Keeping your home clean without harming your pet

By: Suzanne Zilkowsky | July 12, 2009

This generation is more aware than ever of the germs around us and in our homes. Did you know that many of your household cleaners may contain toxins such as formaldehyde, which could cause severe health problems to your pet?

Your loyal friend the pooch is at especially at risk of contacting these toxins because of their insatiable need to lick everything in site including the bottoms of feet and shoes.

Unfortunately, any chemicals that are toxic and have been used to clean the floor can end up in your dog’s internal system.

Behaviors around the home that can harm your pet:

• Room deodorizing
• Using toilet bowl cleaners your where your pet can drink from
• Bug spraying
• Leaving matches around your home (sulfur)
• Fertilizing your lawn
• Chlorinating swimming pools where your pet can drink

Toxins to avoid:

Alcohol: Lysol household cleaner is very high in alcohol. Keep all of these out of the reach of pets to prevent poisoning.

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite): Never combine bleach with cleaners containing acids or ammonia or a release of toxic chlorine/chloramine gases will occur. Mildew removal products may contain calcium hypochlorite and this is about twice as deadly as the regular bleach.

Paradichlorobenzene: Is a key ingredient in numerous air fresheners. This chemical is especially dangerous and can cause cancer to your pet.

Pine Oils: Pine Sol is a cleaning solution containing high concentrations of pine oil alcohols derived from pine tree wood. Turpentine also consists of pine oil terpenes.

Phenols: Cats are sensitive to Lysol cleaner. It contains phenols and cats have difficulties detoxifying this type of poison.

Some tips to help you keep your pet safe are:

• Make sure you read the label before purchasing products
• Minimize the number of harmful compounds in your household
• Consider shopping for less toxic alternatives to some of the typical household items
• Keep only enough in your home to do the job

No matter what kind of cleaners you use, it is also important to keep them stored in a safe place. Make your home safe for you, your pets and of course, the environment.

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