It’s finally that time of year: springtime. Along with enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of this vibrant season, you might also feel the urge to clean…well, everything. But if you have furry family members living in your home, you might be worried about which products are safe to use around your pet.
You’re right to be cautious. But the good news is that the team at Sky Canyon Animal Hospital has the tips you need to carry out a pet-safe spring cleaning routine.
Why Pets Fall Prey to Pet Poisoning From Cleaning Products
Pets love to explore the world around them using their mouths and their paws. This is all well and good until they run into a cleaning product that’s toxic for pets.
All it takes is leaving a spray bottle out one time—and your pet can find his or her way into some trouble.
Unfortunately, many household cleaning products contain harsh ingredients meant to break down grime and grossness. These ingredients can easily irritate your pets’ skin, eyes, and airways—or, if they swallow some of the liquid, gastrointestinal burns and upset.
Household cleaners that are toxic to pets include solutions that use bleach, ammonia, phenols, chlorine, and even concentrated essential oils (particularly citrus, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus-based oils).
It’s not always easy to avoid using these products. And this isn’t necessarily the goal, either.
Here’s what you can do instead.
A Safer Spring Cleaning Routine
When it comes to pet cleaning product safety, think in terms of layers of protection.
First, put your pets in a closed, separate room in their crates or send them to a doggy daycare on your big spring cleaning day. Open windows and run fans in your home so that all the fumes unleashed by your project have a chance to dissipate before your pup or kitty returns.
Next, read the instructions for safe use on all the cleaning products you use. Follow them religiously. Avoid over-cleaning areas—don’t double up on the recommended amount of solution, for instance. Make sure that you give each area ample time to dry before your pets return.
Finally—and perhaps most importantly—store every cleaning product, pod, toilet-bowl scrubber, and wipe dispenser somewhere your pets can’t reach. The best place of all is a cupboard under lock and key.
Then—and only then—you can safely welcome your furry family members back into the home.
What to Do if You Suspect Exposure
If your pet accidentally ingests or inhales fumes from a cleaning product, take your cat or dog to your nearest urgent care veterinarian right away for treatment. The sooner you can get your pet seen, the better their outcome is likely to be.
For non-life-threatening concerns about potential cleaning-related rashes or hotspots, reach out to our caring team at Sky Canyon Animal Hospital. We can help diagnose and treat skin issues related to cleaning product residue.
Call us at (951) 461-4100 to schedule an appointment today.