Are Glade Plug-Ins Safe for Dogs?

As pet owners, we want to create a safe and comfortable environment for our beloved dogs.

However, when it comes to using air fresheners like Glade plug-ins, caution must be exercised.

Your dog can react to these air fresheners, so it is always better to be safe than sorry.

 I know this from personal experience.

When I became a pet parent for the first time a couple of years back, I didn’t think that an air freshener can harm my furry baby.

But after using the plug-in device for a couple of minutes, my dog started coughing and I couldn’t figure out what the issue was.

I initially thought something was stuck in his throat and as you may imagine, I was petrified.

But as I was to later learn from the vet, the dog was just reacting to the air freshener.

Phew!

All I needed to do was to stop using the glade-plugin and I never have had to deal with that scare again!

Glade Plug-ins vs. Safety of Your Dog

Pet parents may want to desist from using Glade plug-ins or any air freshener for that matter.

This is because they contain oils and chemicals that may be toxic to pets, leading to various health complications.

Let’s have a look at some of these ingredients in more detail to understand the threat they pose to your dog.

Essential oils

Glade plugins utilize essential oils and some essential oils are often toxic to dogs.

These oils can result in respiratory issues, skin irritation, and even liver damage.

Glade Plug-Ins use fragrance infused with essential oils to provide a pleasant scent.

However, the specific essential oils used in the Glade Plug-Ins may vary depending on the fragrance.

Some of the essential oils that are used in the different fragrances include lavender, eucalyptus, bergamot, clove, cinnamon, patchouli, vanilla, and peppermint.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Glade plug-ins, just like most other air fresheners, contain VOCs, which can cause respiratory irritation when inhaled in large quantities.

Once affected, your dog may start sneezing and coughing or you may notice a discharge from his eyes and nose.

While it is not clear which VOCs are found in Glade plug-ins, a survey of most air fresheners found them to have over 100 compounds some of which are classified as toxic by Federal Law.

Negative Effects of Glade Plug-in on Dogs

Different dogs will respond differently to the toxic substances in Glade plug-ins.

Some dogs will start exhibiting the symptoms in a couple of minutes while others will only show the signs after days from the first exposure.

Apart from sneezing, coughing, and vomiting, your dog may also start withdrawing from the area where the air freshener is located.

Other signs include discharge from the eyes and nose, experience lethargy, or loss of appetite.

It is, therefore, a good idea not to use Glade plug-ins in households that have dogs (as well as cats).

However, in situations where using an air freshener is necessary, ensure the room is well-ventilated and keep the products out of your pet’s reach because ingesting an air freshener can be even more dangerous than inhalation.

Alternatives to Glade Plug-Ins for a Fresh-Smelling Home

So, what do you do as a pet parent?

Should you resign to fate and accept that your house will always smell funny?

Well, the good news is there are lots of options to have a fresh-smelling home without putting your dog and other pets at risk.

Here are some options that you can consider:

1. Pet-Friendly Air Fresheners: There are lots of pet-friendly air fresheners on the market. Be sure to get one that is made with dogs in mind because different species are affected by different compounds. You can get these pet-friendly fresheners at your local pet store or even on Amazon.

2. DIY Air Fresheners: If you are looking for a scent, you can make your own potpourri by boiling flowers. Be sure to keep the potpourri out of reach of your pets as they may be a choking hazard.

3. Baking Soda: Sprinkling baking soda on the floor, furniture, rags, and seats is an awesome hack for dealing with bad odors. The baking soda will absorb the odors and then you can vacuum the surfaces later.

4. Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal can also work to absorb bad odors. You can buy activated charcoal from your local pet store or get it online. Just place the activated charcoal on the areas that need freshening up and then vacuum it after about an hour.

5. White Vinegar: Placing bowls that have white vinegar in different rooms can also help to freshen up the air. Alternatively, you can mix the vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:1 and then mist up the room to deal with any odors.

What to do If Your Pet Has Been Exposed to Glade Plug-ins

If your dog gets exposed to Glade plug-ins or any other air freshener, you may want to take some steps to ensure the effects are not too huge.

For the most part, dogs will not start showing symptoms of exposure for at least an hour and it may take days for some dogs.

So, you may still want to take action even if you do not have any signs that your dog may be suffering from the exposure.

Here are some steps you can take:

• Immediately remove your pet from the area to prevent further exposure. If you act quickly, the dog will not show any signs and he will be just fine.

• Consult with your vet. If your dog has been exposed for a long time, it is a good idea to consult with your vet to ensure everything is fine with your furry baby. This is especially so if your dog has started showing signs of illness like coughing, sneezing, vomiting, lethargy, nasal or eye discharge, or loss of appetite.

• Put off the Glade plug-in and ventilate the area by opening windows and doors to help dissipate the scent and chemicals.

Closing Thoughts

Instead of using Glade plug-ins, it is better to go with safe natural alternatives.

However, do not assume that because you have pet-friendly products, your dog will automatically be safe.

 You will still need to take necessary precautions to ensure safety.

For instance, avoid overusing the products. Additionally, monitor your dog to ensure they are comfortable as some substances that are considered safe may still have some negative effects on some dogs.

References

Respiratory irritants go beyond dogs, cats – cdn.mdedge.com. Available at: https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/issues/articles/71395_main_3.pdf (Accessed: 24 May 2023).

Author links open overlay panelBeatrice Carlone a et al. (2018) The effects of green odour on domestic dogs: A pilot study, Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159118300765 (Accessed: 24 May 2023).

Wells, D.L. (2006) Aromatherapy for travel-induced excitement in dogs, AVMA. Available at: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/229/6/javma.229.6.964.xml (Accessed: 24 May 2023).

https://blog.petwellbeing.com/freshening-up-around-pets-be-mindful-of-these-scented-dangers

https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/air-fresheners-and-pets

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-make-potpourri-1316138