Have you ever wondered if a particular household cleaning product or human medication is toxic to your pets? The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has provided the following guide for several household items. Please remember that this guide is for general information only and is not intended to help assess or manage animal exposures, or any subsequent time-sensitive medical issues. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to any toxic substance, contact your veterinarian or call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Cleaning products
Most cleaning products are safe to use around dogs and cats as long as they are used per labeled directions. Obtain veterinary advice when using cleaning products around birds, as they are extremely sensitive to the fumes.
Bleach
Ingestion of undiluted bleach can cause injury to the mouth and esophagus, especially if it is a high concentration or has a high pH.
Diluted bleach can be safely used to clean pet toys and kennels, as long as it is diluted, thoroughly rinsed and the bleach odor has dissipated prior to letting the pet back around the items.
Vinegar and Water
A solution of vinegar and water is often used as a natural alternative to commercial cleaning agents. Vinegar is acidic and can cause stomach upset and irritation, however, it is not generally an issue if, prior to use, it is diluted, rinsed and allowed to dry.
Enzyme Based Cleaners
Most enzyme-based cleaners tend to cause mild stomach upset so ensure that these products dry prior to letting the pet into any area where they were used.
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics
Lip Gloss and Lipstick
The ingestion of lip gloss and lipstick can cause stomach upset. Some products, especially those that are moisturizing, contain laxatives, such as shea butter, which can cause diarrhea. These signs tend to be mild, however. Ensure that your pet did not eat any plastic or packaging, which can cause a foreign body obstruction in the stomach or intestines and can be a medical emergency.
Foundation, Mascara, Blush, Eye Shadow
These cosmetic products are generally safe if pets ingest them, causing only mild stomach upset. However, any packaging ingested can pose a risk of a foreign body obstruction in the stomach or intestines and can be a medical emergency.
Moisturizing Lotions
A small ingestion of non-medicated moisturizing lotion (such as licking lotion off of a person’s skin) is only likely to cause mild stomach upset. However, larger ingestions can cause more severe stomach upset. If your pet vomits, there is a potential for the lotion to be inhaled into the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia, which can be serious.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly is a laxative and any ingestion can cause stomach upset. Larger ingestions can cause more severe stomach upset. If your pet vomits, there is a potential for the petroleum jelly to be inhaled into the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia, which can be serious.
Bar Soap
Dogs especially love to eat bar soap, so it’s best to keep it out of reach at all times. However, if they do ingest some, it generally only causes mild stomach upset. If they vomit, bubbles sometimes come out of their noses, which can be disconcerting and make them sneeze a bit, but severe signs are not expected.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste can contain fluoride or xylitol. In most cases, there is not enough fluoride ingested to see significant signs, but if a large amount is ingested, fluoride can cause severe stomach upset, irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure and life-threatening electrolyte changes.
Xylitol is a sweetener that can cause low blood sugar levels or damage to the liver, if enough is ingested. The amount of xylitol present in toothpaste can vary significantly from brand to brand, with some toothpaste containing none and some containing higher amounts, so it’s best to keep all away from pets.
Laundry Products
Laundry Detergent Pods and Liquid Laundry Detergent
Liquid laundry detergent and laundry detergent pods can cause stomach upset and irritation to the mouth and throat. In some cases, serious and life-threatening symptoms can occur.
Dryer Sheets
Most laundry dryer sheets, especially those that are unused, contain cationic detergents. These detergents can cause severe chemical burns and ulcers to the pet’s mouth, esophagus and stomach. Additionally, the sheets can pose a risk of a foreign body obstruction in the stomach or intestines and can be a medical emergency.
Fabric Softeners
Most fabric softeners also contain cationic detergents which can cause severe chemical burns and ulcers to the pet’s mouth, esophagus and stomach.
