What are wax melts?
Wax melts are pieces of scented wax, often moulded into a shape. They are placed atop a burner, whose heat causes the wax to melt and release its scent into the room.
Are wax melts toxic? Are there any non-toxic options?
Wax melts are traditionally made from paraffin wax. When burned, traditional wax melts can release harmful compounds because paraffin is a by-product of petroleum refining.
However, there are non-toxic options such as soy wax and natural beeswax. When beeswax or soy wax melts burned, they do not release harmful substances. Also, wax melts made with natural fragrances and natural dyes are less likely to be toxic and harmful to one’s health.
Are wax melts safe for pets?
There are two essential aspects to consider when answering this question: the composition of the wax, and the composition of the scent.
In terms of wax, if you have pets, it is best to err on the side of caution and use natural waxes, as these do not release any harmful compounds when used.
In terms of scent, some wax melts get their scent from essential oils, while others get their scent from fragrance oils.
In general, essential oils are problematic for pets. However, the exact effect and the severity of these effects differs based on which essential oils are being used, and of course, the same essential oils can have different effects on different animals.
If your pet ingests a small amount of some essential oils, they may only have gastrointestinal issues, but some oils like pennyroyal oil can cause serious issues. Another dangerous oil is tea tree oil, which can impact the nervous system if ingested by a pet.
Birds in general are more susceptible to the negative effects of essential oils, because of their respiratory systems. The same applies to animals who groom themselves a lot, like cats.
Cats and dogs are much more sensitive to scent. A cat is 14 times more sensitive to the same scent than a human, while dogs’ sense of smell is anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive. Pets can also suffer chemical burns from skin contact with essential oils. If your pet comes in contact with essential oils, wash it off immediately using water and a mild, non-scented soap, and then contact your veterinarian.
For these reasons, it is best to use wax melts that are free of essential oils. When buying a wax melt, check the ingredients to make sure it’s free of any substances that may harm your pet. For instance, we make sure to avoid using essential oils that are harmful to pets, such as eucalyptus, cinnamon, citrus, and pine. We instead use fragrance oils for these scents, which are pet-friendly. See our full collection of wax melts here.
Here are some other general tips to make sure your wax melts are pet-friendly (and beneficial to your health too):
- When using your wax melts, make sure to keep the burner out of reach of your pets.
- Store your wax melts out of reach of pets. Pets are naturally inquisitive, so you don't want them accidentally eating the wax melts.
- Even if your wax melt isn’t toxic to your pet, the wax melt may cause slight irritation, or an allergic reaction. Monitor your pet’s reaction to the wax melt to make sure they aren’t suffering from any negative effects.
- Make sure to use your wax melts in a room with adequate ventilation.
So to sum up, if you want to make sure your wax melts are safe for your pets, use melts made from a natural wax, avoidessential oils, check the ingredients of the wax melt you’re buying, and use and store these melts out of reach of your pets.