’s find out together.

Who owns a dog very often to perfume home use a air freshener, there are many types. In fact, there are those sprays, those that plug into the socket, essential oil diffusers, scented candles or incense burners.

But if ours four-legged friend is exposed to one of these deodorants can you feel bad? Let’s find out together, for each deodorant, what can happen to trust.

Environmental deodorants are bad for the dog: the various diffusers

Deodorants that spray fragrances and change the smell of your home usually consist of chemicals. These substances are often simply called VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The term VOC includes a wide range of substances, some natural and some not. These include ethanol (alcohol), acetone and formaldehyde. These substances are essential for i deodorants, as they help to distribute perfumes quickly and easily in the room.

Nonetheless they can be dangerous to the health of both humans and dogs and animals in general. Here are some symptoms that some people who have been in contact with air fresheners have presented:

• Eye irritation
• Respiratory problems
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Problems with memory

What makes i electric air fresheners particularly harmful to humans pets is their position at dog height, as they are inserted into electrical outlets. In this way a dog could inhale more chemicals than a person, especially if he spends most of his time in a room where he is installed.

Furthermore i our four-legged friends they are also more sensitive to some of the ingredients, such as ethanol. Ethanol is a type of alcohol toxic to dogs even in relatively small quantities. Ethanol poisoning can be fatal if left untreated. Other VOCs present in the electric air freshener which can have unpleasant side effects are:

• Formaldehyde: Studies have shown that the inhalation of formaldehyde in sufficient quantities it could cause cancer.
• Naphthalene: this chemical is toxic to humans and animals and is used as a pesticide, but it is also found in air fresheners.

Over 100 different chemicals are used in the deodorants for the environment and many of them can have unpleasant consequences for both human and animal health.

Spray deodorants

Also spray deodorants they contain chemicals such as in electric air fresheners, but are generally used less intensively. Nonetheless, if inhaled they can still create damage to our furry friend.

Pets should never be in a room where spray deodorant is used as the fragrance will remain for some time and can still be inhaled together with harmful chemicals.

Essential oils or incense

Many people looking for alternatives to chemical deodorants and scented candles switch to burners or speakers that they use essential oils or incense. Although these products are natural or organic, many of the most popular fragrances are toxic to dogs.

Scented candles

The scented candles they contain not only VOCs but also other dangerous substances. In fact, many candles are made with paraffin wax which, once burned, releases chemicals known to cause cancer.

The wick can also be a source of danger. Some wicks contain or are wrapped in metal. When burned they emit toxic smoke.

So to be completely safe, it would be best not to use any of these forms of air fresheners in the presence of yours dog.

How to perfume the home without the use of air freshener

There are several natural ways to perfume your home and do not cause damage to the your furry friend. The simplest and cheapest solution is to open a window and let in fresh air. This will circulate stale air and remove odors.

If opening a window is not an option, you can invest in an air purifier that will remove allergens and other pollutants from the air.

Because the sofas can accumulate bad smells, wash them regularly with a detergent for petsFurthermore, it would also be advisable to wash the trusted bed.

Even the plants pets help to purify the air naturally and some give off a pleasant scent, but it is necessary to check that it is not a toxic plant for the dog.

Another old-fashioned remedy useful for making your home perfumed is baking soda as it absorbs odors. Then, place an open baking soda box in a room, out of reach, will help rid the air of bad smells. In addition, you can also use it on carpets: sprinkle the baking soda, leave it on for 15-20 minutes and remove the excess.