Pet-Friendly Car Scents: Fresh Car, Happy Pup

Owning a pet means sharing everything, including your car. But how do you create a pleasant-smelling atmosphere in your vehicle without introducing an unsafe scented product that could potentially harm your furry friend? For many pet owners, finding a pet-friendly air freshener can feel like an impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be. 

With pet-safe car air fresheners from Drift, you don’t have to sacrifice your nose for your pet’s safety. Instead, you can rely on pet-friendly car air fresheners made from natural, sustainably sourced materials infused with clean essential and fragrance oils. Rest assured that you can make your car smell better and protect your pet’s health and safety simultaneously with non-toxic car scents exclusively from Drift. 

Why Regular Air Fresheners Could Be Harmful to Pets

Your average car air freshener may not be dangerous to humans, but it could be harmful to your pet. Many synthetic fragrances overwhelm sensitive noses. These car fresheners may also contain harsh chemicals, like phthalates, formaldehyde, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate a pet’s skin and lungs. 

Certain car fresheners can also present a choking hazard, as they’re small enough to be fair game for curious mouths. For pet parents considering aerosol sprays as a viable alternative, consider where the spray residue lands. If it lingers on your pet’s bedding, paws, or fur, it can increase their exposure to harsh chemicals that can lead to significant health problems. 

What are the Features of a Pet-Safe Car Air Freshener?

The best car fresheners infuse both form and function with qualities that make them safe for use around pets. For example, most pet-safe car air fresheners are clearly labeled as such, featuring subtle scents that won’t overpower a strong sense of smell. Pet-friendly car air fresheners also incorporate natural ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals, but avoid the following essential oils:

• Peppermint

• Tea tree

• Cinnamon

• Winter green

• Eucalyptus

• Citrus 

In addition, pet-friendly air fresheners often feature larger forms that are meant to deter pets from swallowing them whole. Small scent beads or gels typically aren’t pet-safe unless they’re sealed within a sturdy container. Even cardboard car fresheners can present a choking hazard to the most curious pets.

DIY Car Fresheners Safe for Pets

You can create your own pet-safe car air fresheners with a little time and some creativity. For example, you can dry citrus peels and tuck them into a jar with holes in the lid for a bright, natural scent. Below are additional DIY methods for creating a non-toxic car scent: 

• Baking soda and herbs mix: Combine baking soda with dried lavender or chamomile in a breathable pouch. The baking soda absorbs odors while the herbs add a gentle fragrance.

• Activated charcoal bags: Fill a small fabric pouch with activated charcoal granules. Charcoal is excellent at trapping odors without releasing any chemicals.

• DIY fabric spray: Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly mist car seats and floor mats to neutralize odors at the source.

• Coffee bean sachets: Place whole coffee beans in a cotton bag or sock for a warm, natural aroma that doubles as an odor absorber.

• Herbal pouches: Use dried rosemary or chamomile in a small sachet for a light, calming scent that won’t overwhelm your pet.

Tap into your creative side to keep your car smelling fresh and your pet healthy and happy. These simple DIY methods help you and your furry friend enjoy a cleaner, healthier environment while in the car. With these methods in your back pocket, you don’t have to sacrifice a great-smelling vehicle for your pet’s well-being.

Pet-Safe Car Air Fresheners Exclusively from Drift

While creating your own scent solutions for a smelly car can help you control the ingredients and what you introduce into your car’s interior, Drift signature car fresheners accomplish the same task without the hassle. In addition, Drift’s Wood, Metal, and Stone car fresheners are available for your car in the following scents: 

• Amber: Eucalyptus, golden amber, vanilla, French lavender

• Cabana: Bergamot, coconut, cedarwood, sea salt

• Grove: Juicy citrus, vanilla sugar, mountain greens, blond wood

• Open Air: Fresh air, crisp linen, morning dew, white wood 

• Pine: Mountain pine, moss, cedarwood, musk

• Teak: Cedar atlas, amber, teakwood, oakmoss

We’re proud to offer luxury car fresheners free from harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, DEA, formaldehyde, and petroleum. Instead, we infuse sustainably sourced alder wood, organic stone, and alloy metal with essential and fragrance oil blends. Our pet-safe car air fresheners are also cruelty-free, vegan, GMO-free, and safe for use around children, too.

How to Prevent Pet Odors Before They Start

Part of being a responsible pet owner involves knowing how to prevent pet odors before they happen. For example, installing washable seat covers or blankets helps make cleaning your car’s interior a quick task, rather than an all-day event. Below are additional ways you can prevent pet odors from lingering in your vehicle: 

• Brush pets regularly to reduce the amount of dander entering your car

• Wipe your pet’s paws before they get into the vehicle 

• Keep a portable vacuum on hand to maintain your car’s cleanliness

• Air out your car once per week to refresh the interior 

Adding a pet-friendly, non-toxic car scent to your vehicle’s interior can also help keep pet odors at bay. Remember, introduce the fragrance slowly to ensure your pet isn’t sensitive or allergic. If your pet experiences any significant health problems, call or visit a vet immediately. 

Drift Car Fresheners, Fresh Air, and Happy Travels Together

With a Drift signature car freshener, it’s possible to keep your car fresh and protect your pet’s health at the same time. Subscribe to our Scent of the Month Club for exclusive access to new seasonal scents every month, or purchase one of our mainstay scents mentioned above. Either way, your furry friend will thank you for keeping their second home smelling as pleasant as their first.