Using Disinfectants for Animals During COVID-19

To protect your family from COVID-19, you may have changed the way you clean the surfaces in your home. Disinfectants and other cleaning products are highly resistant to the virus, but they can also be harmful to your four-legged family members.
Here's what you should know about choosing effective products that are safe for your pets and how to use them safely.

Which disinfectants for animals are safe?

When purchasing cleaners to combat COVID-19, make sure they are actually effective. Currently, natural cleaners such as Method, Koh, Honest, and Seventh Generation are not on the list. Homemade mixtures made with ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice and essential oils are ineffective at best and, at worst, are actually as toxic to pets as chemical cleaners.

Bleach, for example, can corrode skin if a cat walks across your kitchen counter while it is still damp after you wipe it down with a diluted bleach solution. It is also harmful if ingested, and the pungent fumes can irritate your pet's eyes and respiratory tract. Use diluted bleach in a well-ventilated area, let it dry completely, and then allow your pet to touch the freshly cleaned surface.

Hydrogen peroxide (3%) is also effective against coronavirus. Use it full strength. It is also milder than bleach and is usually safe to use around animals, but again, it should be used in a well-ventilated area and allowed to dry completely.

Lysol and rosinol both contain phenolic compounds, which can cause respiratory damage and liver failure in animals. Cats are particularly sensitive to it. Phenols are also found in some essential oils. Avoid using products containing phenols around animals. If you must use a product containing phenol on a surface that your pet can reach, you can rinse and dry the surface before letting your pet near it.

Is hand sanitizer toxic to animals?

There are rumors that hand sanitizer contains ethylene glycol, a highly toxic chemical found in antifreeze. This is not true.
Most hand sanitizers are alcohol-based. They usually contain isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, the same form of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Both types of alcohol are relatively harmless if your pet drinks a small amount of the alcohol you use to sanitize your hands.
Even so, it makes sense to let your hands dry before touching your pet and to keep the bottle out of reach. If your pet drinks hand sanitizer, contact your veterinarian.

Best Cleaning Practices

One of the primary ways animals ingest cleaning products is by walking across a wet floor after you mop it and then immediately licking their paws. You can use baby gates, crates and other barriers to keep your pet off the freshly mopped floor until it dries. Open windows and turn on fans to ventilate the area so your pets don't inhale the cleaning vapors as the products evaporate.
Make sure all cleaning products are locked out of reach, especially if you have a new puppy or kitten, or if your pet is prone to mischief. You can use child-safe locks on your cabinets or even rubber bands to secure them to keep your pets out of your supplies.
Be sure to check the product label for warnings and instructions for use around pets. If you are unsure, or if you suspect your pet may have been exposed to a toxic substance, call your veterinarian or the National Animal Poison Control Center.

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