All You Need to Know About Shielding Your Pet From Toxic Cleaning Chemicals

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Keeping a pet entails a huge responsibility on its owner’s part, especially when it comes to cleanliness. Although it is important to keep a clean house, it’s also imperative that you keep your pet’s well-being in mind. A lot of products used for cleaning might harm them through their fumes if inhaled or ingested. While you would not think so, this happens very frequently.

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There was a reported incident from 2020 where a dog from the UK got poisoned after just walking on a newly mopped floor. While cats and dogs are both at risk, cats are more vulnerable, as claimed by a senior analyst for cat protection and policy at the Humane Society. This is because they are smaller which means that they can easily access the nooks and crannies of your house and hence can come in contact with more harmful things. Furthermore, they are deficient in liver enzymes that generally protect from such toxicity. While the general instructions tell users to keep chemical products away from animals, there are some substances that you should be mindful of for your pets’ sake.

Toxic Chemicals

Toxic Chemicals

Having a strong smell, bleach can lead to issues with your pet’s breathing in addition to being highly toxic if consumed. Fully wash any surface that has come in contact with it, and keep your pet away from the particular area until it is completely dry. Next is ammonia, a common constituent of most cleaners, one that can cause burning and irritation in your pets’ stomach, eyes, skin, throat, and nose if licked, smelled, or ingested. As a component in antibacterial sprays for bathrooms and kitchens, Benzalkonium Chloride is potentially irritating to your pet’s eyes, paws, and nose. It is advised for users to ensure that the area where it has been used is fully dry for the safety of their animals. Last is phthalates, which is highly unsafe for animals, especially if ingested. Due to its ability to spread through air, it is best not to keep pets’ bowls in the area when spraying products with this chemical.

Symptoms of a Chemical Reaction

Symptoms of a Chemical Reaction

Any ailment that affects animals would be manifested through their demeanor, which would prompt you to take them to the vet. While the symptoms can vary for cats and dogs, specifically depending on what substance has entered their system, there are some common signs that tell you something is wrong with the animal. These include vomiting and diarrhea, along with behavioral changes.