If You Burn Candles And Use Air Fresheners, You Can Actually Harm Your Dog's Health

Candles, diffusers, incense burners, and air fresheners are all great ways to keep your home smelling fresh. 75% of American homes have them. But these scented products can actually lead to health problems in dogs!

Candles

Dogs are clumsy, and they’re curious. The chances of your dog knocking over a candle and hurting themselves – or, you know, burning the house down – are not worth the risk of burning them!

Scents

Dogs have much more sensitive bodies and noses than we do. The synthetic components used in many scented products can fill a dog’s lungs with toxins, leading to nerve, reproductive, and lung issues. These toxins can also easily enter the bloodstream and cause damage, and they are often carcinogenic, too.

Chemicals To Avoid

Which chemicals are bad for dogs? Here’s a list:

• Toluene, present in candle soot and harmful to the nervous system
• Acrolein, an irritating carcinogen
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which react with the air to make toxic pollutants in very small particles
• Paraffin, a petroleum waste wax that gives off carcinogenic fumes
• Benzenes, found in some candle soot
• Acetaldehyde, an irritating carcinogen
• 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, which has been scientifically proven to increase liver cancer and lung problem risk
• Lead, which is the core of some wicks and enters the air when burned
• Naphthalene, which can lead to tissue problems, inflammation, and even cancer
• Formaldehyde, an irritating carcinogen

Keeping Your Home Scent-Free But Fresh

If you can’t use synthetic scents, then how can you prevent a stink from overwhelming your home? Here’s how!

• Use natural beeswax candles
• Use air purifiers
• Keep your windows open
• Opt for essential oil scents

Dogs can be stinky, and they can make other things stink – but be smart in finding ways to alleviate the odor!

Feature Image Source: Pixabay