Household Chemicals & Pets

Are the chemicals we are using around our homes having an adverse reaction on our pets? Pet Insurance Australia takes a look at the problems some common household chemicals can cause.
 
With the current social media explosion of comments in regard to the aromatherapy diffusers causing pet’s problems, it’s no wonder many Australian pet owners are becoming concerned with the products we use to clean and freshen our homes.
 
“Accidental poising from a range of household products can cause a huge amount of stress for pet owners across the world,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. “From your everyday pain relief to the dog getting into the rat poison, the products we keep in our homes can have a detrimental effect on our pets.”
 
Common Poisonings include:

• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol
• Detergents
• Insecticides
• Chocolate
• Rat and mouse bait

 
“We estimate there could be well more than 10,000 companion animals (insured and uninsured) suffering from human drug poisoning each year in Australia,” Crighton says.
 
Detergents can also pose a problem for pets.
 
“Curious kittens and cats have known to walk into a freshly bleached shower and lick the remains from the floor, causing burns to their tongues and mouth,” Crighton says. “So, making simple steps to ensure you remove the chemicals after cleaning is important.”
 
DR Linda Vogelnest BVSc, MANZCVS, FANZCVS Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology, from the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) also warns about the over use of sanitizers in the home and the impact on your pet’s overall health.
 
“Sanitizers – by reducing exposure to normal bacteria in the environment – may, if anything, increase the risk of allergy,” She says. “We know that there is a higher incidence of allergy in indoor dogs and cats compared to those predominantly outdoor, and in people living in ‘clean’ city environments compared to country rural areas.”
 
“If they irritate us (sneezing/runny eyes/itchy skin) they may irritate our pets; cleaning products should be carefully rinsed off pet-resting areas if that is the instruction for their use,” Dr Voglenest adds. “But LESS exposure to clean areas may be ideal from a young age, to help reduce the incidence of allergies – so LESS cleaning may be a good thing!”
 
Keep your pet safe…

• Never give your pet human-grade medication
• Keep medicines locked up and away from pets at all times
• Do not use anything on your pets bedding that you wouldn’t use on your own
• Rinse surfaces well after using bleach or heavy duty cleaning products
• Keep rat / mouse bait away from any area your pet can easily access
• Reduce the amount of harsh chemicals and consider natural products

Nadia Crighton

Nadia Crighton is a renowned and accomplished professional in the fields of Journalism, Public Relations, and Writing, with an extensive career spanning over 25 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets.

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