Most cat owners know that their feline companions are sensitive to certain things, and they should be careful when it comes to keeping their food and cleaning products clean. However, are incense products harmful to their feline friends?
Some incense products are harmful to cats. Although they may not cause immediate effects, prolonged exposure to high levels of smoke can be hazardous to cats.
This article will talk about the various types of incense products and how they can be harmful to cats.
Is Incense Harmful for Cat?
Your cat probably doesn’t like the smell of incense, so it’s probably not a good idea to burn it in your home. It creates smoke and collects in your room.
Your cat might not notice that you’re using incense, but it’s essential to remember that it’s a natural part of their environment.
According to the EPA, incense can contain harmful chemicals that can increase the risk of various health conditions, such as lung cancer.
Unlike humans, cats have a better sense of smell and sight. They also have a more significant proportion of their eyes in their heads than people.
Why Is Incense Bad for Cats?
Aside from being harmful to cats, burning incense around a cat can also be very dangerous.
If you’re planning on burning incense, make sure that you consider safety and fire prevention before doing so. Also, make sure that your kitty is not around when you’re burning incense.
They Are Sensitive to Smoke
Many people don’t realize that domesticated cats are sensitive to smoke. Their smaller lungs don’t handle the small particles in the air and our larger ones.
If you have a cat, inhaling a lot of incense smoke can make them feel sluggish and irritable. It can also affect their breathing. Although the effects of the smoke should wear off eventually, it’s not ideal for their long-term health.
Scent Is Overpowering
Cats have much more robust and more sensitive noses than humans. It makes them more likely to be distracted by a scent’s powerful effects.
The smell of an industrial compost heap is similar to that of incense. Even if your cat doesn’t experience any immediate health effects from the scent, it can still be irritating and unpleasant for them.
Read also: Is Cedarwood Oil Safe For Cats?
Toxic to Cats
It can be hard to tell which incense products are toxic to cats due to the varying ingredients used in different types of incense. Also, since you can find some of the same harmful components in different smells, it can be hard to control your cat’s exposure.
Some Incenses Are Dangerous
The quality of your incense is essential to ensure that it doesn’t contain toxic ingredients. However, some products may not list all the ingredients used.
Although incense can be very beneficial for people, it can also be harmful to your cat due to its volatile organic compounds and harmful smoke particles.
May Cause Cats Health Problems
High levels of smoke and small particles, such as incense burning, cause respiratory conditions in cats.
Even though the incense itself isn’t harmful to your cat, the vapor from burning it can still have long-term effects on your pet’s health. In addition to asthma, using incense can also increase the risk of lung cancer and other chronic conditions in both humans and cats.
What Are the Symptoms of Smoke Inhalation for Cats?
Exposure to excessive amounts of incense smoke can cause respiratory issues in cats. It can also lead to neurological dysfunctions and other respiratory problems.
The smoke from incense can affect the blood flow to the animal’s tissues and cause coughing and sneezing. It can also upset the mucous membranes of the animal.
Your cat can show you that they disagree with what you’re doing by displaying these signs. These are some signs that your cat might be having a hard time dealing with incense.
Felines might start coughing or taking shorter breaths after inhaling smoke. It might also begin panting and have erratic breathing patterns.
The smoke from incense can also affect the animal’s eyes. It can also cause the cat to start watering its eyes. It can also begin agitating and mewling. If the animal doesn’t want to leave, it can be restrained or put in another smoke-free room.
Read also: Do Cats Pant When Stressed?
How Can I Keep My Cat Safe While Burning Incense?
If your cat is not comfortable using incense, below are ways to burn one while keeping your cat safe.
Keep the Incense Away From Cats
It’s essential to make sure that the incense is out of reach of your cat so that it doesn’t get too close to anything that it can’t reach. Also, be careful not to let your cat go into places that they shouldn’t be able to reach.
Improve Ventilation
One of the most significant issues with incense is how the smoke particles can affect your cat’s lungs. To minimize the number of particles entering your cat’s lungs, ensure that the area where you’re burning incense has ventilation.
Avail of High-Quality Incense
The quality of an incense product is essential for reducing the harmful particles in the air. Two types of incense are commonly used: traditional and dip.
According to FairTradeIncense.com, the traditional method of making incense involves combining the raw materials into a powder form.
This procedure takes a long time and is very delicate—the dough used for making the incense rolls onto a bamboo stick.
Unlike traditional incense, which has a clean burn, dipsticks have a coat with a substance made from wood or charcoal. They then get treated with chemicals before being placed into a scent-producing mix.
Since burning incense increases the amount of smoke and particles in the air, it can also create health perils for you and your cat. To avoid this, make sure that you purchase a quality product.
What Are the Incense Alternatives for Cats Safely?
There are plenty of natural alternatives to incense that can help make your home smell fantastic and enhance your meditation.
Febreeze
Due to the rumors surrounding Febreeze, it has a label as a potential health hazard for cats. However, after conducting a thorough evaluation, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) concluded that the product is safe to use around pets.
Although this is only for the fabric air fresheners used by Febreeze, you can find the same problems with all aerosol air fresheners.
Air Purifiers
While an air purifier won’t remove all of the smells from your home, it can help reduce the odor. Air purification units remove harmful particles and pollutants from the air in most cases. Instead of covering up the issue, air purification helps remove the scent.
Read also: Are Humidifiers Safe For Cats?
DIY Kitchen Purifiers
You can make your home smell great by using your stovetop or oven. One of the most manageable practices is creating your aromatics, which you can do in various recipes on YouTube.
You can also find some of my favorite recipes here. Unless you’re trying to keep your cat away from the kitchen, make sure you use cat-friendly and citrus-free scents.
Even though it’s not always easy to create a warm and pleasing scent for your house, baking can be very helpful. Just add a couple of cinnamon and vanilla to your favorite recipe, and you’ll have a smell that will fill up the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cats Be Allergic to Incense?
Certain ingredients in incense can trigger an allergic reaction in cats. However, not all cats have an issue with incense reactions.
Although smoke sensitivity is more common in cats than allergic reactions, some chemicals in incense smoke can trigger an allergic reaction.
Although it’s impossible to completely rule out an allergic reaction to your pet’s incense, it’s still important to note that cats are more prone to experiencing other health problems.
Is Burning Frankincense Safe for Cats?
Frankincense is considered safe for cats since it contains no toxic chemicals. However, it can still cause smoke inhalation if appropriately used.
Can Incense Kill Cats?
Although incense can be dangerous to cats, it is relatively rare for them to die due to its effects. Also, using it regularly can lead to detrimental impacts on their health.
Although it’s unlikely that using incense will kill your cat, it can have detrimental effects on its health and longevity.
Conclusion
Is incense terrible for cats? Most of the time, yes. Although incense is not a great option for cats, you can safely use it to keep them safe while burning. However, with the EPA labeling it as a potentially harmful indoor air pollutant, it’s essential to consider other options.
