Are Soy Candles Safe for Dogs – Should We Be Concerned?

Soy candles are a popular choice for people who want to steer away from less environmentally friendly types of candles, but are soy candles safe for dogs?

When it comes to candles and dogs, we need to be mindful of the safety hazards that are involved. Firstly we need to think about any harmful odours that are released during use. In addition to this we should generally consider the dangers of naked flames near dogs as well as what could happen if your dog eats a soy candle.

But first let us understand what ingredients soy candles are made from.

What are the Ingredients of Soy Candles

Soy candles are made with soybean oil and then blended with fragrance oils to create a soothing ambiance. They burn cleaner than standard candles and they don’t release toxins into the air. To make your own soy candle, you need wax chips, one or more wicks, soybean oil in a container and essential oils for fragrance.

Soy candles are made from soybeans. They can be made in a variety of scents and colors. Soy candles are beneficial for those with allergies.

Do Soy Candles Release Harmful Toxins / Chemicals when Burnt?

Burning almost anything might release chemicals that could be harmful to your health.

Soy candles produce less soot and toxic chemicals than candles made from paraffin however even though the smoke from soy candles is cleaner, you should avoid breathing any type of smoke in especially over long periods of time.

Of course whilst it’s true the toxins are released when burning soy candles, in a well-ventilated area, the actual smoke is unlikely to have any significant impact on your health.

This does of course remain true when it comes to your dog.

Dogs that have Allergies or Respiratory Problems

Allergies and respiratory problems are not just human problems, they can happen to dogs too.

The most common symptoms of allergies in dogs is sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes.

Dogs with asthma experience a chronic cough that is usually worse at night.

If your dog has allergies or respiratory problems, it is important to keep the air in your home as clean as possible therefore it is not wise to burn any kind of candle in this situation.

Are Soy Candles Dangerous to Dogs if they Eat it?

The key to answering this question is back in the ingredients of soy candles.

Truly natural, organic soy candles are made up of soy wax, which is a natural material that is not harmful to humans or animals.

Artisan and commercial candle makers also add other ingredients to their candles and so it’s these other things that could be harmful to your dog if consumed in larger quantities. Of course the list of additional ingredients would be too long to list here so it’s worth checking on the ingredient list before purchasing your next soy candle. It should be noted that the more natural the ingredient the less chance there is of it being harmful to your dog.

If your dog accidentally ingests a relatively small amount of candle wax, it will likely have absolutely no negative effects on them.

The Dangers of Dogs Being Near Naked Flames

Dogs are a part of the family and it is only natural that we want to keep them safe.

The dangers of dogs being near naked flames are very real.

If you have a fireplace or gas heater, there is always the risk that your dog will knock over the logs or touch the burner.

This could lead to serious injuries or even death.

It’s just as important to keep dogs away from burning candles as the same concerns exist.

Does this mean that you cannot burn soy candles when your dog is with you?

Not exactly, there are a couple of things to remember.

1. Keep the candle out of reach of the dog but do remember, some dogs can jump much higher than we realise.
2. When you light the candle make sure that it is on a safe and secure surface. Dogs can easily bump into and knock whatever the candle if sat on which can cause it to fall when the risk of injury to the dog and yourself is very real.

Conclusion

Just like children we must look after our dogs and protect them from things that might harm them.

Whilst burning soy candles can be good for us in all kinds of ways it doesn’t come without dangers to our pets.

When we ask the question are soy candles safe for dogs the answer is not a straight forward yes.

The greatest danger comes from the candle flame itself so we must keep our dogs away from the burning flame.

I’d love to hear from you, do tell me your thoughts on this concern.