Imagine the following scene: after you've finished removing a stubborn stain, you rest as if you've done a good job. And your pet's first order of business is to see what's happened up close, so he sticks his nose straight into the spot cleaner. It's situations like this that are the problem!
You can't imagine anything scarier than him getting hurt, can you? But cleaning up after your pet at home can have a detrimental effect on his health. So in this article, we'll show you what to look out for when you're cleaning, so you can make sure you're doing the right thing: a happy, healthy four-legged friend with a clean home!
You can unknowingly poison your pet
Many dog and cat owners also make sure they clean regularly at home, because a pet can be a bit messy and furry. But have you ever considered that you might be doing them a disservice? Your four-legged friend has a much more refined sense of smell, and its skin (fur) comes into direct contact with surfaces.
Walking on the floor can damage your paw pads from harsh cleaning products, but you can also lick them off during cleaning. In this respect, cats are the most at risk, as they clean regularly, but as a dog owner you'll probably see your little friend licking his paws a lot.
Not to mention that, while searching for morsels, you might find yourself licking up toxic substances from the floor or even finding the entire cleaning product package in your curiosity. The number one rule, then, is to keep your regular cleaning products well locked away in a safe place.
How can you tell if something is wrong?
Signs of poisoning may include vomiting, poor coordination, diarrhoea. It can also manifest itself in less obvious symptoms such as lethargy or stomach pains - although your pet can't tell you when something is wrong, as a loving pet owner you'll know something is wrong.
But we don't necessarily have to talk about poisoning, your pet could be allergic to some ingredients just like you. You can tell this by signs such as sneezing, shedding hair in patches, red spots on the body or sore paws.
If you notice any of these signs on your pet, take them to the vet immediately! But of course, the aim is always prevention, so let's get to that:
How to protect your pet when cleaning?
For your pet's health, do everything you can to minimise the risk factors. We also give you some tips on how to do this, from conscious shopping to specific precautions.
Look at the ingredients!
We've written before about how many toxic substances in traditional cleaning products can be hazardous to your health. The risk is even greater for your little pet, because you can't explain to them that they shouldn't go near it because it's toxic - and also because they have smaller lungs and a different metabolism. If you see one of the following on the label of a cleaning product, don't buy it: bleach, ammonia, chlorine, isopropyl alcohol, phenol, formaldehyde.
Your pet has no business being there
"If your phone rings while you're cleaning and you run to answer it, your dog or cat might start playing with the mop water, or even swallow or knock it over. When you're cleaning, just get on with the cleaning." - take the advice of Dr Barbara Hodges, President of the HSVMA Veterinary Medical Association.
If you are using conventional cleaning products, it is best to keep your four-legged friend out of the room during the process. This is relatively easy to do when cleaning the bathroom, for example, but keep an eye on the areas he likes. Find something for him to do in another room and close the door on him! But this alone is not enough, as the chemicals in conventional cleaning products remain in the air. Make sure you air him out before you let him back in the room.
Wait until all surfaces are dry!
Keep in mind that your paw is much closer to the cleaned surfaces than you are. Don't let him into the room until everything is completely dry. But this doesn't just apply to the floor cleaner, who may be at nose level with the coffee table, the TV cabinet and even the lower shelves. It's worth wiping them down with lukewarm water once more after cleaning. In fact, you can see from the above quote why chemical-free mops are a better choice.
This brings us to our most useful tip:
Switch to natural cleaning products!
"It's best to use the cleanest, greenest solutions possible when cleaning your home." - says Dr Blutinger, a doctor at BluePearl Veterinary Clinic in the US.
Eco-cleaners are just as effective as the conventional versions, but they're chemical-free, so they're safe to use with your pet. So you're better off buying natural, animal-friendly products from the shops. These are sure to contain ingredients that won't cause any problems for your four-legged friend.
Examples of such ingredients include universal panaceas, citric acid and acetic acid. You can use them as All Purpose cleaners, disinfectants, degreasers, window cleaners - so you can clean every nook and cranny of your home without risking your paws' health with chemicals. In our last article, we gave you some great tips on how to make the most of natural cleaning products. If you missed it, catch up quickly: here are the big guns for spring cleaning.
A CYCLE innovative products are all animal-friendly cleaners, so you can use them safely and effectively.
