Keep your furry friends safe by avoiding these harmful household cleaning products.
Kim Cornelison
Checking whether a product is pet-safe might come as an afterthought.
But its actually an important consideration that could impact your furry friend’s health.
Credit:Kim Cornelison
Here, experts offer tips for incorporating cleaning products into your routine that wont harm your beloved family pet.
And next time youre ready todo a deep clean, look for products that veterinarians recommend instead.
Pets can be particularly sensitive to everyday cleaning products that they may touch, taste, or smell.
Other ingredients or products to avoid include:
“Highly scented products are also a problem, Firth says.
Pets have much more sensitive olfactory systems than humans, and the smells can be overwhelming.
Why Are These Cleaners Harmful to Pets?
Differing levels of exposure to these substances can irritate a pets respiratory system and internal organs.
Pets have much more sensitive respiratory systems and metabolisms compared to humans, says Firth.
Glycol Ethers
Other common cleaning agents can also be dangerous for your pets health.
Glycol ethers are toxic for pets, says Dr. Miller.
Phenol, common in disinfectants and soaps, is especially toxic to cats and can cause liver damage.
Formaldehyde can cause skin irritation and has been linked to cancer in pets.
Even high concentrations ofhydrogen peroxidecan harm a pets skin, mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal tracts.
But petsespecially young onesdont.
Similarly, people canopen a windowwhen a cleaning agents smell is overpowering.
Pets need encouragement or direct intervention.
Also, launch the windows or turn on a fan to ventilate the space.
Ensurecleaning products are stored awayin locked cabinets or out of reach from pets and children.
A pet could ingest a possibly harmful substance just by walking on the floor and then licking a paw.
Changing cleaning products is another option.
