Spring cleaning. It's something everyone alternately looks forward to and looks for every reason not to do it. It freshens up the home and welcomes the lighter, warmer weather, and with it comes all the cleaners - including ones that can be harmful to popular pets for younger children such as ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc., These are the animals that have lots of free roaming around the house, and on top of cleaners, there can be a wealth of toxins in the home.
It is important to let pets free outside their cage, but in doing so, these curious creatures are at a high risk for poisioning. With anything from houseplants, to over the counter medications, there are many things that are harmful to domesticated rodents. There have been roughly 3,000 small pet poisonings in the past five years. “We see a lot of ibuprofen toxicities, especially in ferrets,” says ASPCA Senior Veterinary Toxicologist Dr. Eric Dunayer. “And domesticated rodents—who often escape from their cages—frequently ingest rat and mouse poisons.”
What Should I do about Cleaning?
Check the label. Labels that warn of keeping away from pets until dry are all right to use so long as the directions are followed. Other cleaners, such as bleach, can be harmful to cats because of the phenols it contains. If using these is still a little bothersome, however, than homemade cleaners is the way to go. For hardwood floors, using black teabags works nicely as the acid in the tea is what does the job. Just steep the tea for twenty minutes and then use it to scrub the flooring.
For the showers and windows, get a spray bottle and mix in water, vinegar, and essential oils for scent. If a pet were to get into the concoction, the ingredients are harmless.
What Should I Be on the Lookout For?
In addition to making sure the beloved house pet doesn't get into the Ajax, it should also be noted that prescriptions and over the counter medicines, chocolate, avocado, and onion, azaleas, as well as all plants in the plant genera Lilium, and appliance cords and electrical wires are all harmful things they can get into. Chocolate, avocado and onion can cause vomiting, seizures, and diarrhea and some flowers, like lilies, are toxic to some animals.
A good resource to find out about something you're unsure about is the ASPCA. They update regularly with information about things that are harmful and can poison pets.
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