Does using deodorant in the house affect pets?

Anyone with a pet knows that our little friends can make the house smelly. Even if you regularly brush and bathe them, many pet owners have chosen a number of other methods to deodorize their home.
While many of these products promise to get rid of pet odors, not all of them are safe for pets. Some deodorants can poison your pet, and if your dog and cat are in the house, you should absolutely not use them.

What makes deodorants harmful to pets?

A key ingredient in many air fresheners are volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These chemicals are responsible for the evaporation of a product or how easily it is converted from a liquid (or solid) to a gas. 
VOCs are responsible for the release of scents into the air. However, VOCs are also used extensively in paint and varnish thinners, refrigerants, cigarette smoke, and other chemicals such as formaldehyde.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, VOCs can cause negative health effects to humans and animals, including eye, nose and throat irritation; respiratory problems; headache; and nausea.
Some types of VOCs can even cause more serious symptoms such as liver or kidney damage, nervous system damage, or cancer. The effects of VOCs will vary widely depending on a number of factors such as composition and ventilation system. Some pets will not experience any negative symptoms, however, it is best to use it with caution, or better yet, not at all.

Sprays and air fresheners

VOCs are commonly found in aerosols and coolers. Because they can have many negative effects on the health of you and your pet, it's best to avoid these products if you have pets.
If you've already purchased any of the above, double-check their ingredients, as most products will have VOCs in their ingredients list, and manufacturers recommend using them where they are. airy.
You need to make sure that sprays and air fresheners are out of the reach of pets, to ensure their safety. If you notice your pet coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or lethargic, you should stop using air fresheners immediately, and take your pet to the vet immediately.

Oil

Essential oils are a product that is growing in popularity and is often touted as a pet-safe alternative to spray-on air fresheners.
While some essential oils are deemed safe for pets, the actual type of oil used, and the concentration (how it is diluted) are important factors in determining safety. . Cats are much more sensitive to essential oils than dogs, however, there are still some safe essential oils that you can use in your home, but remember to use them in the right amounts and concentrations.
Some essential oils are safe for cats, such as chamomile, lavender, and jasmine. As for dogs, it's safer to use cedarwood, chamomile, lavender, and menthol essential oils.
Using these oils in a diffuser or humidifier will freshen your home, and won't harm your pet, but only if you're diluting them in the right concentration.

Incense and scented candles

While incense and scented candles are generally a better alternative to chemically derived fresheners, they can also be irritating to dogs and cats. Because they are made from essential oils, some are safe and some are not, depending on the essential oil listed on the ingredient list.
Besides, the smoke emitted from burning incense and candles can irritate the respiratory tract of pets, so if you plan to burn incense or light candles, you should equip a suitable ventilation system. okay.
In terms of the level of danger to pets, candles are rated quite low, however, there are still some animals that are quite sensitive to scents – so use them sparingly, and should be used sparingly. Use in well-ventilated areas.

Pet-safe options

Fortunately, there are a number of other fairly safe alternatives that you can use to keep your home smelling fresh, without having to worry about your pets coming into contact with harmful chemicals. hazardous ingredients or not.

You can get rid of pet odors by regularly bathing and brushing them. Vacuum and mop regularly to remove pet hair and dust from their bodies – do this often, even if your home isn't carpeted. Vacuuming floors and ceilings can remove small particles, which brooms cannot.
Air purifiers can also dramatically improve indoor air quality and scent – ​​by filtering out microscopic particles, including pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, allergens. and other pollution. You can also improve the ventilation system in your home by opening windows and doors on clear days to let in fresh air, and with that, cleaning the air filter periodically.
You can make your own sprays at home using pet-safe essential oils – this is a great way, instead of having to resort to over-the-counter sprays with questionable ingredients. . You can use certain essential oils like cedarwood and lavender to make a body spray for dogs, and be sure to dilute them properly. Not only that, this mixture can also be used to spray rooms.