Is Pine-Sol Safe For Pets?

Keeping an immaculate home is very important to you, which is why you keep your closet stocked with household cleaners and your favorite ones likely include Windex, the Magic Eraser, Clorox, and, of course, Pine-Sol for a floor cleaner. But with your cat or dog around, you're concerned that these cleaning products are not safe, and could sadly be Pine-Sol cleaner does, in fact, contain ingredients that are toxic to animals.

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Pine-Sol was invented in the 1920s, and today, there are a number of different Pine-Sol cleaning products available in different Pine-Sol scents. They include the Original scent, Sparkling Wave, Tropical Flowers, Lemon Fresh, and Lavender Clean. While they may make your home look sparkling clean and smell fresh, there are some health concerns when it comes to both humans and pets.

Pine-Sol ingredients include pine oil, benzoic acid, isopropyl alcohol, and sulfonic acids, which have been linked to respiratory issues, cancer, reproductive effects, skin irritation, and vision damage in humans if ingested.

If something is harmful to humans, it is usually harmful to pets as well. If ingested in large amounts, Pine-Sol can be toxic to pets, and can even cause death. If your pet's skin comes in contact with it, it could cause his skin to become irritated. The household cleaner has also been linked to seizures in dogs.

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Let's say your dog only licked up a little bit of Pine-Sol, or your cat walked through a small puddle of it. They may be fine, but it's best to go to your veterinarian as soon as possible just to make sure. This is especially true with smaller animals, such as a cat or small dog.

If you know that your pet drank a lot of Pine-Sol floor cleaner or it got all over his body, then you have a bigger issue on your hands. Ingesting a large amount is extremely dangerous to animals, as it can cause lung damage, kidney damage, and liver damage.

You'll know your dog or cat is sick if they vomit, have diarrhea, don't have an appetite, or are drooling. Signs of internal bleeding include pale gums, a fast heart rate, coughing or vomiting up blood, weakness, collapsing, and lethargy. Signs of kidney and liver failure are excessive thirst or urination, black-tarry stool, and abnormal behavior. Even if your dog or cat isn't outwardly displaying that they are sick, you should still rush to the vet if you believe Pine-Sol caused some harm.

Simply using Pine-Sol, or any toxic household cleaners, may not have much of an effect, if any, on your pets. However, if you want to avoid the risk of ingestion or coming into contact with the chemicals in Pine-Sol, you can make your own cleaning products instead. Not only is it simple to make them, but it's also going to save you money. Use household staples like white vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, castile oil, and vodka to clean up around your home.

Another option is to buy household cleaners that are safe for pets. They include cleaning products like Method Squirt + Mop, Nature's Miracle Carpet Shampoo, and Tide Purclean Unscented. Look for brands that make cleaning products specifically for pet messes, such as Arm & Hammer, Woolite, and Paw Sense.

Whatever cleaning products you have — whether they're homemade or store-bought — make sure you store them in a place your dog or cat cannot reach. You may also want to keep them in a separate room when you clean, just in case the chemicals irritate them. And, of course, make sure you have your vet's number on speed dial should anything go wrong.

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Pine-Sol is not safe for dogs or cats to ingest. If you mopped the floors with Pine-Sol and your pet simply walks through it, it likely won't cause significant damage, but it's best to clean your pet's paws off so they do not ingest any of the product. If your pet has ingested any Pine-Sol, call your vet immediately.

For alternative floor cleaners or all-purpose cleaners, try making your own solutions with pet-safe household ingredients (such as vinegar or baking soda), or seek out pet-safe cleaners like Method Squirt, Nature's Miracle, or Tide Purclean.