mortmings:

Reminder NOT to use (un)scented lotions, topical medications, scented candles, incense, or essential oil diffusers on or around your pets unless instructed otherwise by your vet. If using a lotion or a medication, don’t touch your pet or anything your pet interacts with before washing your hands and letting the affected area dry.

Fumes from scented lotions and air fresheners can seriously irritate pets’ lungs. Because of the difference in lung structure and function, even one-time exposure can be potentially lethal for birds specifically. (x, x, x) This is because birds’ lungs push more oxygen (and any airborne toxins) into the bloodstream per breath, making the same concentrations of fumes more dangerous for birds than humans. Cats and dogs can have adverse reactions to some essential oils and air fresheners if they already have sensitive airways, (x), and can be even more dangerous if your pet drinks or eats the materials. 

An open flame is also a terrible idea to have around any curious animal. Even if it’s ‘out of reach’, a determined animal will find a way. It’s easier not to give them the option. That’s just common sense.

If even a little cream gets on their skin, medicinal or not, it could cause a reaction, especially in animals with thin skin like parrots and amphibians. Regardless the toughness of their skin, most animals WILL ingest it when they groom themselves.

The smallest amounts of zinc oxide (found in sun block, calamine lotion, rash creams, US pennies made after 1982, all metal zippers, some paints, and many rubber products, among other things) can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats and dogs, sometimes to the point of internal bleeding. (x) In birds it can cause regurgitation, lameness, mental aberrations, and sudden death depending on the species (x), with exposure ranging from a few days to a few years.

Human medications are plenty dangerous for other reasons, and I’d list the risks if this post weren’t already so long. Instead, you can read about some of them here (x).

As a general rule: if you’re unsure about something, DON’T EXPOSE YOUR PET TO IT. Always talk to your vet first. If it can hurt a person at all, imagine what it could do to something smaller.

(I wasn’t able to find reliable sources on the effects on reptiles and small rodents, so if you have sources on those or any other animal, please add them!)