| Do you know what dangers lie under your kitchen | | | | you with a combination of really great cleaning |
| sink? Many of us are unaware that we have a | | | | power but also they're non-toxic, they are |
| virtual toxic waste dump in our kitchen. So many | | | | economic, and they are safe for you, your home, |
| of the soaps, detergents and cleaners that we | | | | and most importantly, the planet." |
| use on a day-to-day basis present a serious | | | | No matter how hard you try, it is still possible that |
| danger to our dogs, cats and other furry friends | | | | your beloved pet comes in contact with |
| (not to mention yourself). | | | | something dangerous to her health. That is why |
| Eighty-one Thousand (81,000) chemicals have | | | | the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty |
| been registered with the EPA in the last 30 years, | | | | to Animals (ASPCA) recommends pet owners |
| and fewer than 20% have been tested for | | | | keep a "Pet First Aid Kit" that includes: |
| toxicity! EPA studies indicate that elevated | | | | - Fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent |
| concentration of household chemicals persist in the | | | | USP (to induce vomiting) |
| air. Long-term exposure to chemicals inside our | | | | - Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine |
| homes may be harmful to our families and our | | | | syringe (to administer peroxide) |
| pets. | | | | - Saline eye solution |
| Has your dog ever tried to lick the dishes after | | | | - Artificial tear gel (to lubricate eyes after flushing) |
| you've rinsed them with liquid soap and water? | | | | - Mild grease-cutting dish-washing liquid (for bathing |
| Does your cat peak into the washing machine | | | | an animal after skin contamination) |
| while your loading it or curl up on the wash fresh | | | | - Forceps (to remove stingers) |
| out of the dryer? Several years ago we had a | | | | - Muzzle (to protect against fear- or |
| cat that loved to jump into the tub right after we | | | | excitement-induced biting) |
| cleaned it and he would try to drink the water left | | | | - Can of your pet's favorite wet food |
| in the tub (we would always shoo him out before | | | | - Pet carrier |
| he got the chance). The behavior of our furry | | | | The ASPCA recommends you always consult a |
| friends, while often cute and endearing, can very | | | | veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center |
| often be dangerous to their well being. Many | | | | (APCC) for directions on how and when to use |
| common household cleaning products contain | | | | any emergency first-aid item. We also suggest |
| chemicals which are dangerous to you, your | | | | that you keep the telephone number of the |
| family and your pet. Some things you can easily | | | | ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center-(888) |
| watch out for: | | | | 426-4435-as well as that of your local veterinarian |
| 1. To protect your pet you should avoid sodium | | | | in a prominent location. More information is |
| hydroxide, commonly known as lye. Found in | | | | available on the ASPCA web site, aspca.org. |
| dish-washing liquids, laundry products, oven | | | | The Pet Poison Helpline handles some 100,000 |
| cleaner, scouring products, and tub & tile | | | | cases of pet poisoning each year. They have |
| cleaners, sodium hydroxide is immediately irritating | | | | compiled a "Poison Proof Your Home" list. It |
| to the respiratory tract if inhaled. Contact can | | | | includes items like:o Identify your plants. Are they |
| cause severe damage to the eyes, skin, mouth, | | | | toxic to pets?o Keep medications safely locked up |
| and throat. It can cause liver and kidney damage | | | | behind cupboard doors. Do not leave them on |
| as well. | | | | counter tops or tables. This includes inhalers, |
| 2. Have you ever sprayed air freshener around | | | | dietary aids, dietary supplements or |
| the litter box or caught your pet drinking from | | | | neutraceuticals!o Keep home fragrance products |
| the toilet bowl? Both can be dangerous to your | | | | beyond their reach.o Keep rodenticides far away |
| pet. Hydrochloric acid is often found in odor | | | | from a pet's access. Keep in mind that rodents |
| eliminators and toilet bowl cleaners. Hydrochloric | | | | can transfer the toxins to accessible locations. |
| acid can cause severe damage to skin. It can be | | | | Certain rodenticide products do not have |
| harmful to health, just by breathing the fumes. If | | | | treatment antidotes.o Know what a product's |
| swallowed hydrochloric acid can be fatal. | | | | active ingredient is and potential toxicity for pets.o |
| 3. Many all-purpose cleaners, cleaning wipes, | | | | Do not spray aerosols or use any heavily |
| de-greasers, floor polish, rug shampoos, toilet bowl | | | | fragranced products (including plug-in products) |
| cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, and window | | | | around caged birds or other caged pets.o Never |
| cleaners contain butyl cellosolve. It can cause | | | | medicate your pets with human products without |
| irritation and tissue damage from inhalation. Butyl | | | | first speaking to a veterinary professional!o Keep |
| cellosolve is so hazardous a person who spends | | | | open dishes of potpourri (liquid or dry form) out |
| just 15 minutes cleaning scale off shower walls | | | | of reach.o Do not use insecticides around your |
| could inhale three times the acute exposure limit. | | | | pet without knowing their toxicological profile. |
| Imagine what harm it can do to your beloved pet. | | | | Read labels and use products only as |
| According to The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet | | | | recommended.o Keep garbage behind closed |
| Care by C. J. Puotinen, accidental exposure to | | | | doors.o Do not allow batteries of any type lying |
| toxic chemicals is the leading cause of death for | | | | around. Dogs enjoy chewing on them which can |
| America's dogs, cats and other pets (pg 323). | | | | result in serious harm if ingested. |
| The Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) | | | | (The complete list may be found at |
| recommends you keep pets away from cleaning | | | | petpoisonhelpline.com). |
| products. Shut them out of the room while | | | | Finally, remember there are a number of food |
| spraying bathroom cleansers, etc. They also | | | | products that are toxic to your pet. Products |
| suggest you close toilet lids to keep pets from | | | | such as chocolate, chewing gum, raisins, grapes, |
| drinking the water. This is very important if you | | | | macadamia nuts, onions, or garlic should never be |
| choose to use automatic chemical tank or bowl | | | | left somewhere that your pet may be tempted |
| treatments. | | | | to take a taste test. Often kitchens may contain |
| To protect your pet you may wish to start using | | | | many toxins to pets such as cigarette and other |
| "Green" products. Sloan Barnett, in her book | | | | nicotine products, coffee grounds, alcoholic |
| Green Goes With Everything, suggests that "A | | | | beverages, moldy dairy products, & chicken |
| green product is one that won't harm you, your | | | | bones. Keep these items in closed cabinets, closed |
| children, your pets, or the environment inside the | | | | refrigerators or in closed trash containers, away |
| house or outside where your waste goes. And it | | | | from the reach of our curious little friends. |
| won't hang around like an unwanted guest after | | | | Have the phone number for your veterinarian |
| you use it - on floors, carpets, counters, clothes, | | | | easily accessible. It's also a good idea to keep the |
| and so forth." | | | | local pet poison control hot-line with your |
| One of the most effective and well known | | | | emergency phone numbers. |
| "Green" product lines is Shaklee's Get Clean. It has | | | | Our pets can provide years of affection and |
| been featured on the Oprah Show and on Rachel | | | | companionship. Take a few minutes today to |
| Rae. Get Clean products are nontoxic, natural and | | | | make your home environment one that is safer |
| never tested on animals. According to Rachel Rae | | | | for your pet. In the long run you will benefit in so |
| the products in the Get Clean starter kit "provide | | | | many ways. |