Humans use incentive sticks for the simple pleasure of well-being, and scent pleasure when trying to indulge the meditative practice and relaxation.
Those aromatic biotic materials also known as combustible chemicals coated In aromatic essential oils can be harmful and annoying for our pets. Cats are pretty much sensitive, so it will be of great importance to mention certain facts and conditions if sharing space with them.
Popularity of Incense and use
Incense is mostly used for religious worship, aromatherapy, and aesthetic reasons. Incense was being used in Ancient Egypt to preserve houses from bad smells, but it continued to be used centuries from then because of the benefits on the mood and mind.
They were also used in Ancient China in 2000 BC for religious ceremonies. During the Song Dynasty rule in China, there were buildings specially built for incense ceremonies, and that was a peak for using them.
From a religious point of view, the incense was a symbol of a sacrificial offering to spirits and served to the prayers. Almost all religions use incense although they all have different names and are made in a variety of ways. Besides religion, these incense are used in modern homes for completely different reasons.
According to aromatherapy some fragrances can increase relaxation, reduce stress, and purify the mind.
In meditation, these calming scents help to deepen it and ease the mindfulness practices.
Types of Incense: Incense sticks, Cone incense, and Powdered Incense
Wondering who invented the incense, the answer is simple. They date from ancient China where people made them from a blend of certain herbs. The most popular herbs were cinnamon and sandalwood which are widely used even now when modern incense is made.
The fragrant whisp of smoke has been woven into the rich tapestry of culture worldwide due to the sensory experiences that it makes when burned. The captivating fragrances are believed to have benefits which is the main reason they are still modern and used no matter for religious, cultural, or simple well-being intentions.
Incense sticks are the most popular and available to buy in different lengths, so they can aromatize a big space or be cut and stop burning. Since the thickness of the stick is the same throughout its length the intensity of the released aroma will be equal.
Incense cones are light at their top point and as they come to the bottom the released fragrance is stronger. They are also known to last shorter than the sticks.
Incense powder is a bit harder to burn and control because you have to sprinkle it on charcoal and let burn slowly.
Components of Incense and combustion agents
The composition of incense used to be a family secret or nowadays a commercial secret it is widely known that it is made of a combination of fragrant gums, wood powders, herbs, and spices. Combustion agent’s presence in incense is not acknowledged and it can be freely said that the toxicity of these products depends on the brand you are using.
Inhaling the PM fractions that contribute to oxidative stress implicates a biochemical reaction. The burnt ash adds to this toxicity which directly demonstrates that incense combusting materials are toxic for both humans and animals.
Harmful effects on cats
This detailed history and analytics of the incense, here are a few points about their harmful effect on cats.- Respiratory issues: Inhaling the smoke of the fragrance sticks the cat can feel respiratory obstacles or even develop a respiratory disease.
- Allergic reactions: Some cats do have an allergy to certain components present in incense, that you may not know of, and it will be a real problem.
- Toxicity: As for humans and considering the size of a cat in comparison with a human it can be very toxic for your cat while inhaling incent smoke.
So, if you want to burn a fragrance stick please place your cat in a safe spot that has good ventilation. The room should preferably be on the other part of your living space. You should also keep the incense out of reach of your cat. They are curious animals and they can eat incense which may bring minor or even big intestinal upset, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or something worse.
After burning incense, since we concluded it is not at all recommended to burn it around your cat, you should not only keep the cat in a well-ventilated room but also ventilate the whole house. Open all the windows just for the safety of your cat.
Distress on cats
Cats can show upper respiratory signs after burning incense in their surroundings and be very sensitive to the smell, or give you other signs like watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, or congestion.Tips for cat owners and alternatives
Being an owner of an indoor cat and still addicted to burning incense for any reason it might be a good idea to ask some of your close friends or relatives to take care of the cat for a while.
In case you burn fragrance sticks for the smell of your house to feel nice you can also use some alterations.
Using a Febreze will make the home smell nice. It is proven safe from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. While using this product do not spray it close to your cat and let it dry before your cat comes close to it.
You can burn pet-friendly candles made of non-toxic ingredients like soy wax, beeswax, coconut wax, or any vegetable vax. As a reminder, keep the candles away from the reach of your cat.
An air purifier can be a great eliminator of pet odors or simply destroy the allergens that are a cause of the odor. These purifiers sanitize the air by vacuuming the pollutants as a fan and sending them to a filter. Clean air is released back into the space.
According to previously said, the alternatives are a better choice than incense which is harmful for your cat’s health.
