Spring Cleaning Pet Safety: Protect Your Pets from Toxic Products

Spring brings open windows, fresh air, and the urge to scrub everything from baseboards to garage floors. It feels good to reset your home after winter.

But while you’re refreshing your space, it’s worth asking an important question:

Are your cleaning products safe for your pets?

Each year, hundreds of thousands of pet poisoning cases are reported in the United States. The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) received more than 351,000 calls in 2023, and many exposures occur inside the home. In fact, studies consistently show that 9 out of 10 pet poisonings happen at home - often unintentionally.

Spring cleaning season can quietly increase those risks.

Why Spring Cleaning Can Be Risky for Pets

Spring often means stronger disinfectants, deep carpet treatments, garage clean-outs, and yard maintenance. We pull out products we don’t use every day - bleach solutions, mold removers, pest sprays, fertilizers, and weed killers.

While these products are effective at killing germs and pests, they can irritate or poison pets through simple exposure. Dogs and cats don’t just walk across freshly cleaned floors - they groom themselves afterward. They don’t just sniff treated grass - they roll in it.

And because pets are smaller than we are, even small amounts of certain substances can have significant effects.

Common Cleaning Products That Can Harm Pets

Many everyday household products pose risks when used without precautions.

Bleach and disinfectants, for example, can cause vomiting, drooling, respiratory irritation, and skin burns if pets come into contact with wet surfaces. Even diluted solutions can be problematic if paws aren’t rinsed or floors aren’t fully dry.

Multi-surface cleaners often contain ammonia, alcohol, or phenol-based ingredients. Cats, in particular, are sensitive to phenols, which can affect their liver and nervous system.

Laundry detergents and pods are another hidden danger. Their bright colors and soft texture can attract curious pets, and ingestion can lead to chemical burns and severe gastrointestinal distress.

During spring garage clean-outs, antifreeze is especially concerning. It has a sweet taste that attracts animals, and even a small amount can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Outdoor spring prep adds additional hazards. Fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and rodenticides are all commonly used this time of year. Many of these products are intentionally formulated to attract pests - unfortunately, pets may find them just as appealing.

What Pet Exposure Can Look Like

Signs of chemical exposure vary depending on the substance, but common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, tremors, difficulty breathing, or skin irritation. Some toxins act quickly, while others may take hours or even days to show symptoms.

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to something toxic, contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinary professional.

You can also contact:

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435

• Pet Poison Helpline®: (855) 764-7661

(Consultation fees may apply.)

Prompt action can significantly improve outcomes.

Cleaning Smart: Protecting Pets During Spring Refresh

The good news is that you don’t need to stop spring cleaning - you simply need to adjust how you do it.

Keep pets out of rooms while you’re cleaning and allow surfaces and floors to dry completely before letting them return. Store all cleaning supplies in secured cabinets and never leave buckets of solution unattended.

If you’re treating your lawn, follow label instructions carefully and wait until products have fully dried before allowing pets outside. After walks in treated areas, wiping paws can reduce accidental ingestion.

During spring reorganizing, be mindful of where medications, purses, backpacks, and gum are temporarily placed. Many pet poisoning cases involve items that were only left out “for a minute.”

When possible, consider using pet-safe or veterinarian-recommended products.

A Fresh Home Should Be a Safe Home

Spring cleaning is about creating a healthier environment. That includes the pets who share your home.

Take a few minutes to look at your space from your pet’s perspective. What smells interesting? What could be knocked over? What might be licked later?

Small preventive steps can spare you an emergency veterinary visit - and protect the animals who trust you every day.

A clean home feels good. A safe home feels even better.