Pet Safe Candles Guide: Ingredients & Safety Facts

Scent Nation Australia’s pet-safe candle guide explains how to enjoy candles more safely around cats and dogs. No candle is 100% risk-free around pets because it involves an open flame and can affect indoor air. If you choose to burn a candle in a pet household, prioritise ventilation, supervision, and lighter fragrance, and stop immediately if your pet shows any irritation.

Scent Nation Australia candles are made with 100% soy wax, cotton wicks, and fragrance oils used within IFRA guidelines for candle use.

Pet safe candle checklist

• Never leave a candle unattended.
• Burn in a well-ventilated room.
• Keep candles well out of reach on a high, stable surface away from edges and jump-up zones.
• Keep away from curtains, bedding, and pet walkways.
• Trim the wick before each burn to reduce smoke and soot.
• Keep burn sessions short and avoid overpowering fragrance.
• Stop immediately if your pet shows coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, drooling, vomiting, lethargy, or any breathing change.

Cats and candles

Cats can be more sensitive to airborne irritants and concentrated aromatic compounds because their livers struggle to process certain compounds (like phenols). If you burn a candle in a cat household, keep the room ventilated, keep fragrance light, and keep burn sessions short, especially the first time you try a scent.

• Keep candles out of jump-up zones and away from litter and feeding areas.
• If your cat has asthma or respiratory sensitivity, choose the lightest fragrance option and burn briefly.

Dogs and candles

For dogs, the biggest risks are burns, knocked-over candles, and curiosity. Use a heavy, stable surface where a wagging tail cannot reach.

• Avoid low tables and edges.
• Keep packaging, matches, and lighters away from chewing.
• If your dog is sensitive (allergies or respiratory issues), choose lighter fragrance and shorter burn sessions.
• Extra care should be taken with brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Pugs or Bulldogs, as they may have more sensitive airways.

Fragrance and Ingredients (The Essential Oil Warning)

Essential oils can be harmful to pets depending on the oil and exposure route, so extra caution is recommended, especially around cats. Scent Nation Australia does not use essential oils in our candles.

We use fragrance oils intended for candle making and used within IFRA guidelines for candle products. Our fragrance oils are phthalate-free (per supplier documentation).

Which Essential Oils are Toxic to Pets? (Why we don't use them)

Many pet owners search for "is tea tree oil safe for dogs" or "essential oil toxicity." We strictly avoid the following ingredients often found in other candles because they are known toxins to animals:

• Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca): Highly toxic to dogs and cats if inhaled or absorbed.
• Wintergreen, Peppermint & Spearmint: Can cause severe gastrointestinal or respiratory distress.
• Pine & Eucalyptus: Often found in cheap festive candles, these contain phenols that are difficult for cats to process.
• Cinnamon & Clove: High eugenol content can be toxic to cats and liver-damaging.
• Ylang Ylang: Can cause difficulty breathing and weakness.

Soy Wax vs Paraffin Wax (Comparison)

Scent Nation Australia candles are made with 100% soy wax. Many people ask us about the difference between soy and paraffin regarding pet safety.

Feature	Scent Nation (Soy Wax)	Standard Paraffin Wax
Source Material	100% Natural Soybean Oil (Renewable)	Petroleum / Crude Oil byproduct
Toxins	Burns cleanly (Non-toxic)	Can release benzene & toluene (carcinogens)
Soot Levels	Low (Pet safe)	High (Black sticky soot)
Burn Time	Burns slower & cooler (Longer lasting)	Burns fast & hot

The biggest driver of visible soot is usually how a candle is burned: wick length, drafts, an oversized flame, and very long burn sessions. However, soy wax is plant-based and produces significantly less visible soot when paired with good candle care.

How to burn candles safely around pets

• Choose the right spot: high, stable, heat-safe surface away from edges, curtains, and pet traffic.
• Ventilate: crack a window or ensure good airflow before lighting.
• First burn: burn briefly to see how strong it feels in your space.
• Wick care: trim the wick before each burn to reduce smoke and soot.
• Keep sessions short: avoid long burns in enclosed rooms.
• Watch your pet: if you notice any irritation or behaviour change, stop burning and ventilate immediately.

Signs your pet may be reacting

• Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes
• Drooling, vomiting, lethargy
• Unusual hiding, agitation, or restlessness
• Any breathing change

If symptoms are significant, persistent, or include breathing changes, contact your veterinarian promptly.

Soy wax and sustainability

Soy wax is made from soybean oil, a renewable plant-based feedstock. Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum processing, which is a non-renewable fossil resource. Renewable does not automatically mean impact-free, because environmental footprint depends on farming practices, land use, and transport. If you’re choosing candles for lower environmental impact, focus on a renewable wax choice, responsible burning so your candle lasts longer, and reusing or recycling the jar.

Relaxation-inspired scent profiles for some dogs

Some scent exposure research in dog environments suggests lavender and chamomile aromas are associated with calmer behaviour. Every dog is different, and these studies involve controlled scent exposure rather than candles. Scent Nation Australia treats these as relaxation-inspired scent profiles, not a treatment for anxiety. If your dog has ongoing anxiety or distress, a vet or qualified trainer can recommend evidence-based support.

Practical tip: keep fragrance light, ventilate well, and keep burn sessions short.

Pet safe candles Australia: Frequently Asked Questions

Are scented candles safe around dogs and cats?
No candle is 100% risk-free around pets because it’s an open flame and it affects indoor air. Prioritise supervision, ventilation, shorter burn sessions, and keeping the candle well out of reach. Stop immediately if your pet shows irritation or breathing changes.

What makes a candle “pet-safer” than a regular candle?
Pet-safer means lower risk when used responsibly, not a guarantee. The biggest difference is how it’s used: ventilation, stable placement, supervision, lighter fragrance, and good wick care to reduce smoke.

Do your fragrances comply with IFRA standards?
Yes. Scent Nation Australia uses fragrance oils intended for candle making and used within IFRA guidelines for candle products.

Are essential oils safe around pets?
Essential oils can be harmful to pets depending on the oil and exposure route, so extra caution is recommended, especially around cats. Scent Nation Australia does not use essential oils in our candles. We use fragrance oils intended for candle making and used within IFRA guidelines for candle products.

What should I do if my pet reacts to a candle?
Stop burning it, move your pet to fresh air, ventilate the room, and monitor symptoms. If symptoms are significant, persistent, or involve breathing changes, contact your veterinarian promptly.

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Useful Links & Collections

• Shop Pet Safe Collections
• Shop Dog Lover Gifts
• Shop Pet Memorial Candles
• Shop Personalised Candles

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Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and is not veterinary advice. For medical concerns or suspected toxicity, consult a veterinarian.