Pets are more vulnerable than people to dangerous household items. This is due to the fact that they are much smaller in size, which makes them closer to carpets, lawns, restricted spaces and garage floors that can contain chemical and pesticide residues. Due to their curiosity and presumed lack of awareness regarding these harmful household cleaning supplies, it can cause more harm to them. Also remember, pets have faster metabolisms and smaller lungs than humans, and so their bodies have to work even harder to get rid of these household toxins that can harm them. The problem is pets not only process these chemicals at a faster clip, but also breathes rather swiftly. Prevalent Household Chemicals That Can Harm Your Pet And Their Nontoxic Alternatives There are certain pet owners who would go to any lengths to ensure the safety of their pets. But despite their extremely caring behavior, pets have to sometimes bear certain unseen health hazards that are usually overlooked but can be avoided. Let us now look at some of the most commonly found household chemicals that can harm your pet and their nontoxic alternatives: Flea Control Chemicals Flea control is one of the most significant challenges a pet owner has to deal. Flea repellent products are labeled as natural might still be toxic for the pet. A particular chemical, d'Limonene derived from citrus peels and found in many anti-flea products can be very toxic for cats. Flea sprays and dips consist of Pyrethrin that can be toxic to some pets. While Pyrethroids, synthetic derivatives of pyrethrins expose your pet to more chemicals. Flea control treatments consist of essential oils that can be very hazardous to cats. These essential oils get absorbed swiftly in the skin of the pet and then enter the bloodstream of the kitty. Since, cats do not have an efficiently metabolize essential oils, it can result in toxicity. Even Tea Tree oil and Pennyroyal oil can be toxic for pets. Nontoxic Alternatives To Flea Control Chemicals 1. Electric Flea Traps They are also known as 'plug-in' flea traps that not only assist in controlling flea population, but are also extremely safe for indoor use around pets. The great news is that they are cost-effective and very easy to use. 2. Diatomaceous Earth It is a nontoxic substance that not only assists in controlling flea populations in the home, but also kills other insect pests like roaches, sow bugs, ants and most home insect invaders. If you are consistently facing flea control challenges, then an electric flea trap would be the best option to reduce the active flea population. After using it, you can then go for Diatomaceous earth to control future flea populations over time. Antifreeze Nowadays, antifreeze formulations consist of ethylene glycol as the main ingredient. Although this sweet smell is very alluring for pets, it can be very lethal if ingested even in small quantities. Even half a teaspoon of spilled antifreeze is enough to kill a cat and eight ounces of the product can kill a 75 pound dog. If you are unable to catch it early, an irreversible damage is possible to the pet's kidneys. Spilled or leaked antifreeze can also get into rivers and lakes which can harm fishes and other wildlife. Hence, pet owners need to be aware of these dangers and closely watch for small green puddles in the garages or the pavement where cars are parked. It is not uncommon to see leaks from engine coolant systems, but there are times when small spills can happen when topping up the car's coolant reservoir. Nontoxic Alternatives To Antifreeze Utilize "Low Tox" antifreeze that has been developed with the aid of propylene glycol, which is as effective as ethylene glycol; but a touch on the expensive side. The added cost is hidden as the mix ratio of ethylene glycol is 50:50 (antifreeze/water), while the propylene glycol mix is 60:40. Considering how little antifreeze car owners need to buy, this incremental cost is a small price to pay for safety of the pets and the environment. Remember, domestic pets have the sense of smelling and hearing that assists them to remain alert to danger. But, they do not have any defense against the hidden dangers of chemicals present in your house. As a pet owner, it then becomes your duty to recognize these unseen hazards and take preventative measures to ensure the long life of the pets.
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AuthorI've been working in pet industry for almost 15 years. My expertise came from a lifelong interest in helping people to train their dogs & quick pet health advise. Archives
March 2024
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