Here’s a common complaint we hear: My pet is sick and my vet can’t figure out why. Many times, it’s not his fault! They are trained to treat symptoms that stem from what is likely to be a temporary condition; in no way can they effectively treat constant health threats like household cleaners or air fresheners.
Health threats? Yes, the same products you use to clean your home and freshen the air can make your pets sick—really sick! Think about it: Household cleaning products and air fresheners are made with chemicals or a combination of chemicals. Most labels tell us that they are harmful if swallowed, or if they come in contact with eyes, open cuts… Okay, unlikely to happen, but what about constant exposure to their vapors? Illnesses like frequent headaches, loss of energy, dizziness can be attributed to the inhalation of toxic chemicals. Individually, they “may” be safe, but in most homes pets are being bombarded. “How much exposure is too much?”
Even if you have never experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above, what about your pets? Their exposure is 5-7 times greater than yours. Keep in mind that your pet’s nose is thousands of times more sensitive than yours, and that one of our years is equivalent to 5-7 of theirs! Unfortunately, they can’t say “Hey, something’s burning my eyes, nose, mouth or paws!” or “I suddenly don’t feel well!” Your likely reaction is to move to a different resting place or to sleep more than usual.
Household cleaners can be very toxic, but the trend is to use a more concentrated cleaner for areas your pet frequents in an effort to protect your pet and your family. People who can’t keep up with pet odor often place various air fresheners near their pets’ bedding and resting places. When they do finally get down to cleaning, they are much more likely to use highly concentrated products.
Imagine that you are your pet. It spends most of its life in the home at ground level, where the fumes and germs are most concentrated. Toxic chemicals used in cleaners, disinfectants, and air fresheners can burn your lungs and eyes. They can cause the pads of the feet to burn. In response, your pet licks her pads (often incessantly), not just burning his mouth, he (or she) is ingesting them. This is often an unknown cause of diarrhea, vomiting, and numerous misdiagnoses!
The good news is that you can keep your pet’s areas clean and germ-free without exposing your family or pet to toxic chemicals. I personally use colloidal silver mixed with 3% hydrogen peroxide to disinfect everything that comes into my house. Colloidal silver has many scientifically proven medicinal uses, but it is expensive. You can buy
Relatively inexpensive colloidal silver generating machines are available that will produce all the colloidal silver any family needs. But here’s an inexpensive technique that will give you peace of mind knowing that your areas of concern are germ-free and smelling fresh.
Susan Sumner, a food scientist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, developed a cleaning and sanitizing combination consisting of 3% hydrogen peroxide (available at the drug store) and white vinegar; each was placed in separate spray bottles.
Highly effective In tests conducted on heavily contaminated food and food surfaces, the combined force of the two sprays killed virtually all Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli bacteria, making this spray combination most effective at killing these bacteria potentially lethal than chlorine bleach or any commercially available kitchen cleaner!
The best results were obtained by using one spray right after the other; Together, they were ten times more effective than using the spray alone or mixing the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in a single spray.
When cleaning fruits or vegetables, spray liberally with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, leave for 2 minutes, and then rinse with running water, preferably filtered, alkalized, or purified. Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide can be applied first. It leaves no aftertaste or toxic residue.
Buying in bulk saves money. Gallon jugs of concentrated hydrogen peroxide are available at beauty supply stores, but must be handled with gloves and carefully diluted with distilled water. Exact measurements are very important to achieve the proper 3% dilution. If you do a gallon at a time, you can use some to mop floors, put some in a spray bottle to sanitize food and water bowls, litter boxes, air conditioning, bathroom fixtures, kitchen handles, doors, countertops, sponges, fruits and vegetables, cutting boards, sponges, bedding, walls, remotes, cell phones… Fill another spray bottle with white vinegar to use as a cleaner.
The burning question (no pun intended) is “Why are we moving away from cheap, basic, safe and effective cleaners and replacing them with potentially harmful commercial household cleaners and air fresheners?” Clearly Madison Avenue is very good at what it does, but at whose expense?
Author: Robert Hart, Vice President of Vitality Science. His articles have been published in Fido Friendly, Natural Awakenings, plus numerous websites and pet newsletters including; Barkley and Paws, Pet Guardian Angels, Truth About Pet Food, Ani-Med, Professors House, Pet Style, and Mystic Pop.
Vitality Science formulates clinically proven, all-natural, treatment-resistant remedies, supplements, and programs for cats and dogs. To view his videos or learn more, visit http://www.vitalityscience.com