Is Gel Wax Safe for Animals?

Traditionally, pets and candle wax aren’t a match made in heaven. Their super sensitive noses being the main culprit. After all, if they can tell how their owners are feeling from just one sniff, they must be able to read the whole periodic table of a candle from a couple of sniffs, right? 

Correct. 

Fortunately, not all candle waxes are offensive to their little snouts. In fact, we’ve discovered that Gel Wax goes easy on both their and our snouts. If you’re now looking for the how, why, and where – we’ve got you covered below. Starting with … 

What is the Safest Candle Wax for Pets?

At Jiggle Scents, we take the wellbeing of our furry friends very seriously, so we took their concerns into consideration while picking a wax for our candles. Here’s the lowdown: 

Paraffin Wax: Too much petroleum for pups. 

Soy Wax: Includes additives and fragrances - not great for their little respiratory systems and harsh on allergies. 

Beeswax: Not the worst in small amounts but can still pose a choking hazard.

Palm Wax: Often processed with chemicals, so crossed off our list.

Rapeseed Wax: Can contain additives harmful to pets.

Blended Wax: Too many synthetic materials or additives. A no-go for pets. 

And that’s when we finally came to gel wax. 

What is Gel Wax?

Gel wax is a transparent, rubbery wax made from a blend of mineral oil and polymer resin. Unlike traditional waxes, gel wax has a jelly-like consistency and a much higher melting point, which makes it ideal for creating candles with embedded objects or layered designs. 

Because of its clarity, gel wax is often used in decorative candles where you can see suspended items like seashells, flowers, or glitter. It also burns longer than most other waxes, although it requires specific types of wicks for optimal performance.

Oh, and pets love it.

Why do Pets Prefer Gel Wax?

A variety of reasons, starting with its composition. 

What’s Gel Wax Made of? 

Mineral oil and polymer resin. In other words, it’s a yes from pets. 

Fun fact: The resin is what gives it a jelly-like, translucent quality, unlike traditional waxes. 

Transparency

Gel wax is clear, making it easy to see the wick and other components, which can prevent pets from accidentally touching or knocking over an unseen flame.

Non-Toxic Wax

Gel wax burns cleaner, producing fewer pollutants and toxins that could be harmful if inhaled by pets.

Low Soot and Smoke

Gel wax generally produces less soot than paraffin wax, reducing the amount of airborne particles that could irritate pets' respiratory systems. 

Hypoallergenic Options

Many gel waxes are hypoallergenic, lowering the risk of allergies or sensitivities for pets with skin or respiratory sensitivities.

Minimal Dripping and Spills

Gel wax tends to stay contained in the candle jar, which reduces the chances of pets accidentally ingesting spilled wax or coming into contact with hot wax.

So yes, pets may prefer gel wax, but plenty of humans do too, and there’s a few great reasons for that such as …

Why Should Humans Prefer Gel Wax?

Gel wax is famous among the wax family for its indulgent burn time. It’s all about that laid-back and easy-going burning pace, meaning, of course, that you get to enjoy your melts for longer.

And what it lacks in burning power, it certainly makes up for in aromatic power. Gel wax is known for holding onto its fragrance with all its might, making it a good choice for scented melts.

The Pet’s Wax 

And there you have it! Gel wax really isn’t just the pet-friendly candle wax melt option; it’s the purrfect choice for absolutely everyone. At Jiggle Scents, we're big fans of keeping our furry friends happy, safe, and sniffing around with curiosity (not allergy sneezes!). So feel free to light up a Jiggle Wax Melt, kick back, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your melt is both a delight for you and to your pets.