What To Do if Your Dog Ate a Candle
Some scented candles might smell delicious to your dog and they might not be able to resist having a nibble or even eating the whole thing. If you think your dog has eaten a candle, Erin Downes shares her recommendations for what to do next.
“Most ingredients in candles are not toxic and should not cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Soy, paraffin, and wax are not poisonous, but some additives—like dyes and scents — are potentially problematic. If possible, get the list of ingredients and call the ASPCA Poison Control Center hotline to ask for advice,” she says.
Should you be worried about other parts of the candle too? Potentially, yes.
“An additional concern is the possibility that the wick or metal parts may cause damage to the intestines. Consult your veterinarian, as they may want to induce vomiting or take an X-ray,” says Downes. “If your vet advises ‘watchful waiting’ — you should observe your dog carefully over the next week and seek veterinary care immediately for symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, constipation, or decreased appetite. Hopefully, the ingested material will pass through your dog’s system without incident.”
Risks of Candles and Air Fresheners
While the scents used in Homesick scented candles are not harmful to dogs and other pets, some scented candles and air fresheners, such as plug-ins and aerosol types, may contain irritating or harmful ingredients.
Some of these products may release synthetic fragrances that aggravate existing respiratory illnesses like asthma in people and pets or harmful toxins, such as naphthalene or phthalates. There have been cases in which phthalates released from some burning candles were suspected to have caused endocrine system disruption, leading to other serious diseases, such as diabetes and cancer.
Essential oils, used in some air diffusers and scented candles, are another substance that can cause some sensitivities to humans and pets alike. Several essential oil varieties should be avoided if you have pets in your home, as they have been shown to adversely impact your pets health. These oils include eucalyptus, tea tree oil, wintergreen, pine, peppermint, camphor and clove. Depending on the oil concentration, even a few drops can cause illness, ranging from vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, depression and more. Even when they are diffused, some oils may still cause mild allergy symptoms or a cough. With this in mind, it’s recommended you don’t apply essential oils directly to your dog’s skin or fur.
Are Scented Candles Bad for Dogs?
While burning scented candles is generally considered safe for dogs, our canine companions have a far better sense of smell than we do. Downes notes that dogs “may be more likely to be irritated by odors.”
She recommends avoiding candles that contain essential oils. “Although there is a lot of variability, a number of essential oils are straight up toxic to pets,” she adds.
Dr. Becker Discusses the Dangers of Scented Candles and Plug-ins
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We all love to light a scented candle from time to time. Whether it’s for the aroma, decoration or mood. While we’re cosy by our candle, we tend to forget about the effect it will have on our dogs. Sparking the question, are scented candles toxic to dogs?
Of course, you need to make sure that it is out of reach so it’s not knocked over by an enthusiastic waggy tail! But did you know, the wick, the wax, and the aroma could affect our dog’s health? We didn’t!
The short answer? Yes, candles can be bad for your dog. Many candles emit nasty toxins and chemicals into the air. These toxins can be harmful to both humans and dogs. We both breathe these nasties into our bodies and bloodstream.
Unfortunately candles aren’t regulated and companies are not required to list the ingredients used. So who knows what toxins emit once the candle has been lit?
It’s not just the ingredients we need to be mindful of. Just like us, dogs could also be allergic to other parts of the candle, such as the scent and chemicals that go with it.
There are many ingredients you should look out for while selecting your scented candles, not just for the health of your pooch but for your own safety too.