Signs & Symptoms of Poisoning in Dogs
- Agitation.
- Tremors.
- Convulsions.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Heart problems.
- Diarrhoea.
- Kidney failure.
Toxic Ingredients To Avoid
- #1 Ammonia (also called ammonium hydroxide) Ammonia is a very popular cleaning agent – it's one of the most commonly made chemicals in the US.
- #2 Bleach (chlorine)
- #3 Phthalates.
- #4 Glycol Ethers.
- #5 Formaldehyde.
- #6 1,4-Dioxane.
- Pet Safe Wood Floor Cleaner.
- Baking Soda Scrub.
Here are a household cleaners that are not safe for dogs, with some alternatives: Floor Cleaners — These include Pine-Sol and Mr. Clean. Even if you manage to get all of the residue off the floor, the vapor lingers and is dangerous to your pet.
Cleaning Products That Are Harmful to PetsWhen mixed with bleach, ammonia creates a poisonous gas that can cause respiratory damage, throat burns and can even be fatal! Common brands include Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner, Windex Multi-Surface Cleaner and Mr. Clean.
If you know for sure or suspect that your dog has ingested Windex, please call the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency. Even a small amount of Windex can make a dog very sick.
"If a pet were to ingest too much, they can develop alcohol poisoning," says Brutlag. "If ingested, the cleaning agents can cause severe irritation to the stomach," she says. Not only that, but "the fibrous material of the wipe may cause a blockage in the stomach or intestines that could require surgery to remove."
When it comes right down to it, dogs are pretty attracted toward the very strong smell of bleach and ammonia. Unfortunately, your dog is very, very sensitive to these toxins and can face serious health issues if these toxins are ingested.
Allergies can also affect our pet dogs. Our four-legged friends can be allergic to all sorts of things, from chemicals in cleaning products to pollen, dust, fleas and even smoke from cooking.
Herbicides. While Roundup® and similar herbicides aren't as dangerous as disulfoton and snail bait to your pets, they can still make your pet sick. Herbicides cause vomiting, diarrhea, and deadly symptoms for senior animals. Pets with compromised immune systems are also at risk.
Lysol is a phenol-based cleaning product generally not recommended for use in homes with dogs. Phenol can cause liver damage to pets, and Lysol gives off potentially harmful volatile organic compounds in its vapors.
As we've mentioned before products such as bleach can cause permanent and even life-threatening damage to a pet's skin or insides if swallowed. If you do use bleach, make sure that your dog never comes into contact with it in its concentrated form (same goes for any cleaning product that needs to be diluted).
Even though Clorox wipes claim to eliminate 99.9% of germs, they contain chemicals that can be dangerous to ingest and as a result shouldn't be used where your pet will be eating or drinking.
Fill a squirt bottle with half water, half white vinegar, and a drop of Dawn dish soap (substitute your favorite if you like—but I've tried them all and Dawn is tops). This pet-safe cleaning agent will work on everything from floors and walls to the brand new suede sofa you just brought home.
While Pine-Sol and Lysol brands that are commercially available to the public no longer appear to contain pine oil or phenols which can be toxic, especially to cats, do use caution with any similar cleaners that contain actual pine oil and with any cleaning products that contain phenols.
The Lysol website recommends leaving the spray on the surface for up to 10 minutes to kill the stronger viruses. Once you have air-dried such surfaces, you must rinse them with fresh water to reduce the Lysol toxicity. The product should not come in direct contact with food, children or pets.
Clean and then disinfect:
- Follow cleaning and disinfecting recommendations found on CDC's Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home.
- Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.
Hydrogen peroxide (3%) is also effective against coronavirus. Use at full strength. It's also milder than bleach and generally safe to use around animals, but, similarly, it should be used in a well-ventilated area and allowed to dry completely.
Contrary to rumors alleging that Febreze causes serious illness or death in pets, our veterinary toxicology experts at APCC regard Febreze fabric freshener products to be safe for use in households with pets. As with any product, it is important that you always follow label instructions for use.
OdoBan® No Rinse Neutral pH Floor Cleaner is formulated with a naturally derived surfactant system that safely and effectively cleans all hard floors and other surfaces without harmful chemicals, making it safe for pet areas. No rinsing required.
It can be used as directed on non-food surfaces such as pet crates, litter boxes, and dog beds. Be sure to allow the surface to dry before your pet returns to the area. Similar to how you would not use a disinfectant on dishes, Microban 24 should not be used on pets' food or water dishes.
Wet Ones for Pets Antibacterial Multipurpose Wipes for Dogs kill 99.99% of germs & are a perfect solution for quick and easy clean up in between baths. These safe, easy to use antibacterial dog wipes are formulated with Aloe Vera to help moisturize your dog's skin and maintain a glossy coat.
