Dog owners warned cleaning products could be 'fatal' without this 2 hour rule

Dog owners warned cleaning products could be 'fatal' without this 2 hour rule

Spring cleaning is a popular bank holiday activity for many households, with a survey last year revealing that about 1 in 3 people use the bank holiday to clean. Worryingly, 29% of pet owners don't buy pet-safe cleaning products, putting pets at high risk.

With some products capable of causing severe reactions, Chris Maxted, director of dog safety gate Dog-G8 www.dog-g8.com shares how owners can tackle this job while keeping their pet safe.

Dangers of cleaning product for pets

"Something as simple as walking across a freshly mopped floor and then licking their paws can expose dogs to chemical residues.

"Bleach, drain cleaners and even products marketed as natural can still be harmful to dogs as it can contain irritants, artificial fragrances and essential oils, or toxic scents like lemons and citrus which are all unsafe to inhale and could be fatal."

The '2 hour rule' pet owners are being urged to follow

"After using strong cleaning products, dogs should be kept away from treated areas for at least two hours to allow surfaces to fully dry and fumes to disperse, as contact too soon can lead to ingestion or irritation through their paws and skin."

How do you clean with your pet around?

"One of the simplest ways to reduce risk is to keep dogs out of the home while cleaning is underway, whether that's taking them out for a longer walk or spending time in the garden so surfaces have time to dry.

"If taking your dog out isn't possible, setting up a dedicated space away from cleaning activity with their bed, toys or a crate can help keep them settled and prevent them from coming into contact with harmful products."

Watch out for toilets and mop buckets

"Many cases of exposure come from dogs drinking from recently cleaned toilets or accessing mop buckets that still contain diluted chemicals."

Keep products where dogs can't access them

"Dogs are often drawn to brightly coloured bottles or unusual packaging and if they're able to get into cleaning cupboards, they may chew items.

"Small discarded items during decluttering can be especially dangerous as they are easy for dogs to pick up and swallow."