Are candles bad for dogs? The worst candles for dogs are scented candles that contain essential oils that are known to be harmful to dogs. The concern about candles and dogs is that candles can emit chemicals that can damage your dog’s lungs. Dogs have smaller lungs than we do, so something considered safe for us may not be safe for a dog. And of course smaller dogs will be affected more quickly than large dogs.
Signs that a candle is bothering your dog include:
- cough
- labored breathing
- Irritated, red and drained eyes
- Lethargy
- Irritation and/or runny nose
- Sore throat
If you notice these signs, blow out the candle, open the windows, and take your dog outside to recover. If the signs do not start to disappear, go to the vet.
Remember also that a dog’s sense of smell is at least 10,000 times more sensitive than our own, with some estimates 100,000 times more sensitive. Therefore, if you are aware of the scent of a burning candle, your dog is much more likely to notice it and be bothered by it. On a list of indoor pollutants from the Cleveland Clinic, scented candles ranked 17thhe.
Dog Safe Candles
Studies say that paraffin, an inexpensive candle wax, emits toxic chemicals when burned, though there are questions about how harmful it is. Paraffin is derived from petroleum, petroleum, or coal shale. “Lit candles can expose you to potentially dangerous chemicals, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. Although these chemicals can be dangerous, studies conclude that exposure to these chemicals from candle lighting is too low to present a direct health hazard,” according to the University of Florida Health. But, this study was on humans, not dogs.
A USDA report from South Carolina supports the use of soy wax candles instead, which they find burn cleaner.
harmful essential oils for dogs
Candles are often scented with essential oils, although candle packaging doesn’t always confirm what was used to make the candle. Some essential oils should not be used around dogs, including:
- Cinnamon
- pennyroyal
- Mint
- Pine tree
- sweet birch
- Tea tree
- wintergreen
And of course, the smell and ingestion of marijuana can also harm your dog, should you be burning it.
a slight scent
If your dog is in the room with a scented candle burning, keep an eye on him. The wrong smell or an overpowering odor could put you at risk for serious illness, including aspiration pneumonia. Learn to use scents correctly.
Signs of toxicity include:
- drooling
- vomiting
- uncoordinated movements
- Depression
- Diarrhea
Dog-friendly essential oils
These essential oils are generally fine to use around dogs:
- Chamomile
- Ginger
- lavender oil
- Rosemary
What happens if my dog eats a candle?
If your dog chews on a bit of a candle, don’t panic. Dogs can ingest a little wax and pass it through the digestive tract, just like us. However, candle wax can be bad if the dog eats too much or if it contains a toxic substance, such as a poisonous essential oil, things could quickly get worse. In general, vets agree that candles and dogs just don’t mix well and skip scented candles altogether.
Finally, of course, a candle burning around a dog is a recipe for disaster due to accidental fires.
