Question:
I read in today's paper about a cat that had to be euthanized, and I want to tell you about my daughter's cats.
She had three beautiful cats that were in good health for years. But then she started using a Swiffer to clean her tile floors, and, after a period of time, the cats became ill and the vet couldn't get them well. Two of the cats had to be put down. The third cat is still with her but has to be fed a special diet in an effort to keep her healthy.
My point is that this cleaning product is not good for animals, especially cats, because they groom and lick themselves all the time. Please tell your readers that cleaners can hurt their pets.
F.L.G., Lake Park, FL May 23, 2010
Answer:
I receive many complaints like yours. Others are about scented products with artificial fragrances that are highly volatile and may be inhaled, as in scented kitty litter. Some balding cats recover when non-scented litter is used. Cats pick up potentially harmful chemicals from those in laundered sheets, household and furniture cleaners, flame-retardant treated carpets and room-diffused and sprayed fragrances.
The FDA is in lock step with big business when it comes to many products, so it's not much help. But we can help our animal companions and ourselves by becoming chemically conscious. Unfortunately, one must often become chemically sensitized before waking up to these health hazards. It is notable that some cleaners do not say what chemicals they are impregnated with. Stick with cleaners that are known to be safe -- such as white vinegar, baking soda and natural products like Orange TKO. Avoid all products that contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds), because cats may be especially prone to develop adverse reactions, as they lack certain liver enzymes to help detoxify such environmental contaminants. I would like to hear from other readers who have resolved pet-health problems by not using certain in-home chemicals.
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