Amy Pennington - Fragrance Marketing

Uncover the benefits and practice of scenting in a pet-friendly home

When we think about keeping our pets healthy, we usually focus on food, exercise, and regular vet checkups. But there’s one major factor that often gets overlooked: the air they breathe.

Just like us, our pets are constantly exposed to the air inside our homes. But studies show that indoor air can sometimes be more polluted than the air outside. How? These pollutants come from everyday household items. 

We all know the air that we breathe is important. It provides oxygen to our cells, allows our bodies to remove waste, like carbon dioxide, and clean air is crucial for overall health. But it’s not just humans that demand clean breathing – plants and animals also rely on fresh air to maintain health.

Hidden Home Hazards for Pets

You may tend to think that good-smelling air is a win for both pets and humans, but one of the primary concerns for air fresheners are volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOCs are organic chemicals that easily turn into gasses or vapors from a solid or liquid form. This transformation is “volatility”, and volatility is just how air fresheners are meant to behave: dissipate into the air, thereby changing its scent. VOCs are found in all sorts of common household items—paints, cleaning sprays, air fresheners, and even scented candles.

And while scented candles create ambience and can often fill a room with good-smelling fragrance, VOCs emitted from scented candles, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and limonene, can unknowingly contribute to indoor air pollution. A study from 2013 found that VOCs were detectable and potentially harmful at high levels, indicating that excessive or prolonged use of scented candles, especially in poorly ventilated spaces, could increase health risks due to inhalation of these substances.

And pets are likely being impacted. A recent study found measurable levels of VOC byproducts in the urine samples of pet dogs and cats. Although the study didn't directly measure disease causation, the chemicals found are linked to serious health issues in humans, including cancer, developmental problems, and brain damage. And because pets are in closer proximity to the ground where many VOCs settle, scientists are concerned that chemical exposure, including VOCs, could be contributing to the rise in pet cancer and endocrine diseases.

Safe Home Scenting

Pet owners should opt for products that do not contain VOCs. It’s good to know there are options, and not all home fragrances cause harm. With Aera’s patented dry process diffusion technology, fragrance oil is transformed instantly once it leaves the diffuser, into invisible, vapor-phase scent molecules. 

And some more positive news — the American College of Healthcare Science indicates that inhalation is one of the safest ways for pets to experience home scenting. A diffuser allows scents to be dispersed throughout a room and is a quick and easy way to introduce fragrance for both humans and household pets. While direct skin contact may be a trigger point for irritation, diffusers allow for a gentle introduction of scents for any space in your home.

“Gentle” is key here — concentration levels of fragrance in the air can contribute to an unsafe indoor environment for pets. Aera diffusers release fragrance in precise amounts for each room size, taking caution not to over saturate the air with fragrance. 

Knowing what diffusers are safe for pets is critical for healthy home practices. Look for technology that delivers fragrance at levels considered extremely low trace quantities by air quality and toxicological standards.

And remember, dogs, cats, and other pets have a keen sense of smell, so they may be more susceptible to essential oils. Be sure the area is well ventilated, and your pet can leave the room, as inclined. A diffuser system where you can moderate scent intensity is a perfect option.

And a word of caution about winged pets — according to the ASPCA, birds can have especially sensitive respiratory systems and may more readily develop problems when using a diffuser. Be sure to consult your veterinarian or avoid diffusing scents in rooms where birds spend time.

What Scents Pet Parents Should Avoid

Not all essential oils are safe for our furry friends. Avoid irritating oils like tea tree, cinnamon, and wintergreen  — anything that feels active. 

To ensure safe home scenting, start with a diffuser that:

• Emits small quantities of oil

• Leaves no residue on surfaces

• Only use natural or safely, sustainably, and ethically compounded ingredients

• Is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Is hypoallergenic

Common Oils to Diffuse Around Pets

Many essential oils are safe to use around pets and may benefit your fur babies. Some essential oils can reduce stress, ease upset stomachs, support healthy skin, improve sleep, and help calm animals and humans alike. And while there have not been many studies done on pets, this canine study from 2022 found that dogs actively interacted with lavender, and it seemed to relax them, lowering their heart rate and positively impacting rest time. 

Some of the most commonly used essential oils in pet-friendly homes include:

• Chamomile

• Clary sage

• Marjoram

• Myrrh

• Ginger

• Cedarwood Virginian

• Lavender

Creating a home that smells fresh shouldn’t come at the expense of your pet’s health. By choosing pet-safe, low-VOC products and avoiding harmful fragrances, you can enjoy pleasant scents without exposing pets to harmful chemicals. A clean, well-ventilated home that smells great isn’t just more inviting—it’s a healthier place for everyone who lives there.

When used as directed, Aera's scent effect is hypoallergenic, free of harmful VOCs and leaves no residue on surfaces. As pet owners ourselves, we take the safety of our fragrances very seriously when it comes to our furry and feathered friends.

References

NIH - VOC Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24582651/

Science Direct - VOC Report
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749122017900?fr=RR-7&ref=pdf_download&rr=95807834f819e945

American College of Healthcare Studies - Essential Oils for Pets
https://achs.edu/blog/essential-oils-for-pets/

ASPCA - Essential Oils Around Pets
https://www.aspca.org/news/essentials-essential-oils-around-pets

National Library of Medicine - Canine Smell Preferences
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9219509/