Are Air Fresheners Toxic for Pets? Here Are 5 Symptoms to Watch Out For

Household pets like cats, dogs, and birds are a lot more sensitive to smells than we are. That’s mainly because they can’t always easily access another room or an outdoor space. It’s also because their sense of smell is much stronger than ours. The chemicals in air fresheners and even natural scent boosters like essential oils can be a danger to our pets. 

In large amounts, air fresheners can be toxic for pets, and we’re going to walk you through why and what symptoms to look out for. 

The Dangers in Air Fresheners

Air fresheners that plug in, and even scented candles, incense, and essential oils, can all irritate pets. They aren’t able to get away from the smell as easily, especially birds that live in cages. 

Most air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — chemicals that can easily change from solid to liquid to gas. These chemicals and their volatility change the scent of the air, but they can get into your pet’s body through inhalation or ingestion and become toxic. Certain VOCs are known to cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, nausea, headaches, damage to the central nervous system, the liver, and the kidneys, as well as cancer in animals. 

Are Essential Oils Better?

Many essential oils are toxic to cats and dogs, including but not limited to lemon, peppermint, cinnamon, pine, eucalyptus, and wintergreen. When you use oil in a diffuser, it floats through the air as droplets. The droplets land on your pet’s skin and they may accidentally ingest them while grooming. 

What Symptoms Should You Look Out For?

If you think your pet is reacting to an air freshener, essential oil product, incense, or any scent booster, look for these signs.

Confusion and Disorientation

Usually one of the first symptoms that owners notice is that their dog doesn’t seem like their normal selves. They either don’t seem to recognize their owners, seem scared or excessively tired, or act dizzy and bump into things. If you notice your dog doing any of these things, you’ll want to get them to a vet. 

Vomiting

If your pet started vomiting and you don’t know why, consider any new scents you’ve brought into the home. Did you start using a new essential oil diffuser, or possibly light a new candle? Vomiting is a sign that your pet’s body is trying to expel some toxins, which could be something that they are breathing. 

Sneezing and Runny Nose

If you notice your dog or cat sneezing a lot or leaking fluid from its nose, it could be because of an air freshener. Just like humans react to strong scents or smells that trigger our allergies, our pets are the same way. 

How Can You Freshen Up Your Home Naturally?

Instead of buying a candle or air freshener, try opening a window and letting in some fresh air. If you want to add a sweet scent to your home, try simmering some oranges and cinnamon sticks on the stove or baking cookies!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Tolola/iStock via Getty Images