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Spring Cleaning and Cats
Now that spring is just around the corner, some of you might be
itching to do the traditional Spring Cleaning, usually a good thing. But your cats may not think so: Liquid Lysol (or any phenol-based disinfecting cleaner): Harmful or fatal to cats of all sizes from Tigers to domestics in any concentration including residue for several days after application. This cleaner should not even be in the same county as a cat, much less your residence. Pine-Oil based cleaners (containing Terpenes): As above, but very slightly less toxic and not toxic if rinsed and fully dry. If you can keep your cats away from areas cleaned with these materials for a full 24 hours they may be used with great caution. They are better just avoided. If you are on a septic system and a well, just don't use them at all. Cleaners containing Triclosan: There is mixed information in the literature about this compound - suffice it to say that it is now being found in Human mother's milk, is persistent (does not break down natually) and causes thyroid complications when tested on rats. There are many alternatives as well. Bleach, alcohol-based compounds and Ammonia (not all together, of course): About the best general cleaners available when combined with appropriate detergents and the dangerous compounds in them are highly volatile, objectionable to cats and not persistent. Windex contains alcohol and ammonia, Clorox contains bleach for two examples. If your cats have a normal sense of smell (for them), they will avoid these compounds naturally if they are in sufficient concentration to be harmful. Murphy's Soaps, Dr. Bonner's Soaps and similar: Good if used as directed. Not terribly strong which may be a good thing. Petroleum-based waxes (Butcher's Paste Wax, many car-waxes): Keep cats away for at least 12 hours after application to allow the hydrocarbons to evaporate. Or use a water-based product. House Paints (Oil and Latex): Keep cats away during application and for 24 hours until fully cured. True also of all non-water-based caulks, glues, stains and varnishes. Broad-spectrum Pesticides and Chemical Fertilizers: Nearly every one of these compounds is toxic to cats in one way or another and must be used with great caution indoors and out - or not at all if possible. Most of you already know this, of course. Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA |
#2
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Spring Cleaning and Cats
Don't forget about air fresheners of any kind (spray, plug ins, etc.).
These are filled with all sorts of chemicals. One of our cats has asthma and I have stopped using air fresheners in the house. |
#3
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Spring Cleaning and Cats
On Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:17:20 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote: Now that spring is just around the corner, some of you might be itching to do the traditional Spring Cleaning, usually a good thing. But your cats may not think so: Liquid Lysol (or any phenol-based disinfecting cleaner): Harmful or fatal to cats of all sizes from Tigers to domestics in any concentration including residue for several days after application. This cleaner should not even be in the same county as a cat, much less your residence. Pine-Oil based cleaners (containing Terpenes): As above, but very slightly less toxic and not toxic if rinsed and fully dry. If you can keep your cats away from areas cleaned with these materials for a full 24 hours they may be used with great caution. They are better just avoided. If you are on a septic system and a well, just don't use them at all. Cleaners containing Triclosan: There is mixed information in the literature about this compound - suffice it to say that it is now being found in Human mother's milk, is persistent (does not break down natually) and causes thyroid complications when tested on rats. There are many alternatives as well. Bleach, alcohol-based compounds and Ammonia (not all together, of course): About the best general cleaners available when combined with appropriate detergents and the dangerous compounds in them are highly volatile, objectionable to cats and not persistent. Windex contains alcohol and ammonia, Clorox contains bleach for two examples. If your cats have a normal sense of smell (for them), they will avoid these compounds naturally if they are in sufficient concentration to be harmful. Murphy's Soaps, Dr. Bonner's Soaps and similar: Good if used as directed. Not terribly strong which may be a good thing. Petroleum-based waxes (Butcher's Paste Wax, many car-waxes): Keep cats away for at least 12 hours after application to allow the hydrocarbons to evaporate. Or use a water-based product. House Paints (Oil and Latex): Keep cats away during application and for 24 hours until fully cured. True also of all non-water-based caulks, glues, stains and varnishes. Broad-spectrum Pesticides and Chemical Fertilizers: Nearly every one of these compounds is toxic to cats in one way or another and must be used with great caution indoors and out - or not at all if possible. Most of you already know this, of course. Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA Of course it's all perfectly safe for us! |
#4
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Spring Cleaning and Cats
On Mar 11, 8:19*am, dgk wrote:
Of course it's all perfectly safe for us! Last I looked, we don't clean ourselves with our tongues - well, perhaps you do. And some few of us can read - and actually use that skill to read labels. And some fewer of us understand what we are reading. Yet fewer actually follow label directions. Yet fewer again do some basic research before using chemicals. But, we are still most of us somewhat different than our cats who often choose not to read or follow label directions. Perfection is reserved to the deity of one's choice. The rest of us muddle along as best we can and understand that risk is inherent with every activity including breathing. We just don't let it paralyze us or, worse, ruin our fun - and life should be at least that, hopefully a great deal more. Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA |
#5
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Spring Cleaning and Cats
On Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:54:39 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote: On Mar 11, 8:19*am, dgk wrote: Of course it's all perfectly safe for us! Last I looked, we don't clean ourselves with our tongues - well, perhaps you do. And some few of us can read - and actually use that skill to read labels. And some fewer of us understand what we are reading. Yet fewer actually follow label directions. Yet fewer again do some basic research before using chemicals. But, we are still most of us somewhat different than our cats who often choose not to read or follow label directions. Perfection is reserved to the deity of one's choice. The rest of us muddle along as best we can and understand that risk is inherent with every activity including breathing. We just don't let it paralyze us or, worse, ruin our fun - and life should be at least that, hopefully a great deal more. Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA I prefer that other people do the licking. And I can't say that I know the safety of the cleaning stuff but I tend to distrust it. Thus, my house doesn't pass the Spic 'N Span test but Roomba keeps the floor reasonably cat hair free. I'm sure that at least one of the chemicals in my toilet bowl cleaner causes cancer in paramecium. Hmm. SInce cancer is an overgrowth of cells, I suppose a single-celled creature is immune to cancer. Or it becomes twins. |
#6
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Spring Cleaning and Cats
On Mar 12, 8:42*am, dgk wrote:
Hmm. SInce cancer is an overgrowth of cells, I suppose a single-celled creature is immune to cancer. Or it becomes twins. There is a school of thought that has some considerable merit that suggests that as cancer is an accretion of mutated cells, complex life forms such as people represent what happens when one-celled life forms become cancerous. There is a Charles Addams cartoon - two amoebas at the bottom of the last ocean after a nuclear holocaust deciding whether to get together to start over. One says to the other: OK, only this time, no brains. Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA |
#7
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Spring Cleaning and Cats
On Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:20:22 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote: On Mar 12, 8:42*am, dgk wrote: Hmm. SInce cancer is an overgrowth of cells, I suppose a single-celled creature is immune to cancer. Or it becomes twins. There is a school of thought that has some considerable merit that suggests that as cancer is an accretion of mutated cells, complex life forms such as people represent what happens when one-celled life forms become cancerous. There is a Charles Addams cartoon - two amoebas at the bottom of the last ocean after a nuclear holocaust deciding whether to get together to start over. One says to the other: OK, only this time, no brains. Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA Great idea. But then who would serve the cats? |
#8
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Spring Cleaning and Cats
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#9
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Spring Cleaning and Cats
"Lynne" wrote that I don't know. By the way, for tubs, sinks, windows, mirrors and some walls, I now use those magic erasers (though I get a store brand). No chemicals needed and they work very well! I LOVE these things. They are magical on matte finish walls. Man! |
#10
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Spring Cleaning and Cats
On Mar 14, 6:22*pm, Lynne wrote:
Thank you for this reminder. *What about Simple Green? *I use this now and assumed it is safe but realized that I don't know. http://www.simplegreen.com/pdfs/09A_..._green_pad.pdf It is safe. But, if you have any doubts about any chemicals or cleaners, MSDS are available by law from the maker - and very nearly all of them are available on-line with just a simple Google Search. Peter Wieck Melrose Park, PA |
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