Scentsy products

[Billy29]

Any of you use Scentsy warmers around your birds, Or use then in another room?

I was given one as a gift by a friend since I threw out all my yankee candles. I'm not sure if the oils in the warmers would irritate the bird. I'm looking on the internet right now but figured I would ask here also.

 

[getwozzy]

Oh good question! I'd like to know too! I want to use some sort of scent thing but I'm not sure either. My oldest dog is blind and once we move into our new house I want to be able to have a different scent in certain areas of the house to help her distinguish where she's at.

 

[Marcy]

Oh good question! I'd like to know too! I want to use some sort of scent thing but I'm not sure either. My oldest dog is blind and once we move into our new house I want to be able to have a different scent in certain areas of the house to help her distinguish where she's at.

I have wondered the same, my cousin is a top consultant! getwozzy I think its brilliant having different scents for each room. My best friend, that also has a daughter with autism like mine, is also blind, I am telling her this idea! Thank you!

 

[DallyTsuka]

my mother in law used to sell them... she told me that they're not safe for birds, as they are scented.

 

[getwozzy]

I have wondered the same, my cousin is a top consultant! getwozzy I think its brilliant having different scents for each room. My best friend, that also has a daughter with autism like mine, is also blind, I am telling her this idea! Thank you!

I read about those tips when I read a story on a blind elderly mastiff- I thought oh cool! Totally makes sense! Mishka's eyesight has deteriorated significantly in the last few years and she cant even see in front of her nose along with the different scents, they also used different textured area rugs for room transitions- especially in front of steps so they could "feel" it and know there was a step coming. Also, changing furniture and obstacles around was a no-no because then it would just create confusion.

 

[KimKim]

A consultant I talked to said it was safe around birds since nothing is burning.

 

[getwozzy]

A consultant I talked to said it was safe around birds since nothing is burning.

That was my thinking too

 

[getwozzy]

Ok. So I went snooping around other threads- there are a few others regarding scentsy/candles/air fresheners. This is what I gathered:

If you want to burn candles- make sure they have NO metal tabs that hold the wick at the bottom, make sure the wick is 100% cotton, the wax is 100% beeswax, and has NO scent. Others posted that the main issues are wicks with other elements that give off soot when burned, and scents that emit potentially harmful chemicals. also, some can cause allergic reactions in your fids.

Wax Warmers (scentsy)- here you don't have to worry about wicks, but it's the scents- some will emit harmful chemicals as the wax melts. Birds have delicate and sensitive respiratory systems and although it may not cause harm immediately, it could build up over time. Some members said they don't use wax warmers because of the scent issue, and others said they do use them- just not in the same room as their fids. Basically- use at your own risk and with caution.

Home bake- some members stated that they don't use any fresheners or candles of any kind, but instead simmer water with ingredients or bake cookies to create an aroma, safely.

 

[Marcy]

I read about those tips when I read a story on a blind elderly mastiff- I thought oh cool! Totally makes sense! Mishka's eyesight has deteriorated significantly in the last few years and she cant even see in front of her nose along with the different scents, they also used different textured area rugs for room transitions- especially in front of steps so they could "feel" it and know there was a step coming. Also, changing furniture and obstacles around was a no-no because then it would just create confusion.

awe that is so sad She does use the textured rugs & not moving furniture. I really love the idea of the smells! I texted her and told her, she loved it! Thank you!

 

[MonicaMc]

I prefer to err on the side of caution. I know there are bird owners out there using it, but I myself don't feel comfortable.

Bryn - I love Scentsy! But I stopped buying them after I was told that burning anything wax-based in your home is absolutely toxic for birds. I have a friend that just lost her Gray in Texas. Her vet was stumped so they did an autopsy and found his lungs were caked with wax, and he was on the opposite side of the house that they burned them.

Is it considered safe again? Because I miss my Scentsy!

Fragrance Safety: Clearing up the Confusion

Tara Andrus
3/15/2012
Hi Tina, many of our customers use Scentsy products with no adverse effect on their indoor birds. However, Scentsy cannot guarantee that our products are safe for use around all birds. Indoor birds can be very delicate.

According to bird veterinarians, breeders, and resellers, any scented product can cause illness or fatalities in birds. Dr. Marla Lichtenberger, DVM, stated in an article posted on The Bird Clinic - Bird Vet Dr. Larry Nemetz Avian Vet Orange CA Pet Birds "...airborne agents can create a critical respiratory event; aerosols, burning candles, incense, cleaning agents, or smoke (tobacco or any other source)." I hope this helps!

That said, there are supposedly some bird safe candles out there.

Bird Safe Candles



Me personally? I wouldn't burn or warm wax around my birds, scented or not. And yes, I do like candles!

 

[getwozzy]

that is so sad She does use the textured rugs & not moving furniture. I really love the idea of the smells! I texted her and told her, she loved it! Thank you!

It's very sad to watch her bump around in the yard, but she uses her nose to guide her and she has INCREDIBLE hearing! She has a constant companion in the dog yard though- her half brother, Apollo. I can hardly wait till our house is done and I can let her retire as an indoor dog- those two used to sleep in bed with me every night (great in winter!) until I moved and got married... Right now, we just don't have the indoor space to accommodate 3 large dogs :/ *sigh*

Apollo (top) & Mishka

Mishka (4 years ago)

I'm so glad your friend loved the idea! I'm glad I could help! I love being able to pass along useful information, even if it was inadvertently everything happens for a reason!!

 

[getwozzy]

Monica- I'd like to be able to use them, but I just can't let myself take that risk either :/ What about essential oils? Not too much, but just enough to give off a light scent??

 

[MonicaMc]

I've heard the essential oils are bad, too... but I also know a rescue that uses them for birds.

It's Anna of Macaw & Cockatoo Rescue. I temporarily considered using essential oils because of her, just as a shot in the dark. I ended up not doing so because I'm on edge about using it and I'm not home enough to use the oils as she recommended, thus also not home enough to monitor whether or not they would cause any harm to my flock.

In short, I'm not saying they are bad, but I'm not saying they are good, either. It's possible that some of them are perfectly safe to use and others may be dangerous. I don't know. I don't know enough about essential oils to really say one way or the other.

 

[laurend]

From my research prior to getting Missy, Scentsy is a safer alternative to candles, but I still am cautious in using my warmer if my U2 is near. Scentsy does not burn anything, so the only thing that could be harmful to birds are the oils in the wax bars. There are oils that are bird safe - you just have to do some research.

 

[Fae88]

I don't have a "Scentsy" warmer but I bought a really nice knock off Amazon. I was worried about my warmer because I know how most "smell goods" are bad for parrots. Recently I went to a local farmers market/flea market and there was a couple selling Ecco Soy Melts. They are homemade and don't have any extra additives.

I have my warmer in my kitchen and Skittles cage is in my living room across the house ( my house is small, 998 square feet). So we can still smell the warmer in the living room.

I don't know if these soy melts are any safer? I know they are easier on my asthma than any other air freshener.

I also don't leave my warmer on all day. It is probley on a total of 2-3 hours max a day. And I space those hours out. Because I find once the soy is melted down and smelling strong if I turn it off at that moment, the house stays smelling good for hours. And it only takes about 30 min for the squares to totally melt down. I also do not turn my warmer on every single day. It just gets turned on, on days that my house may smell a little "doggy".

So I like to *think* this isn't as harmful as other alternatives, but I am not 100% sure.

 

[WeimerHeimer]

My uderstanding and take on it is, if it smells (fragrance) regardless if it being burned off by an open flame or just melted in a warm pot it's NO good around any bird.

Fragance in candles is done by adding oil to the wax, like essential oils. A bird's lungs can NOT filter out/tolerate the vapor borne oils in the air like humans can. For one the shear size of human lungs compared to the lungs of even a large macaws is multiple times bigger. Bird's lungs just can't filter out the air borne oils or aerosol vapors for that matter.

I've often wonder about just simmering a Cinnamon Stick on the top the stove? I know some birds like cinnamon sticks to chew on.

 

[SparkkiSparkS]

I recently became a Scentsy consultant, but have been using it for years. It actually does not release any wax into the air.. just fragrance. I've never had any problems with my birds or reptiles because of it. It's all food grade paraffin wax blend.