By Jean Hofve, DVM
Note: This article first appeared in our newsletter several years ago, but the topic has become even more important, with another article in the New York Times and a report from the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) about hidden toxins in air fresheners. In addition, according to How Stuff Works, “a study by the University of California at Berkeley found that when used excessively or in a small, unventilated area, these products release toxic levels of pollutants. This comes from two main chemicals called ethylene-based glycol ethers and terpenes. While the EPA regards the ethers as toxic by themselves, the non-toxic terpenes can react with ozone in the air to form a poisonous combination. Air fresheners in particular are linked to many volatile organic compounds, such as nitrogen dioxide. Concentrations of this chemical are two to five times higher indoors than outdoors, which can cause cancer in some animals. Some fresheners also contain paradichlorobenzene, the same chemical we [as] mothballs..”
An article in the New York Times, “Accessorizing the Air,” explored the newest frontier in interior decorating: the air. Indeed, the number and variety of sprays, plug-ins, scented candles, and other fragrance delivery systems has exploded in the last couple of years.
While a hint of lavender may be relaxing to humans, there’s no guarantee that it will have a similar effect on our pets. Some odors that humans find agreeable are actually annoying to cats; citrus and pine are both highly irritating, and even poisonous if overdone.
A cat’s sense of smell is about 14 times better than a human’s; a dog’s is over 40 times more sensitive. Both cats and dogs (as well as many other mammals) have a special sensory organ cat nose called “Jacobson’s organ” or the vomeronasal organ. This consists of a pair of pits in the roof of the animal’s mouth that connect to the nasal passages. By drawing air into its mouth, the animal passes a scent over this organ in order to fully analyze it. This produces a grimace-like expression called the “Flehmen response.”
The long and short of it is that both dogs and cats are very sensitive to odors. Air fragrances can be very irritating to an animal. To a sensitive pet, these artificial scents must be a lot like living with the stereo turned up full blast all the time. The problem is compounded when several scent products are used throughout the house, leaving nowhere for the pet to go to get away from them.
While the occasional burning of a scented candle or stick of incense won’t do significant harm, Little Big Cat recommends that cat (and dog) guardians avoid products that release a constant stream of strong fragrance into the air. For more information on pets and odors, see Russell Louie’s great article on Aromatherapy.
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