Smelly pets.

Do you love your pets but not so much their smells?

Many pet owners struggle with the associated smells, inherent to keeping an animal in your home. It's true enough that very few people will savour the whiff of dog or cat food, a litter tray or even the after effects of the occasional accident.

But when trying to combat this issue, it's important to recognise that air fresheners, essential oils and just the methods you use to deal with the smell, might not be as nice for your pet as it is for you.

Most air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's), which are organic chemicals required for an air freshener to do what it does... dissipating into the air. They can cause:

*Eye, nose and throat irritation.

*Headaches, loss of coordination, lethargy and nausea.

*Damage to liver, kidneys and the CNS.

*Some can cause cancers in animals and some are suspected or known to cause cancers in humans.

There's frequently a belief that essential oils are better because they're "natural". Unfortunately, this is a misconception. They are also defined as volatile and cats, dogs and birds can all be very sensitive to the dangers of certain oils. The particles are airborne, so get inside their nose and airways, in the ears, eyes and stomach. All the above listed concerns are valid with essential oils too and skin irritations are a common reaction. Scented candles, incense and atomisers are equally as problematic. In fact, essential oils are associated with neurological problems like agitation, weakness, unsteadiness and tremors.

Carpet fresheners and products designed to freshen up soft furnishings are well known for causing terrible skin irritations, bald patches and worse.

It might be tempting to regularly bathe them, but our pets skin emits natural oils that are vital for helping them stay warm and to prevent water from penetrating to the deepest layers of the coat. So unless there's a seriously valid reason to do so (such as having fox poo or other excrement on them), it's preferable to avoid soaps/shampoos and use water alone. Breeds that are known for hunting have a tendency to roll in strong smelling substances they come across on their travels. This is to mask their own scent when hunting and is instinctive behaviour. It's also worth considering a bucket or even a hose pipe outside. This might sound harsh, but a shower tray or bath is slippy for an animal that stands on its toes and bathrooms echo. Not to mention, there's no apparent escape, so it's unsurprising that they're going to panic. At least outside, they can shake at will (without soaking you and your bathroom) and can escape immediately once the ordeal is over. Even during the winter months, with their fur coat and the help of those oils that keep them warm and dry, unlike us, a quick wash outside won't do any harm and will cause less stress than a terrifying bathroom trauma. Our pets scent is massively important to them. It's how other animals identify them and similar to how vital our names are to us. Imagine losing your name for a week and nobody could recognise you.

It's advised you avoid bathing more than once a month, if possible. It depends on the reason for bathing, your pets conscientiousness when it comes to self grooming and the weather. Only use products made for animals. Don't fall for the myth of baby shampoo being ok because it's mild. Newsflash!! It's actually not at all.

Try a different way of managing the shared airspace.

Un-neutered animals may smell unappealing, but it's really unfair to make them suffer when considering the number of pets needing homes, the responsible owner neuters their pets. It's an important health matter and prevents a womb literally rotting inside females, or erratic and aggressive behaviour (including violent fighting) in males. A common problem experienced by cat owners is "spraying" either by a Tom they own or an intruding rival. It's definitely a smell that you don't want to live with, but the solution is adequate cleaning. This isn't one that can just be "spritzed" over.

https://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/19932510.pdsas-pet-care-neutering-important-protecting-pets/

The thing that's really important to note when thinking about using a scented product of any kind in a home you share with a pet, is how potent they are for us. When we consider the super heightened sense of smell our animal friends enjoy, the smell alone can be so overwhelming that it will be unbearable for them. 

It really is best to just open the window whenever possible as the first and best option.

If you do still feel you want to use a product to sweeten the air in the home (afterall, that yummy food you fed them often smells less yummy as flatulence strikes), it's best to check with your vet first, to ensure it's a suitable option for you both. Certain breeds especially can be highly strung and are known for some eyewatering bottom burps!! Charcoal biscuits are cheap and widely available at supermarkets and pet food suppliers. It's long been the "go-to" for setting a dicky tummy.

A common complaint is the "wet dog" smell. Refraining from unnecessarily stripping away those natural oils in the coat, which help repel water when they do that whole body shake manoeuvre, will minimise the duration of this smell. 

Vets warn that negative effects may immediately be apparent, or within a few hours/days of use. They might withdraw from the area or cower. Other signals of potential issues are coughing, sneezing, discharge coming from the eyes/nose, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or a loss of appetite.

Cats have an increase in feline asthma where air fresheners, cigarette smoke or just the aroma of cleaning products are present.

The litter box is an obvious target for action. Changing the product you use for absorption and your routine for cleaning it, can both make a big difference.

The residues from these airborne scents can build up in carpets and soft furnishings, so you might want to do a steam clean for a fresh start. People who have used these products for a longer period of time often become used to it over time and may be unable to realistically assess the strength of the product, in which case it's advised to ask a third party to step in. Beware of greenwashing. A label declaring a product as being "all natural" or "green" is a marketing tactic with no legal or regulatory status, so check beyond the description. 

Alternative solutions to try.

Remember that most people prefer "unscented". It's fine for a home to smell like... well, a home. Rather than a bunch of orchids, a spring fresh rainfall or a tropical rainforest.

Some safe alternatives are small jars/pots containing bicarbonate of soda, which are brilliant for absorbing smells.

Cleaning well is always going to improve matters and is something that is unavoidable if you have animals in your domicile. Food and water bowls, bedding, toys, litter trays, soft furnishings and carpets, any areas of wall that might be subject to spraying or rubbing of the coat, are all crucial areas to focus on when cleaning. Keep an eye open for stray scraps of food that may have been dropped somewhere and could be rotting.

Simmer pots, where ingredients such as apple cider, spices and dried fruits are simmered gently on the stove, are much nicer than most proprietary products available on the supermarket shelf.

Another useful tool in your quest for fresh air is found in house plants. But there are a number of common plants that can be toxic for our furry friends, so it's important to check which are ok and which are nokay.

https://www.bhg.com.au/air-purifying-plants-that-are-safe-for-pets

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