The answer is no, pets cannot use plug-in air fresheners. Make sure to ventilate the area if you use them.
What odors are poisonous to dogs?
Volatile organic molecules, or essential oils, are concentrated liquids that come from plants. In addition to being used in cleaning goods, food and drink flavorings, herbal treatments, perfumes, personal care products, and liquid potpourris used as house air fresheners and fragrances, essential oils have gained popularity for their usage in aromatherapy and alternative medicine.
Numerous liquid potpourri items and essential oils are harmful to dogs, including the oils of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang. It’s possible for skin contact and ingestion to be harmful.
How hazardous are essential oils and liquid potpourri to dogs?
Chemicals in essential oils and liquid potpourris are quickly absorbed through the skin or mouth cavity. The liver is involved in the metabolism of several of these substances. With liver disease, puppies and dogs are more vulnerable to their consequences. While exposure to small doses of essential oils and liquid potpourri frequently merely causes stomach discomfort, some concentrated oils, such pennyroyal oil and tea tree oil, can have negative effects on the liver and nervous system. Additionally irritating or burning the skin and mouth are liquid potpourri and various essential oils.
A dog could be harmed by just a few licks or a small amount on the skin.
Depending on the components in a particular product and how the dog is exposed, only a few licks or a small amount on the skin could be dangerous to a dog.
What are the signs of essential oil or liquid potpourri poisoning?
signs could be:
- perfume or fragrance on the skin, hair, or breath
- having trouble breathing
- inability to walk or an unsteady gait
- drooling
- weakness or sluggishness
- muscles trembling
- pawing at one’s face or mouth
- Burns or redness on the skin, gums, tongue, or lips
- vomiting (you may detect the smell of essential oils in the vomit)
What should I do if I suspect that my dog has been exposed to essential oils or liquid potpourri?
It is crucial to diagnose and treat patients quickly. Call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680), a 24-hour animal poison control center, right away if you think your dog has consumed or came into contact with essential oils or liquid potpourri. The prognosis and outcome for your dog will be better the earlier you get treatment.
Please be aware:
- Don’t make your dog throw up or give him activated charcoal. This could make your dog’s condition worse.
- Take the product packaging with you to the veterinarian clinic in a sealed container.
- Use hand dishwashing detergent to swiftly wash off any product that may be on the skin or fur.
How are essential oil or liquid potpourri poisonings treated, and what is the prognosis?
Your veterinarian will quickly and forcefully treat you to reduce the hazardous effects of ingesting essential oils. Treatment will be based on such symptoms if clinical signs have emerged.
Blood tests will be done by your veterinarian to see if the kidneys and liver have been impacted. If there are chemical burns in the mouth or esophagus, intravenous (IV) fluids may be utilized for hydration, and a soft diet or feeding tube may be required. Other therapies could involve anti-vomiting drugs, stomach protectors, painkillers, antibiotics, and liver protectors.
Recovery may be dependent on the particular oils consumed because certain types of oils are more harmful than others. Although there is no cure for this poisoning, most dogs can survive with early diagnosis and supportive care.
How can I prevent my dog from being exposed to essential oils and liquid potpourri?
Always keep liquid potpourri items and essential oils out of dogs’ reach. Never leave opened essential oils or simmering potpourri unattended since curious animals might want to inspect the sweet-smelling substances. Additionally, before administering any essential oils or other herbal products to your pet, seek the advice of a veterinarian. Never use an essential oil that has been concentrated on your pet!
Is it safe to use a diffuser near my dog?
You might have recently noticed postings or articles on social media about essential oils, oil diffusers, and the risk they could cause to your dogs. For a very long time, essential oils have been a well-liked at-home treatment for a variety of illnesses, such as nasal congestion, anxiety, painful muscles, and skin disorders. There has been an increase in concern about how these oils may harm indoor animals as a result of the growing popularity of oil diffusers, a convenient way to introduce these oils into your house. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) therefore seeks to clarify this hot topic.
Are essential oils potentially harmful for your pets? And if so, what precautions should pet parents be taking?
As we frequently see, there is a little more to the response than a straightforward “yes” or “no.”
Essential oils can definitely pose a risk to pets when they are 100% concentrated. Health issues can arise in dogs and cats who have come into contact with oils, walked through them, had some on their coats, or had oils applied directly to them.
These signs include:
- shakiness when walking
- Depression
- decreased body temperature (in severe cases)
If a pet consumes concentrated essential oils, you can also notice sadness, diarrhea, and vomiting in the animal.
Are some oils/scents more dangerous than others?
It’s possible that some oils are more dangerous than others. However, a number of things, like the product’s mix-ins and concentration level, have an impact on this. For instance, whereas another oil may require more or less, concentrated types of tea tree oil (also known as melaleuca oil) may harm your dogs with just seven or eight drops. It is preferable to absolutely avoid applying essential oils to your pet directly due to the wide range in concentration, formulation, and potential quality of these substances. To avoid possible ingestion, you should also keep any oils up and out of the reach of paws.
So, does that mean you should return your diffuser?
The APCC says no, not always. It shouldn’t be a problem to use an oil diffuser for a brief length of time in a safe location that neither your dog nor cat can access.
However, it might be advisable to completely avoid using one if your pet has a history of breathing issues. Remember that your pets’ sense of smell is far more acute than ours, so something that seems light to us could be overwhelming to them.
If you decide to maintain your diffuser, make sure it is placed in a location where your pet cannot knock it over and perhaps come into contact with the oils. Always err on the side of caution and “pet-proof your space” to prevent exposing your pets to harmful toxins.
It is advised to avoid using an essential oil diffuser in your home if you have birds, even though the same issues with essential oils apply to other pets including rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Because birds’ respiratory systems are so delicate, using a diffuser could cause them to have more severe issues.
Contact your veterinarian or the APCC at (888) 426-4435 right once if you suspect your pet has consumed or been exposed to a potentially hazardous substance. Download the APCC Mobile App or browse our comprehensive list of hazardous household goods to learn more about protecting your pets from toxins.
Are dogs safe to use Air Wick plug-ins?
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions concerning our Room Spray products and their responses.
Only filtered air is used in Air Wick aerosol room sprays to disperse the scent in a fine mist.
The amount of product sprayed, the area’s airflow, and the presence of odor in the air before employing the product all affect how long a fragrance lasts.
Since the product will disperse more quickly in the open air, its effectiveness would be reduced outside.
The answer is that the product is safe to use around children and pets when used as advised (except birds). But this product shouldn’t be applied directly to animals. For more details, see the safety required question below.
WARNING: PRESSURE IS ON THE CONTENTS. eye irritation possible. Eliminate contact with the skin, eyes, and clothing. Don’t overspray in small spaces. AVOID breathing in spray. DO NOT consume. AVOID spraying food directly. Skin contact that is prolonged or frequent can result in an allergic reaction. NEVER spray in someone’s face. IF HEATED, CONTAINER MAY EXPLODE. DO NOT pierce the container or burn it. The container may rupture if exposed to heat or stored at temperatures above 120F. On firm surfaces, slippery When sprayed, some hard surfaces could become damp. Avoid falling or slipping. Spray away from the body and face. If in the eyes, flush them with water. Continue rinsing your eyes for at least 15 minutes after removing any contact lenses. Seek medical attention if you experience irritation. Wash the area with soap and water if it is on skin. Seek medical attention if you experience irritation. If an adverse reaction occurs, stop using the medication right once and seek medical help. After handling, wash your hands. Call a Poison Control Center or a doctor right away if you ingest something. DON’T make someone throw up.
Are pets safe to use bath and body plug-ins?
Wallflowers contain compounds that aren’t the best to be breathing in your home, and the same is true for your pets.
Are Wallflower Air Fresheners Toxic to Me and My Family?
Wallflowers may be dangerous to you and your family if inhaled because they include substances including formaldehyde, phthalates, and VOCs. The signs of air freshener poisoning can include allergy symptoms, hormonal imbalances, coughing, upset stomach, and more. Air freshener smells can cause skin irritation and rashes when they come in contact with the skin. Additionally, if you have young children, be aware that the worst air fresheners for them to consume are plug-in air fresheners.
How Do Wallflowers Air Fresheners Affect Cats?
The essential oils used in air fresheners like Bath & Body Works Wallflowers, according to PetMD, can be extremely hazardous to cats. It is crucial that none of your animals, including your cat, consume the air freshener. Any air freshener, including Wallflower, when ingested by cats, can lead to neurological issues or feline asthma.
Will Bath & Body Works Wallflowers Hurt My Dog?
Dogs are the same way. Air freshener inhalation can cause neurological disorders in dogs, just like it can in cats. According to PetMD, these signs can include tremors, weakness, and unsteadiness. Dogs who breathe in air fresheners may potentially develop asthma and allergies.
Does Febreze spray harm dogs?
ASPCA veterinary toxicology experts believe that Febreze fabric freshener products are safe for use in households with pets, dispelling myths that the fabric freshener causes serious disease or death in pets.
Are candles harmful to canines?
It comes as no surprise that dogs and other animals may be drawn to the enticing scents of scented candles, just as humans are. Dogs have a keen sense of smell, and they might be attracted to the enticing aromas of the delicious-smelling candles you keep burning throughout your house.
But before you get too concerned, candles generally don’t represent a serious health danger to dogs. While it’s best to keep candles, especially lit ones, out of your pet’s reach, some candles can help get rid of unpleasant pet scents and have other advantages like aromatherapy and improved relaxation.
Do you want to know if candles are dangerous for dogs? No, is the swift response. However, there are alternative ways to maintain your area feeling lovely and welcoming if you’re worried about an open flame near an active dog.
Which essential oils, when diffused, are harmful to dogs?
The effects of essential oils used in diffusers on pets have been the subject of numerous news stories over the past few weeks.
The concentrated liquids found in plants are called essential oils. They are widely used in house air fresheners, alternative medicine, cleaning goods, personal care items, and aromatherapy.
Diffusers for essential oils are widely used by people to enhance their health. While eucalyptus and peppermint oils help to clear a stuffy nose when you have a cold, lavender is supposed to aid in relaxation and sleep.
When essential oils come into close contact with the skin, they can cause chemical burns in both people and pets. Pets that lick up spills of these oils risk getting severe burns and other side effects. Many essential oils are highly irritating to cats, and even a few licks can be dangerous.
Numerous essential oils are poisonous to animals, including eucalyptus, tea tree, cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen, and ylang ylang. These are harmful whether you apply them to your skin or use them in diffusers.
Since diffusers employ water vapor to disperse minute oil droplets into the air, oil from them can still be dangerous. If the diffuser is utilized in a small area or if it is used for an extended period of time, aspiration pneumonia can result from inhaling diffused oils, in addition to other hazardous effects.
The best course of action if you’re using a diffuser at home is to keep it out of reach of your pet and ask your vet what kinds of oils are safe to use. However, using a diffuser anyplace in the house is not a smart idea if you have a pet with breathing difficulties.
If you have curious cats, pet birds, or kittens in your home, you might want to think twice about using an oil diffuser. Due to their delicate respiratory systems, birds are adversely impacted by toxins breathed. Curious cats and kittens may unintentionally tip the diffuser over, spilling the oil. There may be dangerous side effects if the oil licks the cat or gets on the cat’s fur (which the cat may then swallow during grooming).
Remember that dogs and cats are considerably more sensitive to smells than humans are—a dog’s sense of smell is 1,000–10,000 times better than ours! A dog or cat may find a scent overpowering that humans might consider to be modest. Therefore, even while the essential oil you’re using might not be hazardous to pets, it might be too much for them.
If your pet receives oil on its skin or fur, wash it off with hand dishwashing soap as soon as you can. Take your pet to the vet immediately away if you suspect they may have taken essential oils or are reacting to being around essential oil fumes.
Always keep curious dogs away from all essential oils. Never leave essential oils alone since your pet can be tempted by sweet-smelling liquids. Never administer essential oils to your pet without first seeking advice from a veterinarian. Consult your veterinarian to determine whether the oil you are using in your diffuser could hurt your pet.
Note: This practice has a license to utilize this content, which was published by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.), for our clients’ individual use. Without Lifelearn’s prior written consent, no copies may be made, printed, or distributed further. Please be aware that the news material provided here is NOT a replacement for a veterinarian’s professional consultation and/or clinical evaluation of your pet.
