Has anyone heard anything like this?

Question

I heard from a co-worker that using Febreeze in an area where she kept her birds (not directly spraying at the birds or cages) killed her birds. I have asked around and been told that Febreeze is harmful to small pets.

I use it all the time in my home, dog beds, couches, etc.

I haven't researched Febreeze yet (I do plan on it) or talked to my vet about it, but I was wondering if anyone else had heard of Febreeze being dangerous to animals.

Thanks.

Answer 1

just urban legend

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/febreze.asp
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blfebrez.htm
http://www.febreze.com/pet.html

Answer 2

Here is the thing...any kind of spray freshener basically tells you on the bottle that it is not safe until the product fully dries on the surface. The same goes with cleaners as well.

As far as birds go, they have EXTREMELY sensitive respiratory systems. It is not advised to even use hair spray or perfumes around them because those could even kill them.

I think in this case it is not necessarily the Febreeze. Well....I mean, it could have been the Febreeze BUT had the owner been using other sprays, perfumes, even incense around the birds it probably would have had the same results.

Answer 3

Any type of air freshener is going to be harmful if not deadly to small animals. Birds especially as they are VERY susceptible to respiratory issues.

Just like simply overheating a Teflon pan can cause fumes that can kill a bird that is kept in the kitchen... which is why you should never keep a bird in the kitchen.
There are no legal lawsuits with the maker or patten owner of Teflon about the matter, nor is it even a well known fact.

Just like a sneeze can travel several miles, so to can the spray from a febreeze bottle. Regardless of if she sprays at the bird or small animal, its going to eventually get to them and it's going to go into their lungs and cause harmful effects.

Answer 4

It's an urban legend that's been going around for a while, first time I heard it was right after it first came out. Just like the one about the Swiffer. Use common sense. You wouldn't spray a large amount of any aerosol spray in a tiny area that contains any animal. In a adequately sized, well ventilated room........no problem. Of course you wouldn't spray it directly at the bird. Anything can be harmful to our animals(and people) in large quantities. It is far more dangerous to use Teflon pans around birds and let them(the pans) over heat. Birds do have sensitive respiratory systems.

Answer 5

I haven't heard anything about it. I would think that by now if this was the case, Febreeze would have a warning on the cans. I haven't heard of any lawsuits and I am sure there would be a class action suit it people thought they could collect a bundle.

Answer 6

Although dogs and cats don't seem to mind febreeze, birds are sensitive to the ingredients and often have bad reactions {many including death}

Answer 7

No, I haven't heard anything like this.