Airfresheners, candles, etc.

[bartandmilhouse]

Hi everybun! When it comes to buns, I know their respiratory systems are sensitive and have read that you should not use air fresheners in their environment. Does this go for a whole house/apartment? I live in a small 600sqft apartment and have almost free range buns. They are litter trained and their box is frequently cleaned. However I still notice a bit of smell, which I think comes from the hay? Or just a combination of that, maybe freshly soiled litter, plus it being a little humid in VA, and not having central air haha. I know some people don’t have a bun smell, and I envy that, but I think the aforementioned reasons lead to an understandable scent sometimes Anyway, I’m wondering if anyone uses candles or airfresheners anywhere in their houses/apartments? Or if the rule is to just go without? I would like a fresh smelling environment for myself, guests, and of course the buns but only if it is safe for them. Do you have any alternatives? What about potpourri? Are there “safe” candles (Honest Company advertises using only essential oils, no synthetic fragrance??)? I make a lavender spray with just essential oil and water, but it doesn’t seem to linger long.

Thanks!

[Noodles]

Do your buns react to any air freshener or candle scent? I know my Cinnabun doesn’t like air freshener, and it’s definitely not good for her, we’ve tried spraying it in her area (she has the kitchen in my studio apartment) to get rid of a weird smell in the room. I could tell she was really uncomfortable the whole time and seemed uneasy. We do use candles in the main part of our studio apartment but it doesn’t spread too much to the kitchen where bunny is.

Have you tried using wax melts? I use them in my college dorm since candles/flame are not allowed. They are a bit healthier in terms of air diffusion since it is heated with a light bulb rather than a direct flame. Soot also doesn’t get produced and there is no smoke. The scent is obviously more subtle than a candle or air freshener, but honestly I prefer it since the scent seems much more natural.

[Finnigan!]

I had a teacher who would use an aromatherapy diffuser with the essential oils to help with the rabbit smell in her class.

[Wick & Fable]

I have a small place where Wick is free roam and I light candles very often. Doesn’t bother Wick and healthwise, he’s doing fine. Wick doesn’t mind scents at all, and it hasn’t disturbed his breathing (which I’m paranoid about because of his past uri).

I don’t use flower scents though – I use fir scents, lemongrass, black bamboo, and such. Which all probably have floral notes honestly, haha.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[sarahthegemini]

I wouldn’t use air fresheners/sprays – I’ve got lung disease and they really affect me so I imagine they’d affect tiny bunny lungs too! Candles are fine though. Mine have never reacted to candles or wax burners. I’m always cautious that the scent is an appropriate scent tho – Peanut is very fussy

[bartandmilhouse]

Thank you, everybun! You have all been very helpful! I am more of a candle person rather than an air freshener so I will definitely be getting a wax burner. I lit a candle this morning for just a little bit and they did not seem to pay it any mind and looked and acted normal.

Thanks again!

[Deleted User]

I use reed oil diffusers. There’s no cord like a warmer and no flame from a candle. When it doesn’t smell as much you just flip the wood sticks upside down in the oil, and the wet sticks exposed will release a good bit of smell. I haven’t noticed it bothering my buns. I like them because there’s no melted wax mess to clean up and they are fairly inexpensive. When you run out of oil you just buy more and some new diffuser sticks and you’re good to go! Cheaper than candles in the long run too.

[joea64]

I’ve heretofore used air fresheners, but I see I’ll probably have to change that; I’ll have to look into those reed-oil diffusers too if they’re not too expensive. OP: I live in Virginia too, so I’m a lot more familiar with the humidity than I ever wanted to be .BunNoob and I have been discussing various litters this morning in general Q&A, as it happens – I think we’re both leaning toward wood-stove pellets at the moment depending on how well they work (it’s actually in connection with a litter-screen setup). My newly adopted buns’ litterbox habits are, according to their caretakers, very good so we’ll see about that (I’m taking the precaution of having acrylic guards installed around the bottom level of their bunny condo, including two full-size panels at the corner where their litterbox will go).

[Author]

Messages