While cleaning the house, many pet owners might be putting their dogs and cats at risk without even realising.
If you use strong cleaning products that contain chemicals or bleach, you could put your pets at risk if you are leaving them with access to the bathroom.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), an animal charity, has warned that pets might try to ingest cleaning products if they are left out.
Protecting pets from cleaning products
The charity has said bleach and other cleaning products can irritate or burn the mouth of your pet or upset their stomach if they swallow it.
In serious cases, it can cause significant injury and might be fatal.
The charity has said owners should practise good habits like closing toilet lids after using cleaning products in them.
The charity said: "Mop buckets should always be emptied and rinsed out to remove any traces of bleach or other chemicals.
"After putting any cleaning product down the toilet, be sure to close the lid so your pet can’t drink from it.
"If you use a toilet block regularly, get into the habit of always putting the toilet lid down and keeping the toilet door closed - this way, your pet has no chance of coming into harm's way."
After cleaning your bathroom, you should close the door while the products dry to prevent pets from trying to ingest them.
Signs your pet might have ingested cleaning products
Your pets might display a range of symptoms after ingesting cleaning products, including ulcers or sore skin on their paws, mouth or tongue, being sick, trouble eating, fatigue, collapsing, and coughing.
They might also be dribbling or foaming at the mouth and be rubbing their face and mouth with their paws.
The PDSA said: "If your pet is displaying one or more of these symptoms, you should ring your vet straight away and give your vet as much information as possible about what your pet may have been exposed to as this will help them to quickly identify the right treatment.
"If you know the exact product, take the packaging with you and hand it to the vet."
Do you have any tips for keeping your pets safe from chemical products? Let us know in the comments.
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