Our pets are beloved members of our households, and keeping them safe is one of the most important jobs a pet parent has. Unfortunately, many common household cleaning products, including things you might not think pose a danger to pets, can sicken animals.
Choosing pet-safe cleaning products is critical to keeping your pets safe, as is properly storing them to prevent accidents. Ahead, with the help of vets, poison experts and dog trainers, we’ve broken down the risks cleaning agents can pose to pets, the products you need to keep pets from accidentally ingesting harmful chemicals and the very best pet-safe cleaning products to stock up on.
Understanding the risks cleaning agents pose to pets
“Our pets are much closer to the floor, sleep on the floor, play with toys, eat treats and bones on the floor, lick the floor, and their bare paw pads can absorb toxins through the floor as well,” says Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and Rover Pet People panelist. “As an added danger, cats have been known to get into liquid cleaning products that are left out.”
Understanding species-specific toxicity is critical because what might be safe for a dog may not be safe for cats or birds. “When it comes to households with dogs, cats, birds, reptiles or other exotic animals,” says Dr. Philippa Pavia, the head of medical strategy at Bond Vet, “it’s important to be mindful of specific cleaning agents and ingredients that may be harmful to each species.” Dr. Pavia provided the following guidelines:
- Dogs: “Dogs are generally more resistant to cleaning agent exposure,” she says, “but some chemicals can still be harmful. Avoid using products containing bleach, ammonia, phenols, formaldehyde and certain essential oils, as they can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems or even liver damage.”
- Cats: “Cats are more sensitive to certain substances due to their grooming habits,” Pavia explains. “They have sensitivities to specific anti-pest chemicals such as pyrethrins. Avoid using products containing phenols, as they can be toxic to cats. Additionally, some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, can be harmful to cats when ingested or applied to their skin.”
- Birds: “Birds have delicate respiratory systems and are highly sensitive to airborne toxins,” Pavia says. “Avoid using aerosol sprays, strong fragrances, ammonia and products containing chemicals like chlorine, bleach or formaldehyde. Birds are also highly sensitive to fumes from nonstick cookware and overheated Teflon.”
- Reptiles: “Reptiles are sensitive to chemicals and fumes as well,” Pavia says. “Avoid using products containing phenols, ammonia, chlorine, bleach or any strong fragrances near their enclosures.”
If you suspect your pet is suffering from toxic poisoning, call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
How to choose pet-safe cleaning products
There are several ways pet parents can ensure that commercial cleaning agents and ingredients in DIY cleaners are safe for use in their household.
The first is understanding what common ingredients are not safe for pets so that you can practice what’s called “label literacy” — i.e. the ability to scan a product label and pick out anything that would not be safe to use in a home with pets. For more information about label literacy, check out the American Cleaning Institute’s helpful guide, “How to Read a Product Label.”
Avoid using cleaning products with the following ingredients around pets:
- Ammonia
- Bleach
- Chlorine
- Formaldehyde
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Phenols (a corrosive chemical that can hurt the skin and eyes or, if inhaled, injure the lungs)
- Phthalates (chemicals used to add fragrance)
- Pyrethrins (commonly found in insect repellants and pesticides)
Certain essential oils, as well, are not safe to use in households with pets. It’s critical that pet parents familiarize themselves with this list before making DIY cleaners, Ellis says: “Be careful, as many of these are not only in cleaning products but also diffusers, air fresheners and candles.” The following essential oils are not pet-safe and should be avoided:
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
- Lavender: Lavender is not safe for homes with cats, but it can be safely used in households with dogs.
- Pennyroyal
- Pine
- Sweet birch
- Tea tree
- Wintergreen
- Ylang-ylang
In addition to scanning ingredient lists on labels, Ellis says, “Be on the lookout for telltale words like ‘flammable,’ ‘corrosive,’ ‘danger’ and ‘warning,’ and stay away.” On the flip side, Pavia says, “When reading labels to determine if a product is safe for use around pets, look for phrases like ‘pet-friendly,’ ‘safe for pets,’ or similar statements, or for certifications like ‘eco-friendly,’ ‘Green Seal’ or ‘Environmental Working Group’ that indicate the product is safe for both pets and the environment.”
How to ensure safe storage
When improperly stored, cleaning agents pose an enormous risk to children, seniors, people with impairments and pets. It is important to understand and follow proper storage guidelines, and in the case of pets, there are two particular areas to be aware of. “To ensure the safety of your pets,” Pavia says, “follow these safety tips for storing cleaning supplies and other potentially dangerous household items: 1. Store in secure cabinets; 2. Secure trash bins.”
“Keep cleaning supplies and hazardous chemicals in locked cabinets or high shelves that are inaccessible to pets,” Pavia says. If you store cleaning supplies in lower shelves, use child safety locks to keep them secure.
“Use pet-proof trash cans or store them in a cupboard to prevent pets from accessing,” Pavia says.
The best pet-safe cleaning products
There are a number of great pet-safe cleaning products available, and pet parents should use the guidelines in this article to determine if their favorite cleaning agents are safe for use in their homes. We also surveyed the experts we spoke to, and pulled from our own recommendations, to round up some of the best pet-safe cleaning products on the market.
Clorox recently launched a new Free & Clear line of pet-safe cleaning products. The Multi-Surface Cleaner Spray is an all-purpose cleaner made with plant- and mineral-based ingredients and formulated without dyes, bleach and ammonia. In addition to individual products from the Free & Clear line, pet parents can purchase a personalized cleaning bundle on Clorox.com.
For cleaning and disinfecting soft surfaces, Clorox Free & Clear Disinfecting Mist can be used on hundreds of hard and soft surfaces in your home (and car!) where your pets may roam, including couches, car interiors and dog beds.
Cleaning wipes are popular with pet parents for their ease of use. Clorox Free & Clear Compostable Wipes are safe to use on hard, nonporous surfaces, including pet bowls and pet crates.
Because many pets spend a lot of time on the floor, using a pet-safe floor cleaner is important to keeping them safe. Bona’s line of floor cleaning products are pet-safe and expert-approved.
Not all floor cleaners can be used on all flooring types, so when choosing a product that is pet-safe, also be sure that it is safe to use on your flooring material, like Bona’s Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner Spray that’s safe to use on stone, tile and durable flooring types. For more on floor care, check out our guide to cleaning floors.
When it comes to cleaning up messes that your pets make, the experts we spoke to shared some of their favorites. “Rover recommends a cleaner with enzymes, which are proteins that help break up urine molecules and dissolve lingering smells,” Ellis says. “Brands including Skout’s Honor, Unique Pet Care, Rocco and Roxie, Angry Orange and Nature’s Miracle Pet Stain and Odor Remover are safe for pets and effective in cleaning up the messes our pets make.”
Nature’s Miracle offers separate formulas for dogs and for cats, so be sure to choose the right one for your household when making a purchase.
“Skout’s Honor and Unique are my go-to,” Ellis says. “All Skout’s Honor products are plant-based, biodegradable, eco-friendly and safe to use around pets, the family and home.”
“Unique is responsibly formulated to not only mask odors but also help get rid of them from the base issue,” Ellis says. “They have ones for various floor types to ensure the products are safe for whatever surface you’re using them on, from hardwood floor to outdoor areas and pet beds.”
When it comes to choosing a laundry detergent for your pet’s belongings, opt for a formula that is free of dyes and fragrances, like Tide Free & Gentle. “I use unscented laundry detergent for any blankets that will touch my pet,” Pavia says.
Dr. Bronner’s is another great choice for laundering pet items because it is particularly excellent at eliminating set-in odors. It is also pet-safe and has loads of uses outside the laundry room.
When it comes to many pet messes, sometimes a machine is the right cleaning product for the job. “I have Nature’s Miracle for the (thankfully rare) accidents,” Pavia says, “and a small Bissell rug cleaner that works like a charm on spot cleaning.”