The toxins released into the air from a burning candle affect everyone in the household, including your pets. As such, scented candles are a favorite indulgence of many households, but did you know that their fumes are as toxic as cigarettes? Only toxic if ingested. Are Scentsy Candle and Oil Scents Toxic to Pets such as Birds, Cats and Dogs? If you are of an age that you might have candles that old, I am, it’s time to replace them. 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! “I’ve refrained from using scented candles in the past because my cats cough from them. This morning, I noticed that she pulled all of the waxed hair out he … read more My cats are fine, And so are we. The toxins released by some of these petroleum-based scents can be even worse than the wax itself! Sadly, the cheaper the candles the more dangerous the ingredients are. *Rule of Thumb: if you can’t pronounce the ingredient or if the Latin name is not mentioned in conjunction with the raw ingredient don’t use it. All is not lost. 8.If you are going to consume soy, fermented is the least harmful state. This article is a complete guide for cat owners to understand how to ensure the safety of their pets because essential oils are becoming an invaluable commodity in our homes. Non-Toxic Candle Alternatives. Once the afflicted woman was no longer exposed to the burning paraffin candles, she experienced spontaneous remission. Open the windows and get fresh air everyday. Weekly posts about raw cat food, cat products and cat-friendly homes. The American Lung Association has warned that burning paraffin candles can emit toxins (in measurable amounts) into your home’s air. Thanks for this information. This is why there are so many different types of candle wax (and candle wax blends) on the market. Cats’ sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than humans. Symptoms can include profuse drooling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and even organ damage. Wax is one of them. A variety of ways you maybe already are incorporating essential oils into your daily life, include herbal remedies, aromatherap… It’s claimed that soy’s greatest advantage is that it is completely renewable however, this is deceptive; all soy processed for soy candles are commercially farmed using high intensity commercial farming practices with fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and chemicals, and ALL from genetically modified GMO seeds. Also, make sure you're using fragrance oils made for candles and not essential oils, as a LOT of essential oils are super toxic to cats. Who of us haven’t indulged in the pleasure of scented candles in the home? Just take a few simple precautions. In fact, the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes. Soy candles produce less soot and toxic chemicals than candles made from paraffin. Most candles are made of paraffin wax, which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned (both are known carcinogens). And afterwards, stearic acid, a byproduct of the meatpacking slaughterhouses, is added as a hardener. This is a serious problem considering that air borne soot can penetrate the deepest areas of the lungs and the lower respiratory tract. I use essential oils for fragrance, but I don’t use a lot. I previously posted about DIY and pet safe cleaners I use in my home. The problem is that most commercial candles are made of paraffin which comes from petroleum, and therefore it’s neither sustainable nor environmentally-friendly. In the sections below we discuss the benefits and disadvantages associated with each style of wax, allowing you to decide which wax is best for you. One study showed worst-case scenario concentrations of acrolein, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde from candle emissions exceeding EPA-recommended thresholds. 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. We found all the non-toxic candles! Since then I have reconsidered the candles I had in my home. 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). I have a Paraffin wax machine and my cat got his paws in it and not the wax is all - Answered by a verified Cat Vet We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. It will be awhile before I light another candle or use essential oils around pets. Should be okay, but for safety's sake it might be a good thing to keep him in the other room. 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. 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. I wasn’t interested in opinions. Wow, throw out the paraffin candles, and your lungs will get busy healing. Even though candle wax or paraffin wax on cats is generally safe if it is ingested, a cat's skin is sensitive to some of the surfactants or carriers that are used to dissolve the fragrance. 3. Paraffin is the final residue left from refining crude oil. (When I look at the list of plants toxic to cats, I wonder how they ever survived!) 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. Sales of scented candles have soared in recent years as they have come to represent the ultimate expression of ‘me’ time. I live in a one-room college appartment with my cat and for a while I used air freshner and an oil diffusor to keep the house smelling good- but then I read up on how extremely dangerous those can be to cats after my cat started acting a bit sick. In closing if you are looking for a safety why on earth would you consider soy for your family? If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to paraffin wax candles, opt for candles made out of natural ingredients. An electric wax warmer is a safe alternative to a burning candle. Candle safety for your dog or cat are scented candle fumes toxic to cats world s 1st parrot safe candle paraffin candles can be toxic to pets are scented candles toxic for dogs Are Scented Candle Fumes Toxic To Cats The Purrington PostAre Scented Candle Fumes Toxic To Cats The Purrington PostAre My Candles … This has forced the candle industry to create petroleum-based fragrances that are more compatible. Having had breast cancer this is not something I would wish for anyone. What Makes A Candle Toxic. I wanted some facts. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. … */, 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. 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). 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. The animal fat bothered me even more than the poisons in the candle – thanks for writing about this. Algae — Found in water, damp porches, basements. 2) Carbon Tetrachloride (EPA classification as Group B2 probable human carcinogen) This creates a further negative effect on our health. The biggest issue with candles are toxic wax and, in the case of older candles, toxic wicks. 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??? They often also contain artificial scents when burned release additional chemicals. Look for candles made from bee’s wax, coconut wax or even soy wax (preferably organic). Cats spend most of their time on the ground which is where the toxins collect. When shopping for beeswax candles, be sure to look for 100% beeswax. 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.”. Soot, in high levels, can be seen rising from the offending candle. https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/soy-alert/the-little-known-soy-gluten-connection/. Essential Oils Fragrance to Avoid Around Dogs & Cats. We hope this helped you make ‘scents’ of the need to choose carefully before burning just any candle or melt in your home! Scented candles and essential oils are all “up in the air” right now. The big issue is that since he took his first lick to clean himself, he has been freaking out like us humans would if we ate something really spicy. Super important Need To Know stuff here. They often also contain artificial scents when burned release additional chemicals. Wellness Mama: Why I Don’t Use Scented Candles. No one knows for sure if paraffin candles cause cancer, but there are at least 4 cancer-causing chemicals associated with paraffin candles. While citronella can be toxic to Max if he eats it, burning the candle should be safe. Sure, they’ll be a bit more expensive, but they’ll burn clean and generally burn much longer than paraffin based candles. Of course continue to make sure the ventilation is good. The EPA lists these chemicals on their website: 1) Benzene (EPA classification as Group A, known human carcinogen) When a candle is burning, it draws on the wax and wick to stay alight. It is focused on cats, however quite obviously the deadly toxins from candles applies to not only cats, but dogs, birds, ferrets…humans! Many cat owners don’t realize that some common household cleaners like kitchen and bath surface cleaners, carpet cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners can be toxic to cats. I make my own homemade soy candles from 100% organic, non-GMO soy wax flakes. a quick google of 'scented candles and cats' suggest the answer is very much yes, and could account for a fair number of mysterious illnesses in our pets - … If you prefer candles, the increasing popularity of organic wax candles presents us with a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative. No more candles unless they are made specifically for cats and I’m still hesitant. 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. Not only is your health affected, but the health of your children and pets as well. So I have no idea what I'm burning in my home with my dogs and cat. This is not a topic that is up in the air. 9. 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. Aspirin, other Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products (ibuprofen, etc) Acetaminophen . My cat - despite seeing candles for about a year now - was apparently playing with the candle on the kitchen counter and it tipped, getting a decent amount on the back of its rear left paw. Even though the smoke is cleaner, it’s a good idea to minimize your intake of any type of smoke. Spilled wax, singed whiskers…they’re par for the course! It’s made from the sludge in the bottom of a barrel of oil which is then bleached by adding dioxin and other poisonous chemicals and then texturized with a chemical called acrolyn. Beeswax candles also burn longer than paraffin wax candles and they don’t drip. My cat dipped her tail in candle wax candle last night. Lead Core Wicks – These were banned back in 2003 but still worth mentioning. As lovers of cats and having a weakness for scented candles, we recommend a product called “Paw Melts” … Most candles are made with paraffin wax that can increase VOCS inside your indoor air. According to info posted on the NCA website: Refined paraffin wax is non-toxic and is actually approved by the USDA for use in food products, as well as cosmetics and some medical applications. 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. Check them out here => www.pawmelts.com. Did you also know that emissions in the home are estimated to stick around for up to 10 hours after extinguishing a candle? Soy, beeswax and coconut wax candles do not burn with toxins and are environmentally friendly as well. 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 ‍♀️. They burn cleanly and safely without risk. Depending on what the candle and its wick are made of, it could be emitting toxins into your home environment, and that’s bad for your dog or cat as well as for you. Testing by the EPA has confirmed that those candles, and the smoke and soot they give off, contain several dangerous chemicals in significant quantities. If you love to burn candles and you also own a pet, then you know that the two don’t always go well together. Even the ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to cats so there must be some merit to the claim. New Study Finds Scented Candles and Air Fresheners Pose Dangerous Health Risks, https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/soy-alert/the-little-known-soy-gluten-connection/, KittySpring: A non-electric, whisker-friendly fountain, Introducing the PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder, Why You Shouldn’t Underestimate Grieving the Loss …, TriNova Premium Natural Litter Box Deodorizer, SiftEase – A Clever New Litterbox Solution, 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. Q. 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. We’ll be getting Paw Melts ASAP! Soot. 6. 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. Diffuser Sticks – Diffuser sticks are another popular way to have the fresh scent of oils fill the air in your home. What's Wrong With My Candles? We tried swaddling her and rubbing ice into it, but she cried like it hurt. Another study by Dutch scientists, where they measured the air particles in churches that burned candles for up to nine hours at a time, found 10 times as many damaging free radicals (molecules that can cause cancer) in the air inside the churches as they did in the air beside a highway. Sadly, the cheaper the candles the more dangerous the ingredients are. Adding insult to injury, many paraffin candle manufacturers also add animal fats to give their candles a more textured or rustic look. They can infuse a room with delicious fragrance, or add a romantic ambiance to a meal and of course make bath time more relaxing and luxurious. This is to ensure that you are gentle enough not to hurt your cat’s delicate skin. Paraffin candles cannot be scented with natural essential oils because the petrochemical rich wax will break them down. 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. Toxic to dogs. By Stephen Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.N., C.N.S. Burning low quality commercial candles in your home can cause serious illness to you, your family and your pets. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as … From a health point; Soybeans contain phytoestrogens, which mimic the body’s natural estrogen hormones. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width:100%;} 2. Candles Safe For Cats Organic wax candles are a great alternative to the commercial paraffin candles and are safe for you and your cat. There are well documented facts on the subject! Candles are often associated with wellness, but the reality is exactly the opposite. They smell magnificent, come in 12 scents are completely safe for your cats, family and the environment. The health of our loved ones depends on it. It's a muggy, summer evening and you're getting eaten up by mosquitoes. It is way to easy for cats to get too close and burn some whiskers, tail or worse! The scary thing is that they say right on the label that they’re “veterinarian-recommended”. 5. 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