In a closed Canadian home, what smells like a spa day to you could be a toxic airborne hazard for them.
Diffusers release microscopic droplets of concentrated oil. To your pet, these are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that irritate sensitive lung tissue.
What goes up must come down. Oil droplets eventually land on fur. When your cat grooms, an airborne risk becomes an ingested poison.
Cats lack a specific liver enzyme to process phenols found in Peppermint or Tea Tree oils. These toxins build up until the liver reaches a breaking point.
In Calgary or Toronto, we seal our homes for months. Without fresh air, oil concentrations can reach levels that overwhelm your pet's internal organs.
Most paraffin candles release benzene and soot. For pets with asthma, a single 'fresh linen' candle can trigger a respiratory emergency.
Watch for squinting, drooling, or hiding. If your pet stumbles or their temperature drops below 38°C, stop the scent immediately.
Get them to fresh air fast. Open the window—even in January. If oil is on their fur, wash them with a scent-free soap like Dawn.
Visit Canadian Tire for a HEPA filter. It removes dander and VOCs instead of just masking smells with harmful perfumes.
Simmer apple slices and ginger on the stove. It adds moisture to dry furnace air without releasing aerosolised oil droplets into the lungs.
If you must use scents, keep the door open. Your pet needs a path to a scent-free room if the atmosphere becomes overwhelming.
It’s about biology. What is therapeutic for you can be toxic for them. Their home is their entire world—keep the air they breathe safe.
Get the full list of toxic oils and the pet-safe home checklist.