We’ve posted several short messages about various household items that could be dangerous to your pets this Christmas season. When you have time for a short break, we encourage you to scroll through them all and check to see if any of those items apply to you. Today’s post is all about fragrance — keep reading for information about potpourri, candles, and other yummy-smelling items that are dangerous for pets.
*Allow 3-5 minutes to read this post.
Potpourri
Cats are more likely than dogs to be poisoned or injured by liquid potpourri, namely because they can more easily access countertops. Cats that try to lick up a simmering pot of oils or spices can develop chemical burns in their mouths. This is an extremely painful experience that will also affect a cat’s ability to eat. Cats can also tip over the potpourri containers and get the contents on their paws and coat. Dogs aren’t quite as sensitive to essential oils or liquid potpourri, but they can still burn their mouth if they get into the stuff. Signs that a pet has been exposed to liquid potpourri include pawing at the mouth, labored breathing, lack of appetite, vomiting or retching, weakness, fever and tremors. Dried potpourri is not as toxic as liquid, but some pets find the scents of the dried variety to be quite enticing. Depending on the type of your dried potpourri, a pet could be poisoned by ingesting some of its contents, or otherwise develop GI symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
Candles
Depending on how often you burn candles in your home, the candle ingredients could actually cause your pets to become sick. This is because of the chemicals that are released when the wax melts and the wick burns. The candle industry is not regulated by any government body, so it can be challenging to know exactly what ingredients are in your candles. Try to stay away if possible from candles that contain:
🕯lead wicks (metal wicks that release lead into the air, which can be harmful to the central nervous system)
🕯benzene (a carcinogen that is found in the soot of some candles)
🕯acrolein, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde (chemicals in some candle waxes)
🕯toluene (another ingredient in the soot of some candles that can affect the central nervous system)
🕯artificial colors and fragrances (known to contribute to allergies and respiratory issues)
Let us be clear — we love home fragrances like potpourri! And we almost always have a candle burning in the office. An essential part of Christmas is the smell… fresh pine needles, a crackling fire, hot apple cider, cinnamon and nutmeg, toasty vanilla. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without these familiar and traditional aromas. So light those candles and put out your potpourri. Just make sure to keep these items out of reach of your pets! 🐾
