With springtime in full swing, many of us are feeling the urge to freshen up our living spaces. After we put away winter clothes and get rid of clutter, it’s time to break out all things lemon-scented and flower-fresh. But as pet parents, we have to take extra steps to make sure our spring cleaning ritual is safe for our four-legged family members. Use these tips to get your home sparkling clean without putting your cat or dog in harm’s way.

How Can Cleaning Products Harm Pets?

Everyday cleaning products like surface cleaners don’t, under normal circumstances, cause an immediate risk to cats and dogs, so long as they are not consumed in larger amounts than normally used for cleaning.

However, long-term use of products that we reach for everyday, like surface wipes, disinfectants, and air fresheners, can cause mild irritation. Over time, repeated exposure can lead to chronic health issues like allergies, asthma, and bronchitis. Human and animal research studies also suggest that long-term exposure to environmental toxins like cleaning products could also potentially increase your pet’s risk for developing cancer.

1 Keep pets behind doors, gates, and in crates
Accidents can happen in an instant, and when you’re busy cleaning, it’s easy to overlook opportunities for your pet to get into something toxic. A physical barrier like another room, a pet gate or a crate keeps your pet safe when your attention is divided.

2 Keep cleaning products out of reach
Immediate, life-threatening toxicity in pets usually occurs when the pet has ingested a large amount of product. Be vigilant of some of the most common ways pets access cleaning products - pets can drink out of a bucket of mop water or cleaning solution, rummage through an unsecured cleaning cabinet, chew on plastic bottles of cleaning fluids, or drink out of a toilet full of toilet bowl cleaner

3 Take care even with natural products
Just because a cleaning product has a green label does not mean it is nontoxic to pets and the environment. Also, homemade cleaning solutions are not always safe for pets, particularly if they contain ingredients like essential oils. Pine, citrus, tea tree, peppermint, and cinnamon oils are among those known to be toxic to cats, even in small amounts

4 Use the right cleaning product for the job
It’s usually not necessary to use harsh disinfectants to clean up simple, everyday messes. Distilled white vinegar is affordable, nontoxic, cleans most everyday messes, and odorless once dried. Stains, persistent odors, and even caked-on deposits don’t always need to be doused in volatile cleaning chemicals. Almost every mess you’ll ever encounter can be eliminated by soaking in hot water, scrubbing with a stiff brush, or scouring with an abrasive agent like baking soda.

5 Supervise robot vacuums when used around pets
Though robot vacuums can be a godsend to pet parents and are generally safe for pets, there have been a few reported cases of pets getting their tail caught in the vacuum’s roller brush. Plus, while newer models are becoming more adept at detecting obstacles, there have been reports of vacuums running through pet messes, spreading poop along their path. To avoid disasters, only run your robot vacuum while you’re home or make sure it does not share a space with your pets.

6 Clear the air during and after cleaning
Cleaning products should always be used in a well ventilated area, as many release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate the eyes, nose, and airways. Products that contain VOCs include aerosol sprays, air fresheners, cleaning wipes, bleach, oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, carpet and upholster products, and drain cleaners

7 Let floors dry after mopping or carpet shampooing
Any still-wet cleaning solution that your pet steps through is likely to be ingested next time they lick their paws. Trace amounts of cleaner on paws are unlikely to cause toxicity, but may be caustic to the skin or cause gastric upset. Most commercial cleaners are generally safe to use around pets once completely dried

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.