| Cleaning With Chemicals From A Pet’s Point Of View |
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"Cleaning" with chemicals may be an oxymoron to many of us due to the polluting effects and the caustic nature of chemicals in general. But what do you think it is like from a pet's perspective... Cats, Dogs and Birds are sensitive to the slightest scent and chemical changes around them. Their skin, lungs and livers are their most sensitive and most easily damaged organs. The canine nose has 20 times as many primary receptors as human noses - a view into the sensitivities, strengths and vulnerabilities our friends possess.
As green, eco-responsible carpet and air duct cleaners who only use plant based products we have a few vets who refer us to their patients having canine epilepsy. A known trigger for that unfortunate condition is chemicals, especially carpet cleaning chemicals. Due to the "constant contact" that cats and dogs have with the floor and furniture, contact dermatitis is also a danger with these surfaces when they are cleaned or treated with chemicals.
Pet owners have submitted widespread accounts on thr web. citing grave illness and even death to their pets after exposure to products like" Fabreeze"and"Swiffer" both the wet and dry versions. Pine based products, products with chlorine additives, and anything with a high level of volatile organic compounds is detrimental or fatal to a pet depending on their individual constitution. Please take it seriously, one of my pets, a large Belgium Malinois, broke out in hives all over her face and head after coming into contact with clothes dried at a friend's house who used fabric softer sheets in the load. One of my cats is twenty-one and she is originally from the Middle East and is very chemically sensitive, has been since she was a kitten rescued from the desert. A good air cleaner is essential to a pet’s well being as dust and dust mites are an allergen to them as well. All this green consciousness and eco-friendly minded consumerism must be extended above all to the family members who are most vulnerable, small children, individuals with suppressed immune systems, and pets.
Michelle Viggiano, www.healthyhomeaz.com |
