Air fresheners containing peppermint and eucalyptus ingredients can strain pets' liver detoxification

Caution is needed as diffusers, perfumes, or air fresheners used to change the atmosphere of a home can threaten the health of pets. According to a video on the Uri Dongne Suiuisa YouTube channel, certain ingredients in fragrance products that humans use carelessly can cause fatal reactions in dogs and cats.

Causes: Lack of Liver Detoxification Ability and Sensitive Sense of Smell

The reasons why pets are vulnerable to fragrance products can be summarized into two main points. First is the difference in liver detoxification ability. Compared to humans, dogs and cats lack the enzymes necessary to break down chemical components. Therefore, even if a scent causes no particular problem when inhaled by a human, pets may experience strain on their organs because they cannot properly detoxify it in the liver.

Second is because their sense of smell is much more sensitive than that of humans. Even a scent that a guardian perceives as "smelling good" can come across as an excessively strong stimulus to a pet. The video explains that if a pet suddenly coughs or shows respiratory symptoms, the cause could be diffusers or cleaning agents like bleach used in the house recently. Furthermore, if a cat grooms itself while spray-type products are stuck to its fur, it may ingest the ingredients directly, which can cause digestive symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Ingredients Requiring Caution and Safe Indoor Management Methods

The video mentioned peppermint, eucalyptus, and citrus-based ingredients as components that require particular caution. While these ingredients are not unconditionally fatal to all pets, they can cause dangerous reactions depending on the individual, so it is recommended to choose products that have a low content of these ingredients or do not include them.

Alternatives were also suggested to maintain a pleasant indoor environment while protecting the health of pets. Instead of using fragrance products, one can ventilate frequently or utilize air purifiers. If products must be used to remove odors, using deodorizers specifically made for pets rather than general air fresheners will be more helpful in protecting their health.