Spring Cleaning: 5 Household Cleaners to Avoid Near Cats

As we spruce up our homes this spring, our feline assistants will be there to help (or hinder!) our efforts. Keeping your cat safe from household cleaners is critical, especially if your kitty enjoys following you around during cleaning duties.

Here are some safety tips to keep your cat safe during spring cleaning.

Spring Cleaning Cat Safety

Cats tend to be particularly sensitive to many cleaning products used around the home. Always store the product out of reach and keep your cat away from any applied products until the product finishes drying. Pet-safe products are available, but even these products should still be used carefully around pets.

How Do Cats Accidentally Ingest Household Product Cleaners?

There are several ways cats can find an opportunity to come in contact with a household cleaning. A few of these ways include:

• Licking paw pads and feet after walking on a wet cleaning product
• Accidentally being sprayed with the product and grooming it off of their haircoat
• Licking the product itself before it has dried
• Chewing the container and ingesting some of the product

These exposures may be witnessed, or evidence of a chewed bottle found afterward. Often, however, cats will display symptoms that prompt the pet parent to look for potential causes.

The most common effects from exposure to household cleaners include stomach upset and skin irritation, but even minor exposures to certain products can result in chemical burns of the skin, mouth, and digestive tract.

If your cat is in an enclosed space, like a bathroom, breathing in certain fumes can also cause respiratory irritation. Early signs your cat has been exposed to a harmful chemical include excessive drooling, gagging, vomiting, and rapid breathing.

If you are concerned that your pet may have come into contact with a household cleaner, call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately.

5 Household Cleaners Toxic to Cats

Many common cleaners can pose a risk to your cat’s skin and have potential for oral and digestive tract damage resulting in irritation, ulceration, or significant chemical burns. The following types of household cleaners can be toxic to cats:

1. Laundry Detergents

Cats are very sensitive to the surfactants used in laundry detergents and may have worse symptoms than dogs. Stomach upset may be seen and if a detergent pod is ingested, the concentrated product will often cause excessive drooling, bubbling in the mouth, coughing, difficulty breathing, and possible aspiration. Ensure your laundry detergent is secured away from a cat.

2. Disinfectant Cleaners

Disinfectant cleaners have a variety of active ingredients that can have negative effects to cats if they have any exposure to their skin, ingest any of the product, or get any of the product in their eyes. Symptoms may range from mild irritation of the affected area to serious injury, such as ulcers to the skin, eyes, mouth, and digestive tract. Pet-safe all-surface cleaners may be a safer alternative.

Regardless of the product, always ensure your cleaning products are stored in either a locked cabinet or hidden away from a cat’s prying paw.

3. Bleach–Based Cleaners

Bleach-based cleaners have many different concentrations, but all carry the same potential concern as for disinfectant cleaners. Low-concentration household bleach will often cause mild irritation to the exposed area and stomach upset. Higher-concentration products will bring a greater risk of ulcers developing at the affected area. Do not let your cat enter any room where bleach was used if the area is still wet or has a strong bleach odor.

4. Drain Cleaners (Drain Opener/Clog Remover)

These are typically extremely acidic (very low pH) or alkaline (very high pH) and can result in severe tissue damage, even in very small amounts. Exposure to drain cleaners usually occurs to the skin, mouth, and eyes. Redness, pain, and ulcers may be seen as early as an hour after exposure to the product.

5. Oven Cleaners

Oven cleaners have a hard job, so they contain powerful chemicals to clean caked-on and burnt food residue. Unfortunately, if a cat were to ingest these products, have any exposure to their skin, or breathe the powerful fumes, sores and ulcers may develop on the skin and mouth.

Cats may drool and have labored breathing if the fumes are inhaled. Keep oven cleaners in a secure location away from a cat’s access, and don’t allow your cat access to the kitchen after an oven cleaner is used until the odor has cleared and the product has been safely stored.

Signs of Household Cleaner Poisoning in Cats

• Excessive drooling
• Decreased or lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Hiding or other antisocial behavior
• Skin redness/irritation and pain

What To Do if Your Cat Accidentally Ingests a Toxic Household Cleaner

• Call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 for guidance on next steps.
• Remove your cat from the area where the toxin is present.
• Bathe the cat with gentle soap/fragrance-free hand dishwashing solution.
• Rinse the mouth with water or encourage drinking with chicken broth or tuna juice; do not force your cat to drink if they refuse.
• If applicable, keep the household cleaner product label nearby to reference.

Do not attempt to induce vomiting unless directed by Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian.

Pet-Safe Household Cleaners

While any cleaner can be used if proper safety precautions are taken, you may want to switch out some of your cleaners for pet-safe options, especially if your cat likes to help with chores.

Pet-safe products to add to your closet include:

Most importantly, if you believe your cat ingested any toxic household cleaner, contact the Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian for next steps.