Suspicious that the kennel deodorizer/air freshener you’re using could be doing more harm than good? You have good cause for concern. These fragrance-filled products only mask the stink, covering up “wet dog smell,” urine smells, and other nasty pet odors with something stronger. It becomes a battle of which has the most potent scent: the pet odor or the pet deodorizer.
In the end, it’s everyone in the home who loses, including our pets. Both humans and our loyal companions can suffer from coughing fits, irritated airways, and nausea or vomiting when exposed to fragrance-filled deodorizers and air fresheners.
What can you do to protect yourself and those you love? Knowledge is power, so keep reading as we uncover the scary truth about kennel deodorizers, and what you can use instead with peace of mind.
Why “Fragrance” Is a Red Flag in Kennel Deodorizers
Of all our senses, smell is most strongly linked to memory. That’s why there’s air fresheners/deodorizers like pumpkin pie (think fun Thanksgiving Day gathering) or “Island Nectar” (remember that awesome trip to Hawaii?).
Scents like these can spark memories and bring us back to some of our favorite times. Unfortunately, there’s nothing resembling clove, pumpkin and nectar in these deodorizers. Instead, the smells are created through a concoction of chemicals and preservatives, including perhaps the most concerning chemicals of them all: phthalates.
Phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) are a group of chemicals used to make plastics stronger and more flexible. So why are phthalates in fragrances? They’re used as carrier agents to make the scents last longer.
Women and kids often have more exposure to phthalates. Women because, in general, they use more beauty products, and small children because they tend to stick anything and everything plastic in their mouths! Of course, that doesn’t mean men are off the hook. When air fresheners are sprayed into the air, everyone gets exposed.
Phthalates Are Linked To:
- Reproductive Problems, Including Low Sperm Count
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Genital Birth Defects in Baby Boys
The FDA has no regulations on the use of phthalates and does not require companies to list them on product labels. Instead, these chemicals hide under the “fragrance” umbrella (fragrance formulas are protected under trade secret law), so most people are none the wiser of how much they’re being exposed to chemicals. In fact, when the CDC tested 289 people, they found high levels of phthalates in all of the subjects’ blood samples.
Besides going fragrance-free, here are some additional ways to limit phthalate exposure, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
What Toxins Are in Popular Air Fresheners?
In our research, here’s what we uncovered among the ingredient lists of some common deodorizer brands. We won’t name names, but will instead call them Product A, B and C.
- Product A: Butane (gaseous fuel derived from petroleum), Propane (liquefied petroleum gas) and Fragrance.
- Product B: Alcohol and Fragrance.
- Product C: Ethanol – 58%; Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate (a chemical linked to asthma and rashes) – 0.10%; “Other Ingredients” – 41.90%. Yikes – that’s a lot of “other stuff” we’re left to wonder about! Also included on the label was a precautionary statement of “hazards to humans and domestic animals.” No thank you!
Not only are the above ingredients a concern all on their own because they can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment, but they can also cause secondary pollutants, which are formed when a product’s chemicals mix and mingle with the ozone that’s already in the air. It’s like a double whammy against your indoor air quality.
Did you know? According to the Environmental Working Group, for female workers who are frequently exposed to air fresheners and cleaning products, it’s like having a pack-a-day cigarette habit for at least a decade.
Woah. Even Natural Deodorizers Can Pose a Problem for Pets.
Before you raid your essential oil stash and get diffusin’ to clear the air, know that certain essential oils – which are super potent by nature – can be harmful to dogs and cats. If your pack includes a bird, you’ll especially want to exercise caution, as their airways are extremely sensitive.
The oils that can be bad for pets include peppermint, pine, cinnamon, tea tree (melaleuca) ylang-ylang and Citrus (d-limonene). These scents can often be found in natural cleaners and deodorizers too. In natural cleaners, sometimes the concentration of oils is so high (not natural in nature at all) that it can also impact the respiratory systems of young children as well as pets. Always look at the label of natural and “green” cleaning products, and if you want to use essential oils around pets, consult your veterinarian first.
Signs that a pet is reacting negatively to essential oils:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Wobbliness
- Lethargy
- Muscle Tremors
Best Kennel Deodorizer on the Block (And Beyond)
The nose knows: one of the best things you can do for all members of your pack is to simply go “fragrance-free.”
At Oxyfresh, we’re passionate about the health of pets. That’s why we only create products that are safe, gentle and effective for all the furry and fine-feathered friends, like our amazing Pet Deodorizer. This non-aerosol spray is 100 percent non-toxic and free of ALL fragrance. No phthalates, no harsh chemicals.
Dog boarders, groomers and “pawsome” dog and cat owners like you love this fragrance-free pet deodorizer because it gets rid of odors completely rather than masking odors artificially.
Fragrance-free is super important for those who own pet businesses too, as different people can have different reactions to fragrances. With Oxyfresh Pet Deodorizer, these worries are off the table.
Our secret is Oxygene®, an Oxyfresh-exclusive ingredient that neutralizes odors on contact via the gentle process of oxidation … no byproducts are produced! Powerful yet gentle, Oxygene® neutralizes even the strongest pet odors like skunk smell. Use in the kennel, crate, litter box, or even directly on pets when there’s no time for a bath. Your home will finally stop smelling like pets!
Try Oxyfresh Pet Deodorizer today and get your animal-loving home or business smelling fresh again without the use of fragrances. Your pets will thank you. Woof!
