Why Choose a Pet-Friendly Disinfectant for Your Dogs?

Why Choose a Pet-Friendly Disinfectant for Your Dogs?

Cleaning and disinfecting have become a priority for most people since the COVID-19 pandemic, and while keeping your home and living spaces sanitised is essential, you also need to consider how it is affecting your furry friends. The truth is that many traditional and chemical-based cleaning products are toxic to pets, and exposing them to these harmful substances could threaten their health. By choosing a pet friendly disinfectant, you can help maintain to keep both humans and pets safe and healthy.

How are cleaning products harmful to dogs and animals?

Many conventional cleaning products and disinfectants contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to pets. As our pets are naturally curious creatures, they will often use their noses and mouths to explore the environment around them. If you have used a traditional chemical cleaning product, then this makes them extremely susceptible to being exposed to potentially toxic substances. Even if a strong chemical smell deters your pet from actively licking the chemical, the chances are they will walk on the freshly cleaned surface and end up with the cleaner all over their paws. All it takes is for them to lick their paws when cleaning themselves and they have ingested the dangerous chemicals.

If your pet does get exposed to cleaning products, then the symptoms to look out for include:

· Blisters

· Sore patches of skin, especially on their paws or around their mouth

· Difficulty eating

· Vomiting

· Signs of tummy ache

Drooling or frothing at the mouth

· Lethargy

• Becoming uncoordinated

Seizures

· Collapsing

If your pet begins to show any of these symptoms, then you need to call your vet straight away. If you think that they may have had access to cleaning products then you need to give as much detail as possible. It will also help if you can take the label to the vet with you.

How do I know if a product is pet-safe?

There is no official certification that determines if a product is pet-safe or not, however, there are certain ingredients that you can choose to avoid if you want to keep your furry friend safe from harm. The best thing that you can do is to check the ingredients in a product before you buy it to make sure that you are avoiding the dangerous chemicals that pose a risk to your pets. A quick list of the ingredients to avoid includes:

· Bleach – unfortunately, one of the most effective household cleaners is also one of the most toxic for our pets. Bleach can be used on surfaces if it has been well-diluted and used in a ventilated space, and you need to wait for the bleach to dry before allowing your pets near the area. If your pet does swallow it in concentrated form, then it can cause vomiting, burns, diarrhoea, and even seizures.

Ammonia – this is a common household cleaner, and can be found in oven cleaners, window cleaners, hardwood floor waxes and stainless-steel cleaners. If your pet comes into contact with ammonia, it can cause dangerous respiratory issues, including trouble breathing and burning.

· Phthalates – typically used to make cleaning products smell good, phthalates are chemicals that can be found in air fresheners and other scented products. Studies show that phthalates can be

carcinogenic for both humans and animals, so it is best to check before spraying your new air freshener all around your house!

In addition to these main dangerous substances, you need to try and avoid any products that contain formaldehyde, glycol ethers, dioxane, perchloroethylene, or phenols. If you are not sure if your cleaning product is pet-friendly, then speak to your veterinarian who will be able to confirm for you.

Tips for keeping your pet safe

1. When using cleaning products, read the labels to check carefully the ingredients and ensure that you follow the instructions carefully. If a product requires diluting, make sure you are diluting it properly to reduce the risk of your pet becoming ill.

2. When you are done with liquid cleaners, you need to rinse out buckets and mops thoroughly.

3. Keep cabinet doors shut when you are not cleaning so that your pets can’t investigate any of the cleaning product bottles.

4. To clean pet bedding (or your own if your pet sleeps in your bed) use regular laundry detergent instead of harsh cleaning agents.

MedibLU disinfectant is an extremely powerful organic disinfectant. Not only is it broad spectrum but it also prevents pathogen mutation. It is an all-in-1 biocide for high- and low-level disinfection that can replace approximately 93% of conventional products with substances of concern. This means that it will get rid of all of the germs in your house, while still being safe to use around your pets and children! If you would like more information, check out our full range of pet friendly disinfectant wipes and sprays today.