Pets and candles?

[Cwilco01]

Hey everyone!!! This is my first post, I'm not sure what part in the forum to post this in. I have found this forum to be very helpful and really enjoy what others have posted, you all seem like friendly, knowledgeable ppl.

I'm very interested in making candles since being inspired by a mia bella candle that I got for x-mas this year. The only problem is my pet cat.

After burning this strong scented mixed cinnamon/ginger/vanilla "holiday memories" scented palm wax mia bella candle regularly for almost two weeks I noticed that my cat Koda's third eye lid was inflamed (only her R eye). I work at an eye clinic so I just brought home some ofloxcin (anti-inflammatory) drops from work and put them in her eye. It took down the inflammation and I didn't think much of it until it happened again with the second candle (asian plum). This time it was the L eye lid that was inflamed.

I asked a vet ophth dr what he thought and he said it sounded viral. I put her on viral meds and this did not fix the problem. I'm assuming its the candles, as it seems to only happen after burning them (which I havent since this realization). I really want to start making and burning candles, but cant give up or hurt my cat. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, could she be allergic to certain smells or is it more likely the FO in the air? The palm wax? If i used EOs instead of FOs would that help? Any info would be appreciated.

Sorry I wrote a book,..lol I just want u to have all the info needed. I hope my pic attachments work. The second pic is blurry, she is hard to photograph. Shes a different breed of cat so she not angry/sad or anything, this is just how she always looks...lol She didn't seem bothered by her eye. The last pic is how her eye normally looks.

Thx everyone!!

[AntoniasCreations]

Im sorry I dont have any help for you, I just wanted to say your cat is beautiful. I wish my DH would let me get a cat, but he has allergies.

[Fern-Marie]

Stop.

If I had, or made, a candle that had that kind of an effect on my kids, I would stop.

This is why I make 'flame-free' candles. Because I have my furry kids to consider.

The wick and FO burning isn't good for anyone, especially in closed up areas, or persons with allergies. It is bad to breathe. I won't have flame in my house because I'm afraid of the kids getting into it.

She's obviously got a sensitivity to whatever you are burning. Remove the problem and let her heal. Be careful that you don't cause her to have a respiratory illness, if she's that sensitive it is a possibility.

Betcha you'll see a difference. But stop until she's cleared up. You're going to make it worse if you continue.

I use all soy, no dyes anymore either. No reports of any allergies, headaches, eye problems or any reactions from anyone. It's working great for me, DH, and the kids.

Good luck with her. Give her a hug for me!

Fern-Marie

[Cwilco01]

I have stopped and won't continue any candle use until I get some feed back on any alternatives (if there are any). If the only solution is to give up candles than i can do that, I'm just hoping there was a way to compromise or burn a candle that we can both live with happily. Thx for the FB I will give her a kitty hug fer ya.

[Fern-Marie]

Have you thought about wickless candles? If you have a candle warmer, you can always try it and see if it works better for you when she is healed.

F

[Cwilco01]

I've used the tarts in an electric warmer (I don't know if that is basically the same thing as a wickless candle or not) but not the wickless candles. She had no reaction to the tarts, but I only used occasionally for short periods of time. I can certainly give the wickless candles a try. i was also thinking (after she heals) trying a candle that doesnt throw like a baseball player like these mia bella candles. They are soooo super strong. Or maybe even a weaker scented aroma therapy w essencial oils? Thanks for the ideas and info.

[Vicky_CO]

Be careful she may actually be allergic to Fragrance oils a lot of animals are. Burning candle or even wickless my be a no no around your cat. It is no different that people that are scent sensitive.

Scent sensitive people experience things like this

Headache

water eyes or runny nose

swelling of sensitive areas like the eyes

hives

The list pretty much goes on. I know some people so bad they can not even walk by an outside booth with scented things.These same people have problem with other people's perfume or cologne.

[Candybee]

Stop.

If I had, or made, a candle that had that kind of an effect on my kids, I would stop.

This is why I make 'flame-free' candles. Because I have my furry kids to consider.

The wick and FO burning isn't good for anyone, especially in closed up areas, or persons with allergies. It is bad to breathe. I won't have flame in my house because I'm afraid of the kids getting into it.

She's obviously got a sensitivity to whatever you are burning. Remove the problem and let her heal. Be careful that you don't cause her to have a respiratory illness, if she's that sensitive it is a possibility.

Betcha you'll see a difference. But stop until she's cleared up. You're going to make it worse if you continue.

I use all soy, no dyes anymore either. No reports of any allergies, headaches, eye problems or any reactions from anyone. It's working great for me, DH, and the kids.

Good luck with her. Give her a hug for me!

Fern-Marie

You're kidding right?!! If you have an allergy to fragrance its not going to matter whether its coming from a wickless candle or one made with soy. It comes from the fragrance.

When someone has an allergy to certain fragrances they should not be using them in any form.

[Caramel]

Aw, poor furbaby! Reminds me of my fatbutt, Leo (he is an all orange tabby and I also have another brownish-black/white/tan tabby named Cleo; both are mutts I got from a rescue shelter).

As for the candles affecting them, I have no advice here. I have been doing candles (testing phase) for little over a month and my babies have not been affected. I will say that they had eye issues the first six months home with us and we wondered what was bothering them, but it worked out and they have been fine. But I will definately pay attention to see if my candles or other projects is affecting them.

I hope Koda gets better soon- so precious!

[coconut]

Be careful she may actually be allergic to Fragrance oils a lot of animals are. Burning candle or even wickless my be a no no around your cat. It is no different that people that are scent sensitive.

Scent sensitive people experience things like this

Headache

water eyes or runny nose

swelling of sensitive areas like the eyes

hives

The list pretty much goes on. I know some people so bad they can not even walk by an outside booth with scented things.These same people have problem with other people's perfume or cologne.

I am one of those people with allergies to certain scents. Perfumes and the scents in cleaning products and air fresheners put me way over the edge. However, I can safely use most of Peak's scents, except the "clean" scents, without a problem. Certain types of candles seem to be especially problamatic and have even been said to kill pet birds-most notably the Glade scented candles. It sounds like your fur-baby is allergic to something in the mia bella candles despite internet claims to the contrary. Before you invest in making candles, you might buy some from the fine chandlers on the board and see how kitty reacts to those. Cinnamon is a very irritating natural oil so you might try something a little more mellow and see what happens. I can't take too much cinnamon. Good luck.

[cindym]

Talk to the Vet.

[Cwilco01]

I love tabby cats.. Especially the fattys... I bet Koda and fattbut Leo would make some cute kittens:)

I have also heard that with cinnamon as well, haha and that's my favorite scent.

Well I live in Denver and peak candle supply is a 15 min drive so i could easily get small portions of their products. I can make the candles outside and just quit burning in the house, or maybe just try lightly clean scented candles and see how she does. Damn fur baby, I should just make a kitty freshener out of her, that would take care of the problem:) Thx everyone for all the info, its very helpful.

[islandgirl]

Sorry to hear about your putty Cat..

Hope she gets better soon..

It's the Mia Bella Candles.. They bother me to!!

[WhitePineCandle]

My girlfriend is a veterinarian and she says it could be an allergic reaction.

[Caramel]

FreakyHamsta- Cat porn!:

Cleo: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=338137274&albumID=831000&imageID=7634518

Leo: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=338137274&albumID=831000&imageID=7634770

[Abbiepql]

I talked to my vet before adopting feral kitties. He said as long as I used FO and avoided certain EO's I would be fine. Also to watch for their whiskers and tails - so I use candle shades! One thing to consider and I am not familar with that particular brand or fragrance...but very spicy candles, especially ones with cinnamon can inflame mucus membranes in people as well as animals. I wear a goggles & a respirator to pour anything with a great deal of cinnamon and only burn those scents in rooms the cats don't frequent. One time I put one of those air fresheners on my AC filter in cinnamon and my eyes burned for days until I figured out what it was, same thing with a cinnamon dipped decorative broom. Not to mention my lungs were not very fond of it either. There are other fragrances that can aggravate the senses, mints, eucylptus, menthol, peppers, strong citruses - etc.

[Sharon in KY]

I have heard of cats and candles before. I always thought it was the flame thing so not sure if it's a scent thing. If you want to try one of my candles to see if it bothers your cat, I will send you one and if you have a tart warmer I'll send a couple of tarts. At least with your own homemade candles or tarts you will know what is in them.

[Fern-Marie]

Vicky is absolutely right, as usual. I get horrible headaches from candles ....burning, wicked.

Not so with Gel Candles I have burned - oddly enough, nor Soy that I burned or did wickless with. None of my tarts with soy or wickless with soy bother me, and doesn't seem to bother the kids. Admittedly, I am sensitive.

Yankee....kills me. All of it, can't handle any of them. I assume that if I have such a bad time. imagine what the furries are experiencing and can't tell me. Scary, isn't it.

I have been thinking about this kitty all day. I hope she is ok. Ok, have to send more cuddles.

Fern-Marie

[Tess]

You're kidding right?!! If you have an allergy to fragrance its not going to matter whether its coming from a wickless candle or one made with soy. It comes from the fragrance.

When someone has an allergy to certain fragrances they should not be using them in any form.

I was thinking the same thing. If your allergic than your allergic. Does not matter with wick or without.

If I am allergic to milk drinking it through a straw is not going to make a difference than drinking it by cup.

[islandgirl]

I'm Telling ya.. IT'S MIA BELLA CANDLES!!!

They gag me and make my eyes water!!!

[kandlekrazy]

Poor baby!

I'd definitely try a different mfg before giving up completely. Don't invest in trying to make them yourself until you know for sure. Mia Bella candles are way too strong for me. I'm sensitive to certain fo's but Mia Bella's I can't burn at all without getting multiple symptoms. Someone told me they use dry powdered scents not fo's. If it is the fo scent itself, it's not going to matter if you burn or melt it, but it just could be a wax allergy and the palm may be the culprit. I have to wear a mask when I make palm candles or I can't stop sneezing and I can't burn them at all in my house.

islandgirl you crack me up with that report button! LOL

[Cwilco01]

cwilco01=Freakyhamsta

This is freakyhamsta, I thought that screen name was a little over kill for this forum so I changed it,.. this one is also easier to remember.

Well I'm going to get some supplies and make some candles out side. I'm just not going to burn any in the same room as koda (for now)

Carmel<> I love the cat porn LOL!!!!! that is awesome, they are very cute.

ooooh and Koda is doing fine!!

Thx everyone you all have great info!!

[Fern-Marie]

I was thinking the same thing. If your allergic than your allergic. Does not matter with wick or without.

If I am allergic to milk drinking it through a straw is not going to make a difference than drinking it by cup.

Sorry, thought my point was clear. My allergies from candles come strictly from burning....the wickless and tarts do not bother me, smelling the FO's does not bother me either - obviously since I make them and many other fragranced items as well.

I've never tried a Mia Bella, but I know that burning Yankee Candles just kills me, however, Home Interiors does not. So, for me, it's not the fragrance, it is the candle burning, and specifically Yankee...which I find too strong anyway. They make me physically sick...due to the strength of the FO and their burning.

I use soy, but could be some brand of paraffin or another that bothers me. But it is the burning specifically. What is it about those Yankee Candles?

Fern-Marie

[beekeeper_sd]

I have stopped and won't continue any candle use until I get some feed back on any alternatives (if there are any). If the only solution is to give up candles than i can do that, I'm just hoping there was a way to compromise or burn a candle that we can both live with happily. Thx for the FB I will give her a kitty hug fer ya.

Try beeswax candles. Beeswax candles are perfect for people who have allergies and I have read that beeswax candles are the only kind you should burn if you have pet birds.