For many households, spring cleaning means strong disinfectants, cleaners, and pest-control products. Unfortunately, pet parents may not realize the risk these items pose to dogs and cats.

This spring, enjoy a fresh home and a healthy pet with these simple precautions from Red Bank Veterinary Hospital Hillsborough.

Why cleaning products can be harmful to pets

You may not think about how easily or how often your pet encounters cleaning products. Everyday exposures can include:

• Walking across freshly mopped or sprayed surfaces

• Licking residue off their paw pads or coat

• Inhaling chemical fumes or aerosolized particles

• Lapping up spills or from open containers

Cats are especially sensitive to respiratory irritants and may be more likely to ingest residues because they groom themselves frequently.

Common cleaning products that can harm pets

Before you grab that spray bottle or pour a capful of cleaner, check out this list of harmful and irritating products.

Bleach and chlorine-based cleaners

Chlorine-based products, including bathroom disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and mold-removing sprays, can be irritating to your pet’s skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract.

Exposure can cause symptoms such as:

• Drooling (nausea)

• Vomiting

• Coughing

• Difficulty breathing

• Burns

Ammonia and strong degreasers

Ammonia (ammonium hydroxide) and degreaser products—including glass, oven, and multipurpose cleaners—can cause corrosive injury to pets. At low levels, they can cause burning irritation to the eyes, nose, and mouth. Pets exposed to high concentrations can experience significant respiratory irritation.

Although ammonia’s harsh odor typically repels pets, contact can still occur. In addition to the signs above, this potent chemical can also cause nausea and vomiting.

“Natural” cleaners with essential oils

Natural doesn’t always mean safe. Many essential oils are toxic to pets, especially cats. Always check the label and discontinue use of any products containing oils, including:

• Tea tree oil

• Peppermint oil

• Pine oil

• Eucalyptus oil

• Clove oil

• Wintergreen oil

Contact may occur through the pet’s skin or by inhalation. Toxicity signs can include:

• Weakness

• Tremors

• Vomiting

• Difficulty breathing

• Low heart rate

• Liver failure

If you’re unsure whether a natural cleaning product is safe for pets, search the ingredients on the Pet Poison Helpline website or contact your primary veterinarian.

Laundry and dishwasher pods

These pods contain highly concentrated detergents containing perfumes, surfactants, and dyes. Because they can be swallowed whole and have an appealing shape and odor, pets can ingest a significant amount of detergent. This can lead to irritation of the throat or digestive tract, choking, and intestinal blockage. Pneumonia can also occur if the pet inhales powdered or liquid detergent.

Symptoms of exposure include:

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Mouth irritation

• Coughing

• Difficulty breathing

Pest control products

If your spring cleaning uncovers a hidden pest population, take pause. Popular products like rat and mouse bait, ant and cockroach traps, and insect sprays can cause serious harm to dogs and cats.

Depending on the product type, ingestion can cause symptoms including:

• Internal bleeding

• Seizures

• Nervous system dysfunction

• Irreversible organ damage

Don’t wait for your pet to show signs of illness, as symptoms may be delayed up to one or two days. If you know your pet was exposed to a pesticide product, seek immediate emergency care.

What to do if your pet has been exposed

If your pet has come in contact with a cleaning product, act quickly and take the following precautions:

• Move your pet away from the product, spill, or treated area

• Rinse exposed paws or skin with lukewarm water

• Save the product packaging or ingredients list

• Contact our emergency service for further instructions. Do not attempt to make your pet vomit unless instructed to do so.

Our 24/7/365 emergency service is available day or night for walk-in care, including for toxin ingestion. Don’t wait for signs to appear—contact our team immediately.

How to clean safely around pets

Healthy pets and clean homes go hand in hand. Here’s how you can tidy up without exposing your pet to toxins.

Keep pets out of the room

Block access to cleaned areas until you are completely finished and any treated surfaces are dry.

Open windows to increase ventilation

Fresh air reduces exposure to highly concentrated fumes and aerosolized particles.

Rinse surfaces after using strong products

Use clean water to rinse away harsh chemicals like bleach and other irritants. This is especially important on floors and other surfaces where your pet has direct contact.

Store cleaning products out of your pet’s reach

When not in use, cleaning products should be securely closed and kept in an inaccessible place, such as a latched cabinet or high shelf. Never leave open containers or cleaning supplies, including rags, unattended.

Swap traditional cleaners with pet-safe alternatives

Although no product is completely risk-free, replacing commercial cleaners with kinder substitutes is a healthy move for everyone in your home.

Safer cleaning products for pets

Always research cleaning products thoroughly and avoid DIY mixtures that include essential oils. Safer cleaning options include:

• Pet-labeled products

• Dilute vinegar solutions (on select surfaces only)

• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

• Unscented dish soap

Enjoy a healthy home and pet this spring

Spring cleaning is meant to make your home a healthy, fresh environment—but it should never be at the expense of your pet’s comfort and well-being. Understanding which products and practices pose the greatest risk, how to recognize signs of exposure, and when to use pet-friendly products can help the entire family—two- and four-legged—enjoy a cleaner, healthier home.

If your pet is showing signs of toxicity or you think they were exposed to a harmful cleaning product or another toxin, contact our 24/7 emergency service for expert guidance and support.