You wake up to a familiar stench. The cat has done a number inside the litter box. Most people in this situation, after cleaning it of course, will reach for the air freshener to get the remaining smell out of your home. But, did you know that some air fresheners are bad for your pets? In today’s market, there are an endless supply of air freshener options for your home. And navigating which might cause problems for your furry friends can be complicated. So, we’ve simplified the process to let you in on all you need to know about air fresheners and pet safety.
The Type of Air Freshener Matters
There are a number of air freshener options, and the one you choose will determine if it’s harmful for your pets. Most air fresheners contain volatile organic combounds, or VOCs. VOCs can cause breathing problems, eye, skin, or throat irritation. VOCs, if ingested by pets, can also cause damage to the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. VOCs may also cause cancer in pets, if exposed long term. TSome air fresheners use more VOCs than others. Febreze (more on them below) and Glade use the fewest.
Most air fresheners that are safe for pets will come with a notice on the bottle. Typically that notice says “Safe for pets when used correctly.” Febreze Air Effects, for example, has this notice, and is one of the air fresheners I use in my home. I use it mainly because it uses nitrogen, rather than VOCs to release the fragrance into the air. Note the only Febreze Air Effects uses this. Other Febreze products may use VOCs (like the ones in the study linked above), so it’s important to note the difference between regular Febreze air fresheners and Febreze Air Effects.
Febreze Air Effects is made using similar ingredients to regular Febreze (the kind you spray on your fabric). That mixture has been scientifically reviewed a number of times and found to be safe for pets. Again, when used correctly. While Febreze notes this on the bottle, what exactly does it mean to use correctly? Most notably, using a very limited amount is key. Febreze Air Effects is a very strong spray, and your pet’s sensitive smelling could be agitated if you use too much of it. Also, avoid spraying it around food or the litter box. Whether it’s considered safe or not, you don’t want your pet ingesting unwanted chemicals.
Avoid Essential Oils in Homes with Pets
Always make sure to read the ingredients of the air freshener to avoid common triggers, like essential oils. You might thing something more organic, like essential oils, would be better for animals. However essential oils are especially toxic to cats and some birds. Air fresheners made with essential oils (most plug in options have essential oils) are considered dangerous for pets for a number of reasons. Little droplets of essential oils can make it to your pet’s skin, and if your pet licks it, it can make your pet sick.
Watch for Warning Signs in Pets Around Air Freshener Use
If you use air fresheners in your home, make sure to use them sparingly. Try to only use them in well ventilated areas. Pet size is important when looking for warning signs. The smaller the pet, the more likely it will have an issue with air fresheners. If you notice your pet immediately withdraw, or go into hiding, stop using that particular air freshener going forward. Pets may also start to cough, wheeze or become lethargic if the air freshener makes it sick. A loss of appetite is another warning sign that your pet might be getting sick from your air freshener. If you notice any of these short term issues, stop using the air freshener immediately.
Alternatives to Air Fresheners
If you need to stop using air fresheners in your home to keep your pet safe, what are your alternatives? Most people will look to Google to try to find pet safe air fresheners, however be careful of the results you find. Many of the options Google lists include essential oils, which are never a good idea if you have cats in your home. Pet stores will have some air freshener options available that offer more safety.
