Do you have pets? Many people do. Greenscents is located in rural Somerset and all of us have dogs and cats and can’t imagine life without them. Our four-legged furry friends are cherished family members.
In the UK there are 13.5 million dogs and 36% of households have one. Cats are only slightly less numerous at 12.5 million but there are also 1.5 million indoor birds and around 1 million rabbits.
Keeping our companion animals safe is an important responsibility for pet owners and reviewing your cleaning and laundry products is a great place to start.
What can go wrong?
Pets react badly to poisons and household products can contain a number of highly toxic ingredients. Licking, chewing and eating cleaning products is not unknown and there have been many cases of dogs becoming unwell after drinking from a toilet bowl. Household products can be ingested, inhaled or assimilated by contact – through paws or on the skin and it is essential that pet owners consider all three possibilities. The concentration of the poison, the amount and how the pet was exposed to the toxin will all affect how ill the animal becomes.
Products to avoid:
- Bleach – bleach is present in many cleaning products and especially toilet cleaners. The chlorine content in bleach is very harmful to pets. Concentrated solutions of bleach can cause burns to the mouth or gut and may cause further complications if splashed in the eye or on the skin. The smell of bleach is likely to cause breathing difficulties for animals if they get close. Bleach should never be mixed with other cleaning products.
- Ammonia – ammonia in cleaning products is toxic to pets and can cause severe irritation and burning. Ammonia is a common ingredient in many cleaning products, including oven cleaners, window cleaners, floor cleaners, and stainless steel cleaners. Symptoms of ammonia poisoning in pets include drooling or pawing at the mouth, vomiting, not eating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Detergents and multi-purpose cleaners – Many of these products contain chemicals that can cause salivation and stomach problems. If an animal vomits after drinking or eating these substances, it can make the vomit frothy or foamy. This may increase the risk of vomit getting into the lungs and causing breathing difficulties. Liquid capsules/sachets used in washing machines are highly concentrated detergents, which may appear attractive to pets. These concentrated substances may cause more serious tummy upsets and can lead to dehydration if untreated or can damage the eye through direct contact. Cats are generally more sensitive to detergent exposure than dogs. Because of their grooming habits, cats are more likely to suffer from respiratory complications and skin reactions.
- Air Fresheners – many air fresheners contain VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) such as formaldehyde and toluene. VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat of pets and people. Air fresheners also contain petrochemicals and aerosol pollutants that can be damaging especially with high concentration or long-term exposure.
What else is in the kitchen cupboard?
Easily accessible bottles and jars with different smells can be particularly attractive to inquisitive young animals as they may appear like toys. Dishwasher tablets, salt and rinse aid all contain toxins to animals. It is best to ensure that all oven products, metal polishes and descalers are kept out of reach.
Is your pet allergic to your laundry detergent?
You might notice paw-licking, frequent itching and scratching, rubbing against walls or furniture, head shaking and sneezing. You might spot hair loss patches, rashes, or red blister-like marks. These are signs that your pet may be allergic to your laundry detergent. A pet-friendly laundry product does not contain synthetic fragrances, SLES/SLS, dyes or harsh surfactants.
If you suspect that your pet is allergic to your laundry detergent try the Nonscents collection https://greenscents.co.uk/product/nonscents-collection/ from Greenscents – it is the purest non-toxic laundry liquid available.
A note on essential oils
At Greenscents, our fragranced ranges include organic essential oil blends at low percentages within the formula. Dogs and especially cats are not always tolerant of essential oils and can become ill with exposure. Essential oils that are pet safe include lavender and bergamot – which means that our all our lavender products and anti-bacterial spray are suitable as well as the Nonscents collection. Whenever you are cleaning, we recommend that pets are kept out of the room and are only allowed back once the surfaces and floors are completely dry.
How to clean safely around pets
Always research your cleaning products thoroughly and ensure you know exactly what is in the bottle. Greenscents products are all certified by the Soil Association and it is mandatory that all ingredients are listed on the label. This is not the case for any conventional cleaning product – whether ‘green’ or not – as there is no legal requirement to list each ingredient on household product labels in the UK.
Greenscents products do not harm pets although we would prefer that they are kept away from animals – just in case!
When you’re cleaning your home with pets:
- Keep cleaning products in a secure location, out of paw’s reach.
- Do not leave cleaning products unattended.
- Keep pets out of the room while you are cleaning.
- Ventilate the room by opening windows.
- Consider using fragrance-free products our Nonscents collection is perfect for pets.
- Make sure all surfaces and products are fully dry before allowing pets back in the room.
Recent case study
A customer emailed with a query “about the bergamot antibacterial multipurpose spray, by mistake my cat got covered in it and has since licked it off her fur – I’ve checked the ingredients and they all look totally pet safe”…
We immediately contacted our homeopathic vet who was able to reassure the customer and recommended a probiotic for support. The customer replied:
“Thank you for responding! The cat is seemingly fine, I have been giving her little licks of some raw organic hill farm kefir and raw A2 Creme fraiche which should have boosted her biome after ingesting the antibacterial spray – thankfully it was your wonderful product and not some toxic poison found in most cleaning products!
Thank you for all your hard work and everything you bring to the world for us.”
You can trust Greenscents to be 100% pet safe.
Further reading
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/blog/how-to-keep-your-pets-safe-from-toxic-cleaning-products
https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/cleaning/a32387224/cleaning-products-toxic-pets/
https://www.petmd.com/poisoning/cleaning-products-that-harm-pets
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/are-essential-oils-safe-for-dogs