We spend a lot of time thinking about what our dogs and cats eat, but their environment is important too. Pets spend much of their lives close to the floor, walking across carpets and grass, sleeping on furniture, and licking their paws and coats. We cannot eliminate every chemical our pets come in contact with, but we can reduce exposure by making better choices about the products we use in our homes and yards.

Air Fresheners, Plug-Ins, and Scented Products

Air fresheners, plug-ins, room sprays, carpet deodorizers, scented candles, cleaners, and other fragranced household products can release chemicals into the air. Because dogs and cats are smaller than we are and have a much stronger sense of smell, exposure to these chemicals can have a greater effect on them.

I recommend avoiding:

• Plug-in air fresheners 
• Aerosol room sprays 
• Carpet powders and deodorizers 
• Strongly scented candles 
• Fabric sprays 
• Scented cleaning products 
• Strong perfumes sprayed near pets 

Household Cleaning Products

There are many household products made with simpler ingredients and without strong fragrances or unnecessary chemicals. I recommend avoiding cleaners that leave strong fumes or chemical residues on surfaces your pet comes in contact with. 

Lawn and Garden Chemicals

Dogs can be exposed to lawn products simply by walking or lying on treated grass and then licking their paws. Lawn and garden pesticides can also be tracked into the home. 

Reducing chemical exposure is also one part of a proactive approach to long-term health. For more information, read Nutrition to Help Prevent Cancer in Dogs and Cats. 

Try to limit your pet’s exposure to:

• Insecticides 
• Weed killers 
• Herbicides 
• Fertilizers 
• Flea and tick yard treatments 
• Slug and snail products 
• Rodent poisons 

Lawn and garden chemicals can remain on grass and soil after they are applied, creating continued exposure for pets that walk, play, or lie on treated areas. If you use a lawn service, find out exactly what products are being applied so you can make a better decision about whether you want them used around your pet. 

Flea and Tick Products

Flea and tick products contain pesticides designed to kill or repel parasites, and some can cause serious reactions in dogs and cats. Neurological reactions, including tremors and seizures, have been reported with certain flea and tick products. I believe chemical flea and tick products should be used only when necessary.

Essential Oils

Essential oils can be harmful when they are used in concentrated amounts or are not properly diluted and formulated for pets. Cats are especially sensitive to many essential oils.

I do not recommend:

• Using concentrated essential oils directly on your pet 
• Using essential oils that have not been properly diluted for pets 
• Using essential oil products made for people on dogs or cats 

There are pet products, including natural flea and tick products, that contain properly diluted blends of essential oils formulated specifically for pets. These are very different from applying concentrated essential oils directly to your pet.

Cigarette and Vape Smoke

Dogs and cats living in a home where people smoke or vape can be exposed to chemicals in the air. Residue can also remain on carpets, furniture, bedding, clothing, and other surfaces after the smoking or vaping has stopped. The best way to reduce this exposure is to keep smoking and vaping outside and away from your pet.

Plastic Food and Water Bowls

I recommend stainless steel, glass, or ceramic food and water bowls rather than plastic, which can scratch easily and harbor bacteria.

Laundry and Fabric Products

Your pet sleeps on blankets, beds, rugs, and sometimes your furniture, so laundry products are another source of exposure that is easy to overlook.

I do not recommend heavily scented:

• Laundry detergents 
• Fabric softeners 
• Dryer sheets 
• Scent boosters 
• Fabric sprays 

Safer Household Products I Recommend

There are many household products available that are better choices for homes with dogs and cats. Here are just a few I recommend:

Floor and Household Cleaner
Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner
Fragrance-free and made without dyes. It is a good general-purpose choice for hard household surfaces.

Laundry Detergent
Seventh Generation Liquid Detergent Free & Clear
Fragrance- and dye-free and EPA Safer Choice certified. A better choice for washing pet bedding, blankets, and other fabrics your pet regularly comes in contact with.

Carpet Cleaner and Odor Remover
Nature's Miracle Unscented Stain & Odor Remover (Unscented)
An enzymatic cleaner designed for pet urine, feces, vomit, and other pet messes. 

Dish Soap
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Liquid
Fragrance- and dye-free and a good option for washing pet food and water bowls.

Disinfectant
Force of Nature Multi-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant
A fragrance-free disinfectant made with simple ingredients and no added dyes, preservatives, or artificial fragrances. It can be used on many household surfaces.

How I Can Help

When I put together a nutritional and holistic program, I look beyond what is in your pet's food bowl. Diet, supplements, medications, weight, age, health history, and environmental factors can all be important.

During a consultation, I also look closely at the products your pet is exposed to in the home and yard. We can go through what you are currently using and determine whether there are products I would recommend changing or avoiding.

If you would like help developing an individualized nutritional and holistic program for your dog or cat, contact For Pet Health to schedule a consultation.