Non-toxic, Pet-Safe Candles for Dogs & Cats
The candle company born from one golden retriever's allergies to traditional candles.
It Started with our Pup, Magnolia
When our golden retriever Magnolia was a puppy, she started showing relentless allergy symptoms... she would pull the fur from her paws and tail and she showed constant discomfort that no amount of vet visits seemed to resolve. The recommendation that finally worked was simple (but heartbreaking for any candle lover)... remove all home fragrance.
So Allison, Applewood's founder, tucked away every candle. Within weeks, Magnolia was visibly better. But Allison missed the ritual of coming home from work every day and lighting a candle... the calm of lighting a candle after a long day, the soft crackle of a wooden wick, the welcoming scent when friends stop by. She didn't want to choose between Magnolia's health and a home that felt like home.
After months of researching ingredients and testing formulas, she created a candle she could feel proud to burn with Magnolia napping nearby. That candle became the start of Applewood Candle Co.!
Why Most Candles Aren't Safe for Pets
Most conventional candles are made using unsafe, toxic ingredients. For a dog or cat who spends most of their day at floor level, where heavier air particles settle, the exposure can be significant over time.
While we aren't a vetrinarian (so please always consult your vet if you're ever concerned) we've found that fragrances are the biggest hidden risk. The word "fragrance" on a label can legally represent hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, many of which contain endocrine disrupting chemicals, reproductive toxins, mutagens and even carcinogens!
Other red flags to watch for:
- Phthalates — used to make fragrance last longer; linked to hormonal disruption in both humans and animals
- Parabens — synthetic preservatives linked to health concerns; not something you want your pet (or yourself!) breathing in daily
- Prop 65 chemicals — California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm
- Lead-core or zinc-core wicks — still found in budget candles and those made overseas; release heavy metals into the air when burned
- Synthetic dyes — contains countless toxins
What Makes a Candle Truly Pet-Safe?
The word clean isn't regulated on candle labels, any brand can use it. Here's what actually matters:
- Natural wax: Coconut wax, soy wax, or a blend of the two (thats what we use)! We find by adding the coconut, candles burn longer and are more forgiving in terms of melt-pool, than a 100% soy candle!
- Truly clean fragrance oils: Look for brands that disclose that their fragrance oils are free from phthalates, parabens, and Prop 65 chemicals! Confirm this is not just at low concentrations (the amount used in a candle is only 6 - 12%), but at all usage rates. Some ingredients are technically non-toxic in trace amounts but harmful at higher concentrations. Here at Applewood, our scents are free from toxins at 100%.
- Uncoated wicks: Cotton or wooden wicks with no metal core. FSC-certified wooden wicks are ideal, they produce minimal soot and no heavy metal off-gassing.
- A maker who is transparent: A brand that will tell you exactly what is in their candle, and more importantly, what isn't.
The Applewood Difference
Every Applewood candle is formulated to pass our Applewood Standard (or should we say, Magnolia's Standard) and that means it meets a higher bar than most candles on the market:
- Coconut-Soy Wax Blend: A natural, renewable wax that burns cooler, cleaner and longer.
- Uncoated Wooden Wicks: Sourced from FSC-certified mills, our wicks produce a soft, crackling burn with minimal carbon buildup (just make sure to trim your wick before relighting to remove the last burn's wick... a bit of maintenance due to our natural wick). No zinc. No lead.
- Premium, Clean Scents: Always free from phthalates, parabens, Prop 65 chemicals, toxins and carcinogens — at every concentration level we use. We do not compromise on this. We use a mix of essential oils, natural accords and fragrance oils. This mix is extremely important to us! Some essential oils are unsafe for pets, while others contain known reproductive toxins. In those scenarios, we use a fragrance oil in that note's place, which is guaranteed 100% non-toxic and is cleaner than their natural counterparts! This is just one way we go the extra mile for our clients!
- Hand-Poured in Small Batches: Every candle is mixed and poured by hand in our Metamora, Michigan studio. Small batches mean quality control, every single time. It also reiterates that we would never use un-clean ingredients in our candles, as we are handling each raw material every single day! Our health (and the health of our small team) are just as important and not something we'd ever compromise on!
Magnolia now naps nearby as we burn our Applewood candles every single day. That's the only proof of concept we need!
A Note for Pet Owners
Even the cleanest candle should be burned thoughtfully when pets share your home. A few guidelines that veterinarians and pet-conscious candle lovers follow:
- Ventilate the room. Burn candles in spaces with some airflow, just don't leave your candle right in front of the airflow.
- Trim your wick before every burn. A trimmed wick (about ¼ inch) produces a cleaner, cooler flame with less soot and smoke. See our full candle care guide →
- Never leave a burning candle unattended near pets. Especially important for cats who are drawn to elevated surfaces (we've heard so much about how devious cats, and even some dogs, can be!).
- Consider flame-free options. For homes with extrememly sensitive or curious pets, our reed diffusers and room & linen mists deliver the same clean fragrance, no flame required.
Shop Pet-Safe Home Fragrance
Every product in the Applewood line is formulated to our clean, non-toxic Applewood Stanard, from our hand-poured luxury candles to our effortless reed diffusers and room mists. You should never have to choose between a beautiful-smelling home and your pet's well-being. Now you don't have to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are soy candles safe for dogs?
Soy candles are generally safer for dogs than paraffin candles because they burn cleaner and produce less soot. However, the fragrance oils matter even more than the wax — look for candles explicitly labeled phthalate-free and free from Prop 65 chemicals. Applewood candles use a coconut-soy wax blend with clean fragrance oils that are free from all of the above, making them a safer choice for households with dogs.
Are candles safe for cats?
Cats are more sensitive to airborne toxins than dogs because their livers lack certain enzymes that help metabolize synthetic compounds. The safest approach is natural wax (coconut-soy or pure soy) with scents that are explicitly phthalate-free and paraben-free, burned in a ventilated room. Applewood's formulation was designed specifically with this sensitivity in mind, but always be sure to ask your vet first, if you are concerned! Both of Magnolia's vets, her traditional and her holist vet, have approved our candles!
What candle wax is safest for pets?
Coconut wax and soy wax (or a blend of the two!) are the safest options for pet owners. Both are derived from natural, renewable plant sources and burn significantly cleaner than paraffin. Coconut wax in particular burns at a lower temperature, releasing fragrance more gently. Applewood uses a coconut-soy blend specifically for its cleaner, cooler, longer burn.
Can I burn candles around my dog?
Yes, with the right candle and common-sense precautions. Choose candles made with natural wax and clean fragrance oils (phthalate-free, paraben-free), burn in a well-ventilated room, keep the flame physically out of your dog's reach and trim your wick before each burn. Applewood candles were born from a dog owner's need for exactly this answer.
What are the best non-toxic candles for pets?
The best non-toxic candles for pets use coconut or soy wax, toxin-free scents and fragrance oils, uncoated wooden or cotton wicks, and come from a maker who is transparent about every ingredient. Applewood Candle Co. was founded specifically to meet this standard, starting with our golden retriever, Magnolia, who inspired every formula decision we've made!