Holistic health for our pets should include a consideration of the environment they live in. For example, the substances we clean our houses with have implications for the health of our pets. They tread on the floors with bare paws and breathe the smells released. This article by homeopath and canine microbiome expert Julie Anne Lee is featured on the Adored Beast Apothecary website and we are pleased to be able to reproduce it here.
What do you use to clean your home? It’s easy to pass through the cleaning aisle and toss your go-to cleaner in the cart. You’ve always used it, and it does a good job. But – and this is important – is pet safe cleaning something you consider as well? Is that favourite floor cleaner or all purpose cleaner pet friendly?
Or, have you ever looked at the ingredients in the bottle and wondered “What the heck is that?”
Why Pet Safe Cleaning Matters
More and more studies are confirming that our pets are at a higher health risk than even people from the negative effects of chemicals and fragrances in our home. And when you consider where these cleaners are used, or when, and their close proximity to your furry friend, that’s concerning.
This is especially important since many of us have increased our use of disinfectants around the house to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
These are some of the most common chemicals found in today’s cleaning products – and they’re all harmful to our pets (and us):
- Phenols – typically found in cleaners with the word “sol” in the name
- Amonia – common in floor cleaners, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and multi-surface cleaners
- Phthalates – often used with scented products, like air fresheners or fabric spray
- Formaldehyde – common in general household cleaners
- Bleach
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Perchloroethylene – typically found in rug and carpet shampoos
If your pet breathes in the harsh fumes or ingests these ingredients, the results can range from skin, nose, and eye irritation, to nausea and vomiting, to respiratory issues, among others.
And like always our pets are inevitably our guardians. They keep things happier and healthier for us, and we should do the same for them. It’s not good for us to be exposed to these things either, walk around them, inhale them, touch them, etc.
Thankfully, your pet’s daily exposure to harmful chemicals via cleaning products can be eliminated easily with a few simple ingredients.
Pet Safe Cleaning Recipes
When it comes to pet safe cleaning, these recipes have your whole house covered! You don’t need to worry about using them around your pet or be concerned if your pet accidentally licks the newly washed floor (or drinks out of the toilet)!
1. All Purpose Cleaner
For the bathroom or kitchen (or really any room in the house), you just need 3 ingredients for an effective, pet friendly disinfectant: apple cider vinegar, water, and lemon juice.
Mix one part vinegar and four parts water in a spray bottle. Add some lemon juice to the mix and shake, shake, shake.
This pet safe disinfectant not only works great, it also smells great too.
2. For those tough stains…
When the above just won’t do the trick, you can get a little tougher without adding chemicals to the mix. This is good for cleaning the grout in the shower, baked on stains on the stove top, or giving grease a kick out the door!
In a bowl, stir together:
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp warm water
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Mix it together until it forms a thick paste. Add more vinegar if you need a little more liquid. Use a sponge or rag and scrub those tough spots using a circular motion. Rinse well with warm water.
3. Glass Cleaner
When most of us think about cleaning those grimy windows or dirty mirrors, our minds automatically go to that blue liquid… but this chemical cocktail is just not safe for your pet.
Instead, a simple blend of lemon juice and water will do the trick. Add 5 tablespoons of lemon juice to 2 liters of water and mix well. Pour into a spray bottle, then wipe the surfaces clean with a clean lint-free cloth or old cotton t-shirt.
4. Floor Cleaner
This is a biggie. Think about where your pet spends most of his time, or the fact that his paws come in contact with the floor all day long.
If you’re using a chemical based cleaner, it’s getting onto his fur, into his skin, and on his paws.
For a safe alternative, pour 1 cup of vinegar (white or apple cider) and 1 litre of water into your mop bucket, give it a little stir, and mop away.
You might have noticed we love vinegar – and not just for cleaning! Check this out next!
Other Tips for Pet Friendly Cleaning
Not ready to go 100% natural with your cleaning? That’s ok. There are still ways to reduce your pet’s risk.
- If you use chemical-based products to clean and disinfect, allow them to dry fully before letting your pet near the newly cleaned area.
- When washing your floors, rinse well with warm water after you’ve cleaned with a chemical-based product.
- Make sure to give your pet plenty of space when you’re cleaning. Let them outside, or put them in a different room to keep their exposure to the fumes at a minimum.
- If you use a chemical toilet bowl cleaner, always keep the lid closed!
- Store chemical-based cleaners somewhere your pet can’t get access.
As always, our animals guide us to a happier, healthier life.
Happy (and safe) cleaning!
This blog first appeared on the Adored beast Apothecary website.
Useful links
Peticide – a look at a range of environmental considerations by holistic vet Mark Elliot.
Tick blogs highlighting various ways to reduce the chemical load on our animals, wildlife and the environment.
Julie Anne Lee, DCH, RcsHOM, is a qualified veterinary practitioner and graduate of the Vancouver Academy of Homeopathy. She has studied with some of the world’s leading homeopaths, including UK vets Sue Armstrong, Mark Elliot, Peter Gregory and John Saxton. She is an Associate Member of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons, BAHVS. Julie Anne is the founder and owner of the Adored beast Apothecary, where she formulates holistic pet care products and is currently working with a university on a canine cancer research project. She has also been the owner and practitioner of some of the busiest and long-standing holistic veterinary hospitals and clinics in North America, and regularly teaches on veterinary courses.
Growing up helping in her mother’s animal rescue shelter planted seeds early on of what would rapidly and passionately grow into Julie Anne’s life purpose; a deep caring and protection for animals and their health, while educating the public and veterinarians at large to empower them to make the best choices for the ethical treatment and naturally holistic approaches to their healthcare.
Julie Anne is also a pioneer in studying the dog’s microbiome and developing protocols for optimising gut health – all part of a rapidly expanding picture and understanding of the crucial role the microbiome plays in the health of all our animals and ourselves. In furthering a truly holistic approach to pet care, Julie Anne works with vets and practitioners from all over the world.
In June 2020, Julie Anne was inspired to organise The Science of Nature event which brought together some of the world’s best holistic vets, practitioners and healers to discuss solutions to the stress experienced by our animals and ourselves during times of lockdown. A follow on magazine, The Science of Nature, was also produced. See here for more details, watch the videos and read the magazine.
Disclaimer – Where blogs have been created by a guest author, CAM4Animals has reproduced this in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies of information in it or any use you make of this information.
This blog may also contain an element of consumer opinion. Whilst CAM4animals welcomes positive recommendations for holistic healthcare products, we don’t necessarily endorse the product or the author’s opinion. We acknowledge that each animal is an individual and may react differently to the highlighted product/s. There may also be other products available that produce similarly positive results.
The veterinary Surgeon’s Act 1966 restricts the treatment of animals (usually other than your own*) by anyone other than a qualified vet. Always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are concerned about your animal’s health. *For full details visit the RCVS website
Disclaimer – Where blogs have been created by a guest author, CAM4Animals has reproduced this in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies of information in it or any use you make of this information.
This blog may also contain an element of consumer opinion. Whilst CAM4animals welcomes positive recommendations for holistic healthcare products, we don’t necessarily endorse the product or the author’s opinion. We acknowledge that each animal is an individual and may react differently to the highlighted product/s. There may also be other products available that produce similarly positive results.
The veterinary Surgeon’s Act 1966 restricts the treatment of animals (usually other than your own*) by anyone other than a qualified vet. Always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are concerned about your animal’s health. *For full details visit the RCVS website