Scented Candles?

[MimzMum]

Okay, awhile back we were all discussing strong scents/chemicals and how they affect your rabbits liver function. But I don’t remember if we included scented candles? Are these okay to burn near or in a bunny room? (In a safe place, of course.) I know we talked about how incense and things like bleach or hairspray should not be used near your bunnies because it can make them sick.

So can scented candles be burned near a bunny? I happen to have a lot of them and when the power goes out, well, they’re what I have to see my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. ^_^

[luna]

Hi there,

Im not a huge experts on rabbits yet but i have been using scented candles and incense in my home since before i got Henry and he has been totally fine.  He was neutered two weeks ago and everything went well so they dont seem to have affected his health at all. He is a very healthy and happy bunny maybe other people have had different experiences which they can shed light on?

[wendyzski]

I use scented candles and oils and Pepper is fine with them.  I don’t marinate the place in them, and usually have them in one room only so if it bothers her she can leave.

[bunnytowne]

I use oils scented candles and spray.  I dont’ spray directly on bunnies more like above the couch and the bed areas.  My buns have been fine with this. The incense can be a bit strong for them tho.  So when I occassionally use it I put it out  shortly after I start burning it.  I dont’ want it to be too heavy a smell.  Another reason I put them out  shortly after starting them is I can also get headaches from the incense. So I can only imagine how it would affect the buns if I let it burn itself out.

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Frankie doesn’t mind scented candles… but he does try to eat them!

[BinkyBunny]

I  do enjoy scented stuff, but I also am careful about the kinds of candles I use.  I choose to use soy and/or full beeswax candles to diminish soot. But I search out coupons for those, cuz they are just so expensive!

I also think it depends on the kinds of sprays.  Some do have irritating aspects to it.    With sprays, the little particles will still drop down on the floor and furniture but I don’t know how much would be harmful.  I guess it would depend on how much someone sprays. 

I have some essential oils that I put on pretty rocks that I’ve collected over time, and they seem to hold the oil scent long enough without putting stuff into the air that drops down anywhere (at least that I am aware of).   I spread the rocks around the house and when people walk by them, it sort of creates a breeze that spreads the light scent throughout the house.

But I am really not absolutely sure how much this is or is not a true problem though. I am careful about the types of cleaners, soaps, hair stufff and lotion products I use. so I may be more of the extreme than most.  I know that both my husband and I have less allergy type symptoms since we became more chemical conscious, so I am guessing this would benefit the bunnies too.

I did  ask Dana Krempels  about candles (scented and non) and scented household sprays.  I respect her answers, so I should here back from her soon, and I’ll post an update on that.

[babybunsmum]

my friend has an african grey parrot and will only ever use soy candles with lead-free wicks.  she never uses anything teflon (when its heated it enits noxious gasses) and has stopped cleaning with bleach.  i tend to think that these things are bad for all creatures – including humans – but that we can tolerate more of it due to our size before any side effects show.  of course i base this on nothing scientific.  just think it makes sense.  so, since it’s no skin off my back, i stopped using anything teflon, i don’t use any harsh smelling cleaners (mostly just use vinegar / borax) and i use the soy wax lead-free candles. 

[ScooterandAnnette]

Here’s my perspective on this. As some may recall, I am an environmental engineer by training and hold an endowed chair at the University of Winnipeg.

Teflon: It is true that burning teflon can create all sorts of really nasty things. In fact, a colleague of mine published a seminal paper on this in the journal Nature a few years ago, which received some press attention. HOWEVER, this type of process ONLY happens under extremely high temperatures. For example, when you torch a non-stick (teflon-coated) frying pan by leaving it on the stove too long. In that case, you are probably in more danger from the particles caused by burning anything (i.e., what’s left of your meal!) and from possibly starting a fire in your house And if your stove’s fan is on, most of that is being carried out of your kitchen.

Under normal cooking temperatures, the risk of forming dangerous materials from teflon-coated materials is negligible, in my professional opinion.

Scented candles: Depends on the candle and what’s in it, which is often not at all easy to determine. But my guess is that for the most part, these are fine for human and animal use. Common sense is a good idea, if it’s too much for someone or somebunny to take, then don’t use it or take it someplace else.

Cleaning with bleach: It’s smelly and definitely needs to be done with ventilation, but very effective at cleaning. Most householld uses won’t generate much in the way of noxious by-products. Note that I’m not including the bleach itself, of course. Also a very effective disinfectant. Be careful to follow the directions on the label, especially those warning not to mix with material that can generate chlorine gas, which is very bad.

In my professional opinion, bleach is probably a better disinfectant to use than all the anti-microbial agents out there. My research group uses essentially household bleach to disinfect and destroy pathogens when we work with biohazardous materials–we work at an approved Biohazard Level II containment facility, which is essentially one step below having airlock doors and two steps below the moon suits that you find for work with things like Ebola. The anti-bacterial soaps and toothpaste and other products basically kill everything, not just “bad” bacteria, and are overkill as for household use, washing well with regular soap and water will suffice. When it doesn’t, bleach will do the job. Anti-bacterial chemicals wind up surviving wastewater treatment and kill beneficial bacteria in rivers and lakes and streams. What effects these have are unclear and difficult to determine–that’s some of what we study, actually. But not likely anything good. Bleach won’t do any of that.

Again, my $0.02 for what it’s worth.

Scooter, or in real life, Charles S. Wong, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Environmental Toxicology, University of Winnipeg alum.mit.edu/www/wong.charles.shiu

[Veronica Vigilant]

Scooter- I love reading your posts!

(I work in an environmental chemistry lab and you always explain so well what I’m thinking in my head but can’t find the best way to say!)

[BinkyBunny]

ScooterandAnnette – hey that is really great stuff to know!  It is wonderful to have someone knowledgeable about this as I researched and researched as much a layman could to find out the right kind of mix of possible cleaning agents that weren’t harmful to the environment,and better for us (as we hate the strong smell of the fragrents that many store cleaners have) but could still kill enough germs to make things sanitary.   However, not being an expert myself, it still leaves lots of  room to question.  We do keep bleach for the wost of the things, otherwise we use ingredient mixes of bronners soap, vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, borax, …… and hydrogen peroxide (not mixed in of course – just sprayed separately together)  or just vinegar in water.  I’ve always used a 10% bleach solution on the worst of the worst (don’t use often).  But in your opinion is that 10 % percentage strong enough to kill the necessary harmful bacteria? I know that the other anti-bacterial chemicals can survive waste water treatment, which is another reason we don’t use them, but also thought bleach survived it too, so that is very good to know that it doesn’t.   I am so surprised!

And back to the original subject of candles and sprays -   I did get a response from Dana Krempels (Biologist Ph.d)  and she also had some great information regarding this.     She said aerosol sprays can be harmful and when it comes to the candles, it really depends on the quality and has recommendations.   She also mentioned that the wick matters as well.   Very educational!  Check it out.

http://www.allexperts.com/user.cgi?m=6&catID=703&qID=4748595

 

I love it! I am learning so much today.

[ScooterandAnnette]

Binkybunny: A 10% bleach solution is definitely good enough for antiseptic purposes. In fact, that’s the same strength we use for disinfection in our Biohazard Level II lab. Very effective against nearly all likely pathogens one might reasonably encounter. Not effective against TB, but fortunately, tuberculosis is pretty hard to find these days.  Bleach actually could survive wastewater treatment, but stuff very similar to it does get used to disinfect treated wastewater before it gets released into receiving water, at least at some wastewater treatment plants.  Same on the water treatment end to disinfect drinking water before it goes into the distribution system and into your tap.  So I’m not overly concerned about bleach itself.  It can also create all sorts of byproducts which aren’t so good either, and that is an area of active research to minimize the impact of those while maximizing the efficiency of the necessary disinfection we must have for our drinking water and wastewater treatment.

Bob the Bunny: Which lab do you work? I know, or at least know of, a number of people at the US Geological Survey lab in Lawrence. Very talented people doing high quality work.

[MimzMum]

Wow, do I know how to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater or what? 0_o (no pun on candles and fire intended..lolz…but what a stampede of cool responses!)

This is all wonderful info, guys, thanks so much for your input! Half these things I had no idea about whatsoever. Love the link to Dana, and I’ll be checking out that candle company! Santa’s Candles in North Pole makes soy candles, I just got one at the fair. I may have found another trigger for my allergies in these cheap supermarket candles too! Good call!

*sigh* Makes me wish I’d kept up with my schooling; I’d had the dream of being a microbiologist at one time, but quite honestly, I couldn’t cut the math needed to excel in the sciences.
Of course, that’s why I have you all to look this stuff up for me and determine it’s validity! ^_^

[BinkyBunny]

Mimzmum – I bet many others will be raising an eyebrow at your comment about how you get your soy candles at Santa’s Candles in the North Pole!!!  HAHA.  Does it happen to be at Santa Claus’s House?  People will think I am joking about this I know.  But I’m not. 

I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska  (left soon after I turned 18), but anyway,  I remember seeing Santa’s house in the nearby city of North Pole. 

Here it is for those of you that may feel a bit baffled.  There REALLY is a Santa Clause House in North Pole.  No kidding. 

“

[babybunsmum]

wow… great to know scooter!  thanks for the informed feedback   i’m going to pass this onto my friend too!

[bunnytowne]

Great information.   I usually use vinagar for my floors.  Oh occassion I use bleach but make the bunnies stay in their houses til it dries. Wouldn’t want it on their fur and ingest it thru grooming.  Plus the windows need to be open.

Yes all those antibacterial soaps dishsoaps etc. I think they do harm as to helping create drug resistant bacteria.

My allergies are outdoor allergies.  Unfortunately like today a nice cool breeze outside and I can’t open the windows or I get sore throat swollen itchy eyes.  GRRRR. I hate that. Sure would save on the a/c bill I tell you and bring fresh cool air into the house.

I used to wear  a 3X mask but I can’t see below my nose with that big thing on.

[Alicia Conklin]

Wow very good to know. 

I don’t often use candles but I wonder if they are used on occasion if they’d be ok?  I know I don’t have the nice expensive aromatherapy candles so maybe not   I just got a nice pumpkin spice scented candle that I really really wanted to burn.  Oh well

 

 

[MimzMum]

I get those little dust masks when I need to breathe through things like dusting and vacuuming and such, BT. But they are annoying. >.<
My allergies just kicked up again after being dormant for what I thought was going to be the whole winter. Boo! I’ve had to go back to Benadryl because the Zyrtec wasn’t working anymore.

Yup, that’s the world famous Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska. (I’m surprised you didn’t put up a pic of the 50-foot Santa that stands outside, Jen!) We live about 20 miles north of that and 30 miles east of Fairbanks. I don’t know if Santa’s Candles is stationed there, but I got one that smelled like plumeria for my mother-in-law and one for me that smelled like honeysuckle. (Since I don’t think it grows here, I can’t imagine how they got the scent, but it smells spot on!)

I can always take the cheap candles I have bought and make nice little centerpiece arrangements with them for the holidays for folks I know who don’t have bunnies. Don’t want to see them go to waste, as I’m not going to use them now.

[wendyzski]

I’m sensitive to artificial scents too,so I tend to use natural-oil scented candles or a oil-warmer.  I do use some incense, but from a small apothecary in TX because it’s the only one that doesn’t set off my asthma.

Good to know that it’s not bad for my bun too.

[BunnyLiz]

This is probably the same as a candle but just in case.. what about tart warmers? The ones with a light bulb under the plate with the wax? They are soy and triple scented. They can be just as bad and dangerous to their little systems..?

[wendyzski]

I would imagine that it’s the same kind of thing – well-made soy or natural oil scented ones should be okay in moderation. 

Scary synthetic OMG WHAT IS THAT SMELL ones not so much

[Akogecko13]

I just got two rabbits today. Just found out one of them is allergic to the Indian incense I burn at home.

[Author]

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