Is Incense Safe for Pets? 7 Important Considerations
Burning incense is a time-honored tradition, practiced for everything from spiritual rituals to creating a more serene atmosphere at home. Many people enjoy the calming effects of the fragrances that fill their living spaces and use these scents to relax, meditate, or simply freshen the air. Whether it's based on the sweet scent of Chamomile or the invigorating aroma of Myrrh, incense can provide an aromatic escape from the stresses of everyday life, for both human and pet residents at home.
However, if you have pets at home, then you’ll need to be a little more careful than average about your incense-burning practices. Even gentle scents that seem harmless to humans can cause irritation or worse when inhaled by pets. Pet incense sticks made using natural ingredients are generally very mild and safe to use around pets, but it's always a good idea to consult your veterinarian before introducing any new incense fragrances.
Given the heightened sensitivity many animals have to scents and smoke, you’ll want to take some extra precautions before lighting incense in the same space as your furry or feathered companions.
Below are some key considerations you should make for safely burning incense around pets, as well as practical tips to minimize risk and protect their health:
1) Location and Storage
Many pets are naturally curious. Cats are often inclined to leap onto high shelves, while dogs will want to explore every nook and cranny of your home, outside their designated zone with their custom dog beds.
An incense stick, with its glowing tip and fragrant smoke, can seem particularly enticing to play with—and also potentially hazardous. A knocked-over stick of burning incense can cause injury to a pet or start a fire, while pets that manage to chew on it may ingest harmful substances. Knowing that, always choose high, secure spots for burning incense or, better yet, burn it in a separate room your pets don’t have access to.
2) Ventilation
One of the biggest risks incense poses to pets is the smoke build-up. Without proper ventilation, this smoke can linger in the air and irritate a pet’s sensitive respiratory system.
Ensure that any room where you burn incense has ample airflow to minimize these risks. Open windows, run a fan, or burn incense outdoors if possible. The key is to keep the air moving so that the smoke doesn’t accumulate and cause irritation to your pets.
3) The Type of Incense
When choosing incense to burn around pets, it’s best to be selective about the types of scents and ingredients used. While some “natural” products are assumed to be safer, this is not always the case. Ingredients such as benzoin, camphor, eucalyptus, and cinnamon, for example, can be harmful to pets, as can strong floral and citrus fragrances, especially around cats.
Opt for milder and pet-friendly incense fragrances like cedarwood, marjoram, frankincense, or clary sage. But even with pet-friendly options available, you’ll want to consult a veterinarian for recommendations to better safeguard the well-being of your pets.
4) The Types of Pets You Own
Incense doesn’t affect all pets in the same way. Cats, for example, have highly sensitive respiratory systems that are more prone to irritation from smoke. In fact, cats are at higher risk of developing asthma and other respiratory conditions when exposed to smoke over time.
Birds, too, are incredibly vulnerable to air pollutants like incense smoke and can suffer severe health consequences from even brief exposure. Meanwhile, brachycephalic dog breeds like pugs or bulldogs may also struggle with incense smoke due to their flat faces and existing breathing challenges.
You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the health risks your specific pet faces. Tailor your incense-burning habits accordingly, based on safe recommendations from your vet..
5) Duration of Burning
The length of time incense is allowed to burn can also have a significant impact on how much smoke the stick produces and how long it lingers. The more extended the burn time, the more exposure your pet has to potential respiratory irritants.
Limiting how long you burn incense sticks for, particularly in enclosed spaces, is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk to your pets. Shorter burning periods, coupled with proper ventilation, can help minimize the accumulation of smoke.
6) Preexisting Pet Health Issues
Pets with preexisting health conditions, particularly respiratory issues like asthma, bronchitis, or allergies, require extra caution when it comes to incense. Even minimal exposure to smoke can exacerbate these conditions and lead to flare-ups or more severe symptoms.
Pet owners should be particularly vigilant if their animals have been diagnosed with these issues, and in most cases, it’s safer to avoid burning incense altogether around pets with compromised respiratory systems.
7) Pet Behavior
Lastly, observe your pet’s behavior when burning incense to detect any signs of discomfort or distress. Animals can’t communicate respiratory irritation the same way humans do, but their actions often speak volumes.
If your pet starts coughing, sneezing, or has watery eyes while incense is burning, this could indicate sensitivity to the smoke. In more severe cases, pets may begin to pant excessively or show signs of labored breathing.
Should you notice any of these behaviors, stop burning incense immediately and remove your pet from the environment. If symptoms persist, seek veterinary advice to ensure your pet’s health isn’t compromised.
You may love the practice of burning incense in your home to make it more calming and peaceful, but you should always be aware of its potential effect on your pets’ health. Greater mindfulness and a few simple precautions while burning incense at home can make all the difference when it comes to preserving their safety and comfort.
This is a guest post contributed by PRIDEBITES.
Published by Incensesticks
