Cleaning Products
Critical
Many common household cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful or fatal to pets if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. The severity depends on the product, concentration, and amount of exposure.
Highly Dangerous Products:
- Bleach: Caustic burns to mouth, oesophagus, and stomach; respiratory irritation
- Drain cleaners: Severe chemical burns, tissue damage
- Oven cleaners: Caustic burns to tissues
- Toilet bowl cleaners: Chemical burns, gastrointestinal damage
- Concentrated phenol products: Liver and kidney damage (especially toxic to cats)
- Pine oil cleaners: Respiratory and central nervous system effects (especially in cats)
Signs of Cleaning Product Poisoning:
- Burns or irritation around mouth, paws, or skin
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Difficulty breathing or coughing
- Vomiting or diarrhoea (may contain blood)
- Lethargy or weakness
- Pawing at face or mouth
- Lack of coordination
- Chemical smell on fur or breath
- Refusal to eat or drink
Emergency First Aid:
- Remove from exposure: Get your pet to fresh air immediately.
- Assess contamination:
- If on skin/fur: Wear gloves and rinse with lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes.
- If in eyes: Flush with lukewarm water or sterile eye wash for 15 minutes.
- If ingested: Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by a veterinarian.
- Save the product container or take a photo of the label (including ingredients).
- Contact your veterinarian or Animal Poison Control immediately.
CRITICAL - SEEK VET CARE
Never induce vomiting if your pet has ingested caustic substances like bleach, drain cleaners, or other products that can cause burns. This can cause additional damage as the substance comes back up the oesophagus. Even "natural" or "pet-safe" products can be harmful in large amounts or if misused.