Chemicals found in most household cleaners can cause health issues in cats and dogs ranging from mild discomfort to serious harm. Understanding how various products affect pets, the ways exposure can happen, and best safety practices can help protect pets against toxic household cleaners.
Chemicals in household cleaners can affect pets in a few ways. The consequence of exposure depends on the type and severity of contact.
Contact can happen directly through skin, by inhalation, or by ingestion.
Chemical exposure can cause varying degrees of skin, respiratory, oral, and gastrointestinal issues. It can also cause neurological symptoms, aspiration (inhalation of vomit—in many cases from ingesting foamy cleaners), and death in severe cases. Some chemicals when ingested can rupture the stomach or esophagus.
Potential effects of some common product types:
- Dryer sheets: choking hazard/intestinal blockage, mouth and esophageal ulcers
- Bleach: respiratory harm when inhaled before dry and chemical burns to skin, mouth, esophagus, and stomach when contacted/ingested
- Undiluted vinegar: respiratory irritation when inhaled, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth irritation and pain when ingested
- Essential oils: neurological symptoms, depression, vomiting, and diarrhea—some are more toxic than others and at varying degrees
- Carpet powders: skin and respiratory irritation
- Aerosol disinfectant sprays: eye and respiratory irritation
Symptoms of exposure or ingestion can include one or more of the following:
- Red, raw skin
- Blisters or sores on skin
- Ulcers in mouth
- Pain
- Pawing at mouth
- Drooling
- Fever
- Refusing to eat
- Watery/tearing eyes
- Lethargy/depression
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sneezing, coughing, wheezing,
- Open-mouth breathing in cats
If your pet displays any of these symptoms after exposure to cleaning products, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately or take them to an emergency room.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661
All cleaning products, even natural and pet-safe ones, have the potential to cause irritation and illness.
Some products are more toxic than others. Generally, the more warnings a label carries, the more toxic the product is. And, the more noxious a product smells, the more toxic it usually is.
Here’s a list of the more toxic cleaning ingredients and in which products you’ll find them:
- Bleach and chlorine: found as stand-alone products and in many all-purpose cleaners, laundry products, and in pool products
- Formaldehyde (also labeled as formalin, formic aldehyde, methanal, methylene, and quaternium-15): found in bathroom cleaners, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners
- Phthalates (may be listed simply as fragrance): found in air fresheners/deodorizers and all-purpose/multi-surface cleaners
- Ammonia (also ammonium hydroxide): found in many products including disinfectant sprays and wipes, air fresheners, all-purpose/multi-surface cleaners, glass cleaners, mold removers, drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, carpet shampoos, furniture cleaners, laundry detergents, and more
- Isopropyl alcohol (commonly called rubbing alcohol): found in electronics cleaners and disinfectant sprays
- Phenols (also labeled as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), benzenol, carbolic acid, phenolic acid, Bakelite, and alkylphenols): found in air fresheners, laundry detergents, and disinfectant sprays and wipes
- Benzalkonium chloride: found in disinfectant sprays and wipes, all-purpose/multi-surface cleaners, and bathroom cleaners
Keep pets safe from toxic household cleaners with the following tips:
- Keep pets out of the area you’re cleaning to reduce the risk they’ll walk through or breath in cleaning solutions, fumes, or sprays.
- Keep all products out of pets’ reach—consider storing in rooms not frequented by pets or use child/pet proofing mechanisms on cabinets.
- Read labels—heed warnings and follow usage and storage instructions including how to properly dilute solutions, rinse, and dry surfaces.
- Don’t mix cleaners as this can result in dangerous gases.
- Ventilate rooms when cleaning, allowing them to air out before allowing pets back into the space.
- Rinse surfaces after cleaning and allow to dry completely before pets come into contact.
- Opt for fragrance-free products.
- Don’t allow pets to drink from or play in toilet water.
- Avoid using essential oils on or around pets*.
- Discard dryer sheets immediately after use, and don’t allow pets to play with them. Never rub pets’ fur with dryer sheets.
- Immediately throw away/remove paper towels and wipes used to clean.
- Close containers tightly to avoid accidental spills.
- Take care when spraying disinfectants, deodorizers, air fresheners, etc. as they settle down at pet-level.
*Always consult your veterinarian before using any essential oils advertised for pet health.
What to do if a pet ingests cleaner:
When a pet ingests a household cleaner, the chemical type, concentration amount, and level of exposure determine the toxicity level.
If your pet licks or ingests a cleaning product, or you suspect they have, call your local veterinarian or a pet poison hotline straight away. They’ll help you determine if your pet requires a visit to the emergency room. Be sure to have the product container with you when you call.
In case of skin contact, wash the area with mild soap and water and watch for signs of irritation.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661
References
Campbell A, Chapman M. Handbook of Poisoning in Dogs and Cats. Wiley-Blackwell; 2008.
EWG’s guide to healthy cleaning. https://www.ewg.org/cleaners/
Is the Latest Home Trend Harmful to Your Pets? What You Need to Know! ASPCA. Published January 17, 2018. https://www.aspca.org/news/latest-home-trend-harmful-your-pets-what-you-need-know
Khan SA, McLean MK, Slater MR. Concentrated tea tree oil toxicosis in dogs and cats: 443 cases (2002–2012). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2013;244(1):95-99. doi:10.2460/javma.244.1.95
Murphy M. Toxin exposures in dogs and cats: drugs and household products. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1994;205(4):557-560.
Plumlee KH. Clinical Veterinary Toxicology. Mosby Incorporated; 2004.
Safer Choice | US EPA. US EPA. Published December 2, 2025. https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice