Incense and cats

Q&A
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Merry meet,

I have a question. I want to start burning incense but I have two cats. What do you do to keep your cats safe?

Blessed be!

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This is a great question – honestly? There’s not much you can do besides burning herbs/incense that you know don’t have a toxic reaction with cats. There’s not really a “safe” incense to burn since, at its core, incense is still smoke and inhaling smoke can be bad. I would ensure that the room the incense is burned in is well-ventilated and the incense is out of reach of the cats. Also keep an eye on them for allergies or adverse reactions.

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@MeganB thanks for the advice. I was talking to my husband about it as well and forgot he has reactions to scents as well. I was planning to make my altar in a closet but it doesn’t have good circulation. So I might have to do my altar outside anyway

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Is there a specific reason for the incense? If so, maybe you can find a way to substitute the incense for something else :blush: I also can’t burn incense a lot. There are people in my home that have reactions to different scents and it can get pretty bad pretty fast. I’ve gotta be careful so I burn incense in my room with the door closed and the window open.

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My advice:
If you use dried catnip, keep your catnip in a glass jar so they can’t get into it!! Sometimes it is difficult to get my catnip dried because my kitty wants to get it! I have some for her too :wink: I had some in a zip lock and she clawed the bag! I put hers in a jar too :black_cat: :jar:
Candles, incense and such is always a danger if you don’t keep an eye on them. Cats are curious so just be aware when you’re using incense or flames. We don’t want flaming kitty tails!!! LOL not funny :nerd_face:
:butterfly:

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I picked up some earlier this month. So I wanted to use some so no specific reason. Just was wondering.

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Ahh that makes sense :blush: I think as long as you keep an eye on your furry friends you should be just fine!

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I don’t have any cats but I do have my pupper who is always by my side… especially this month… when I use my diffusers or incense I have the window by my bed we sit on open a few inches & I have a fan on its lowest setting that oscillates toward the door… which I keep open during the day.

Otherwise, if I can’t then I will use a simmer pot with fresh ingredients & the vent on over the stove.

If I can’t ventilate the room or rooms well somehow, then I won’t use them until I can do so or I’m outside.

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Great question, @christinastillion! While I can think of a list of houseplants you wouldn’t want to have around as they can be toxic to our curious furry friends (poinsettias are lovely for the holidays but are poisonous to pets, the new trendy monstera plant is a no-no for cats and dogs, lilies aren’t safe for pets, etc.) I can’t recall anything about incense being a problem, aside from the very important warning Megan already mentioned:

I’m seconding this great advice here! :+1:

If it calls to you, I hope you’re able to find a safe and viable way to use incense/aromas in your practice, Christina! Good luck and blessed be :sparkling_heart:

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Hey, @christinastillion

  1. I’d use an incense burner or smoker that the cats can’t get into and catch themselves on fire.
  2. Look up the incense you want to use and see if it can be harmful.
  3. Have you considered incense matches?
    They light quickly and last 30 or so seconds. It leaves a very light scent for a short time. I keep them in my travel altar.

OK, I’m out of ideas. Wish your luck and success.
Love
Garnet

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@Garnet I didn’t even know incense matches were a thing! What a cool idea. I just light ours and leave it for a very few minutes. The smell gets overwhelming very fast sometimes! I'll have to be on the lookout for the matches!

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I use essential oils in my practice, but I think the advice the vet told me can apply to incense as well. The vet has told me which oils are safe to diffuse around cats and suggested that I diffuse them in a room where they can easily leave if they become uncomfortable by the smell. But to be on the safe side, I diffuse them in my bedroom (where my altar is) with the door closed.

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I didn’t think about using my oil diffuser. That’s a good idea

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