Are Candles Safe for Pets?
What to know before lighting a candle in a home with dogs, cats or birds.
A comforting scent should come with clear information. No candle is risk-free for every pet: flames, hot wax, smoke and fragrance all deserve consideration. Your pet’s species, breathing health and ability to leave the room matter as much as an ingredient label.
Dogs and cats: start with careful use
Keep candles on a stable surface where a curious nose, jumping cat or wagging tail cannot reach them. Never leave a flame unattended, and extinguish it before leaving the room. The ASPCA’s candle safety advice highlights burns and fires caused by pets knocking candles over.
Fragrance exposure can also be a concern, especially for animals with respiratory sensitivities. Use ventilation, allow pets to leave the space and stop using scented products if they seem uncomfortable. Ask your veterinarian before using fragrance around an animal with asthma or other breathing problems.
Birds need extra protection
Avoid burning scented candles around birds. The Association of Avian Veterinarians’ household dangers guide identifies scented candles and smoke as household hazards. Soy wax, cotton wicks and phthalate-free fragrance do not make a candle bird-safe. Ventilation should not be treated as a guarantee of safety.
For birds and other particularly sensitive animals, choose a flameless, fragrance-free alternative and discuss home fragrance with a veterinarian familiar with the species.
Wax, fragrance and wicks: what to look for
Wax: Read the actual wax description. “Natural” or “soy” describes an ingredient; it does not establish that the finished candle is safe for every animal.
Fragrance: Look for specific ingredient information instead of relying on “non-toxic” or “pet-safe” alone. Essential oils are not automatically safer because they come from plants. The Humane Society of Broward County’s candle guide discusses fragrance exposure and respiratory sensitivity.
Wicks and care: Follow the manufacturer’s wick-trimming and burn instructions. Keep the wax free of debris, place the candle away from drafts and flammable materials, and extinguish a candle that is smoking heavily. Keep hot wax and fragrance oils inaccessible to pets.
Earthroots’ approach
Our candles are hand-poured in small batches in Bend, Oregon with soy wax, cotton wicks and carefully selected fragrance oils. Our product information describes the ingredient exclusions used in our formulas. These choices are part of our approach to thoughtful home fragrance; they are not a veterinary safety certification or a promise of risk-free exposure.
Our pet-safe candles page explains what we mean by the phrase and brings together ingredients, care advice and shopping links. You can also explore the candle collection or contact us about a specific product.
A simple pre-lighting checklist
- Check your candle’s care label and keep it on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
- Keep flames, matches, hot wax and fragrance products away from pets and children.
- Stay in the room while the candle burns.
- Let dogs and cats move away from fragrance; avoid scented candles around birds.
- Choose flameless, fragrance-free ambience when fragrance or combustion is unsuitable for your household.
If your pet develops breathing difficulty or seems unwell after exposure, stop the exposure and contact a veterinarian promptly. This guide provides general information, not individual veterinary advice.
By Earthroots Apothecary • Updated September 27, 2026