Spring Cleaning: Household Hazards for P …

For many of us, springtime brings a renewed sense of energy. With that extra pep in our step comes an urge to purge and clean—hence the term “spring cleaning.” 

But while this busy time of refreshing and renewing your home can make you feel satisfied and ready for summertime, it can also pose hidden risks to the pets you share your home with.

Here’s what the team at Pet Dominion wants Rockville, MD, pet parents to know about pet safety during this productive time. 

3 Tips for Cleaning Safety with Pets

1. Handle Cleaning Products with Care

Many household cleaners contain ingredients that can irritate the skin, burn paws, or cause your pet serious illness if ingested. You don’t necessarily need to avoid all the potentially damaging spring cleaning products, but you do need to take extra care when using them in the home. 

Products with ammonia, chlorine, bleach, phenols, or quaternary ammonium compounds can cause both gastrointestinal and respiratory distress in pets. This can be true whether they’re breathed in or ingested. 

It’s all too easy for pets to get into these products, too. Spray bottles, pods, and concentrates can get broken into and chewed by curious pets—all it takes is accidentally leaving one product out. 

If you can choose safer alternatives—like diluted vinegar and baking soda—do so. If not, make sure you keep your pet in a separate room while you clean, and let them stay there until all cleaners are dry, according to the usage instructions on the label. 

Keep the rooms you clean well-ventilated and immediately store cleaners in a locked cabinet after you complete a cleaning session. 

2. Get Rid of Physical Household Hazards

One benefit of spring decluttering? It’s a chance to get rid of items that can injure pets, and that you don’t need anymore. 

If you see any power cords you don’t use—or electrical cords that’ve been chewed on—get rid of them or replace them, and then use cord covers to keep them from falling prey to your pet’s pointy teeth. 

Toss any broken furniture or items that could potentially cut or scratch your pet, and anchor any heavy bookcases or dressers to the wall if you haven’t already. 

Do an under-the-couch check to gather any loose items that have been collected over the years—like rubber bands, hair ties, fridge magnets, and batteries, all of which can cause intestinal blockages if pets ingest them. 

3. Stay Aware of Seasonal Toxins Used in Spring Projects

Spring cleaning isn’t the only project that can unleash toxic fumes in your home and yard. Paints, solvents, and adhesives can also contain compounds you don’t want your pet to inhale or ingest. Keep your pets away from any such projects until they are fully cured. 

If you treat your yard with pest control products like insecticides and rodenticides, try to find pet-safe alternatives to the highly dangerous ones commonly used in pet-free households. 

It’s even important to watch out for essential oils, like eucalyptus, peppermint, and citrus, all of which can cause burns to your pet if ingested.

A Safer Springtime

A happy and drama-free springtime starts with planning with pets in mind. When pet parents do their best to secure harmful chemicals, reduce physical risks, and do seasonal projects with care, plenty of problems can be successfully avoided. 

If you suspect your pet has gotten into something harmful, call your local emergency veterinarian right away. You can also call the experienced team at Pet Dominion during business hours to see if we can help—we’re open every day of the week. 

Call us at (301) 258-0333 to schedule an appointment today.