Febreze Safe for Dogs When Used Correctly

Contrary to rumors circulating, the fabric refresher is not toxic to dogs.

Q. Someone who works in the pet-care industry told me that using Febreze in your house to freshen couches, carpets, and dog beds can harm your dog. Is this true? I’m not using it a lot, but I want to be sure I’m not putting my dog at risk by trying to keep my house fresh.

A. There are many myths floating around, and the one regarding Febreze has caused a lot of angst among dog owners. You will be happy to know that when used as directed, Febreze is completely safe, and will allow you to neutralize the doggie smell that can plague furniture. I use Febreze liberally on the couch where my dog Raindog spends most of her time lounging.

Just as with other household products, there’s always the remote possibility of an allergic reaction, but most likely this would involve some mild facial swelling or eye redness.

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Laird Ehlert Jersey City, New Jersey

5/15/2013 2:35:47 PM

Febreze makes me so sick that I cannot go to work for days. It makes me very depressed. I nearly lost my job the last time my landlord used it in the hallways. It should be taken off the market!

Vanessa Miami, Florida

10/24/2012 10:07:25 AM

To all the people who say Febreze is safe when used as directed. This a complete fallacy. On their label they state this product is "safe" for cats and dogs alike. On their website they go even further to say it can be safe to use on products that come in to contact with pets (ie. bedding, fabrics, carpet). The only disclaimer they list is not to spray directly on pet, which I would have never done in the first place and to be sure it is dry before your pet comes in to contact with the item, which I would have done either way. I like any product I use ALWAYS read the label to make sure it is safe for pets and only use as directed. Just last night on 10/23/12 I lightly sprayed Febreze on my pets bedding as the label indicated I could, I then placed the bed in the dryer through an entire cycle before allowing him to come in to contact with said. Within 20 minutes the right side of my dogs face had completely swelled up, eye was practically shut, was bright red and irritated. I gave him Benadryl since I could not contact the vet at that hour. I took him to my vet this morning where they must now flush his system with not one, but two catheters, put him on fluids via IV and monitor him for the next 12 hours as this could cause inflammation to his trachea and nasal passage and therefore he may stop breathing. The doctor listed in writing FEBREZE as the sole cause of these symptoms. Needless to say this will cost hundreds of thousands in order to save his life! I know that all animals react to products differently, however, if this can happen to even one animal Febreze should not label their product "safe for pets". I have read numerous cases stating the same symptoms and worse (ie. seizures and death). DO NOT PLAY WITH YOUR ANIMALS LIVES BY USING FEBREZE AROUND THEM NO MATTER WHAT THEIR LABEL STATES!! If it happened to mine, it could happen to yours. Thanks for reading.

Roxannie Fort Wayne, Indiana

9/30/2012 11:42:28 AM

chemicals aren't good for anyone

Katherine San Bruno, CA

9/13/2011 1:31:56 AM

I am taking my small 18 pound dog to the vet tomorrow because it is the
first
time in his 9 years that he has suffered two separate episodes of
uncontrolled
tremors. I had sprayed Frebreze on the two sofas that he usually sleeps
on.
His first episode of tremors occurred shortly after I had sprayed and he had napped on the first sofa. The second occurred when he napped on the
second
sofa later this evening. too much of a coincidence.I will never use Frebreze on my sofas again.