A guide to using our candles, diffusers, and wax melts safely in homes with pets
At Cosy Aromas we completely understand how much people care about their pets, we’re animal lovers ourselves, and our own dogs and cats are often nearby when we’re working with our finished products. Their wellbeing (and yours) is always our top priority.
We know that online information about ‘toxic’ ingredients can be confusing, so this guide explains how our products are formulated, regulated, and how to use them responsibly around pets.
1. Product Safety & Legal Standards
All our products are made in full compliance with UK/EU safety regulations, including:
- CLP (Classification, Labelling & Packaging Regulation, EC No 1272/2008)
- IFRA (International Fragrance Association) standards
These regulations set strict limits on how much of each ingredient can be used and require all fragrance materials, whether natural or synthetic, to be assessed for safe use in normal household environments, including homes where pets are present.
Our products are also vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA certified. We never test on animals or use suppliers who do.
2. Understanding Fragrance Ingredients
The ingredient names you may see on our labels, such as linalool, limonene, citral, eugenol, or coumarin, are not additives or harsh chemicals.
They are naturally occurring fragrance molecules found in essential oils.
For example:
- Linalool – in lavender and basil oil
- Limonene – in orange and lemon peel
- Eugenol – in clove and cinnamon
- Citral – in lemongrass and lemon oil
Under CLP law, if even 0.001–0.01% of one of these allergens is present, it must be listed on the label, even though the amount is incredibly small.
This is a transparency requirement, not a warning of danger.
3. Natural vs. Synthetic Ingredients
‘Natural’ doesn’t always mean ‘safer,’ and ‘synthetic’ doesn’t mean ‘harmful.’
In fact, some essential oils are more allergenic than their nature-identical synthetic versions.
We use a careful balance of both natural and safe synthetic ingredients to achieve:
- High-quality fragrance
- Stability and consistency
- Reduced allergen potential
- Full safety compliance
4. Why ‘Toxic to Pets’ Information Online Can Be Misleading
When you search ingredients online, many websites or AI tools automatically flag certain compounds as ‘toxic to cats’ or ‘harmful to pets.’
This information is often based on pure, concentrated essential oils, not on the tiny trace amounts released into the air from a finished, compliant home fragrance product.
The key difference is dose and exposure.
Most toxicity cases in pets occur when:
- Essential oils are ingested or applied directly to the skin or fur
- Pets lick or chew candles, wax melts, or diffusers
- Undiluted oils are spilled or used in diffusers designed for aromatherapy, not household scenting
- Manufacturers that do not follow safety standards
The minuscule fragrance molecules dispersed in the air from our products are far below the levels associated with toxic exposure.
5. Pet-Friendly vs. Pet-Safe
We describe our products as pet friendly, not pet safe.
That distinction is important:
- ‘Pet safe’ suggests zero risk, but no fragranced product, natural or otherwise, can ever be 100% safe for every animal.
- ‘Pet friendly’ means our products are formulated and tested for safe use in normal home environments, following all EU/UK safety laws.
We encourage all customers to use common sense and follow responsible usage guidelines.
6. Safe Use Guidelines for Pet Owners
To enjoy your home fragrance safely around pets, we recommend:
- Use candles, melts, or diffusers in a well-ventilated room.
- Keep products out of reach of pets, especially reeds, wax, or open flames.
- Do not apply oils, wax, or fragrance directly to your pet’s skin or fur.
- Wash your hands after handling fragranced products before playing with your pet.
- Give your pets a break from scent now and then, especially if they stay in one room for long periods.
- Stop use immediately if your pet shows any signs of irritation, sneezing, or sensitivity, and consult your vet.
For Puppies and Curious Pets:
Puppies love to explore with their mouths and noses. Keep all candles, melts, and diffusers out of reach and supervise them closely. The main risk for young pets is ingestion or chewing, not airborne scent.
For Cats:
Cats have a unique liver enzyme system, making them more sensitive to concentrated oils. The levels in our products are considered safe for normal home use but always ensure good airflow and avoid confined spaces.
For Birds:
We recommend avoiding all fragranced products around tropical birds, they have extremely sensitive respiratory systems.
7. Our Commitment to Transparency
We’re committed to honesty, clarity, and responsible formulation.
We never hide ingredients, and we follow the same strict regulations required across the EU and UK for home fragrance safety.
Our team includes lifelong pet owners, and our own animals are regularly in the workshop during production, though they’re always kept away from raw materials, which are far more concentrated.
If there were any genuine risk from our finished products, we simply wouldn’t have them around.
8. In Summary
Our products are:
- Fully compliant with CLP and IFRA safety regulations
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA certified
- Made with care to be suitable for homes with pets
- Formulated for safe, responsible use, not direct contact or ingestion
Used with good ventilation, proper supervision, and common sense, our candles, wax melts, and diffusers can be safely enjoyed in homes with pets.
Your pets’ wellbeing comes first, always. If your animal ever shows signs of sensitivity, discontinue use and seek veterinary advice.
Still Have Questions?
If you’d like to discuss a specific scent or ingredient in more detail, we’re always happy to help.
You can reach us at support@cosyaromas.com and we’ll provide any safety information you need.
