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Keep up to date in your pets world with the Just About Pets Blog
"Because you Love Them"
"Because you Love Them"
Do you truly know what your pet is breathing in? Did you know that some of the cleaning products in your home MAY be TOXIC for your pet? Pets are more vulnerable than people to exposure to toxins in and around the home. Since pets are smaller, they're closer to carpets, garage floors, lawns and restricted spaces which may harbor chemical and pesticide residues. With the onslaught of chemicals that face you and your pet day to day, how are you to avoid harmful toxins that can build up in the body and have damaging and lasting effects? Flea Control Chemicals and SOME Essential OilsFlea control is a challenge for most pet owners. Flea repellent products labelled as ‘natural’ may still be toxic to your pet. The chemical d’Limonene, derived from citrus peels and found in many natural anti-flea products, can be highly toxic to cats. Flea sprays and dips which contain “all natural Pyrethrin” can be toxic to some pets, and Pyrethroids , synthetic derivatives of pyrethrins, expose your pet to even more chemicals. Flea control formulations which use essential oils can be particularly hazardous to cats. Essential oils are absorbed rapidly into their skin and enter the bloodstream, and because cats do not efficiently metabolize essential oils, exposure can build to toxic levels. And while there may be no initial adverse reaction, the effects of essential oils can be cumulative and manifest themselves at a later date. Other natural ingredients known to cause allergic reactions or have toxic effects in some animals include Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil and Pennyroyal oil. Chlorine (Bleach)This highly alkaline product is especially concerning to pets as it is denser than air, which means those poisonous fumes are pet level. For your pet, who breathes in faster than you do, that means more toxins are absorbed into their system. Though naturally occurring, chlorine in high concentrations can be deadly to pets. Avoid bleach whenever possible, using oxygen “bleaches” instead in your laundry and for stain removal. Chlorine can be found in anything from laundry detergents to all-purpose cleaners. AmmoniaAmmonia is a very alkaline natural product and many people choose it because it’s a highly effective cleaning agent. However, it’s simply not worth it when you consider that ammonia is also highly toxic to your pet, causing possible severe damage to eyes, skin, stomach and even causing death with enough exposure. You must stay on the lookout too, because your pet can be exposed a few ways: through inhalation of fumes or ingestion of product or residues. Ammonia is found commonly in oven cleaners, window cleaners, floor waxes, and fertilizers – often as ammonium hydroxide. With the rise of cheap, DIY cleaners, some pure and “natural” ingredients such as ammonia are finding their way into homes again. If you have pets, keep these toxic cleaners well out of reach, or better yet, don’t use them at all. PhthalatesUsed for fragrance in household cleaners and deodorizers, cosmetics, packaging, toys, food, and many other products, phthalates are known hormone-disruptors. Since hormones control so much more than just reproduction in your pet’s system (and yours), phthalates have been linked to indirect symptoms such as weight gain, cancers, and developmental delays. You’ve probably heard of the commonly known phthalate, BPA, but there are many more. FormaldehydeFormaldehyde, while commonly known as a preservative and embalming fluid, is also found in many cleaning products for its antibacterial effects. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen in humans and can also cause a range of uncomfortable physical symptoms, including irritation of the mouth and throat lining. Exposure usually comes from inhalation, though you can absorb small amounts through the skin as well. The biggest concern for your pet would be inhaling formaldehyde through vapours in the air from cleaning products. Though it doesn’t have to be listed on your cleaner ingredient list, other names for formaldehyde include: formalin, formic aldehyde, methanediol, methanol, methyl aldehyde, methylene glycol, and methylene oxide. We care about you and your fur babies!WE HAVE PET SAFE PRODUCTSNo need to fear all these harmful chemicals, here at Just About Pets, our first priority is health and safety! We carry only pet safe and lightly scented natural cleaning products! There is a way to clean, without fear of hurting your precious pets well being! earth rated products are highly recommended!! Scentless Odor remover and stain remover, OR lavender scent! Which ever you prefer! |
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July 2019
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