Health and safety information on household products » Inside home
Inside home
16.12. 2010

 

Glues

  • Most glues are not highly toxic. If they are ingested the main threat is from gluing together of tissue, or blockage of the digestive tract or respiratory system if the substance gets into the oesophagus. Be especially careful with cement construction adhesive, which when diluted with water becomes a strongly basic solution with caustic effects.
  • For example the frequently-used glues based on cyanoacrylate irritate the mucosas of eyes, nose, and mouth, and contact with skin may result in an allergic reaction. Its overall toxicity, however, is very low.
  • Other glues as well – isocyanate, polyvinyl acetate, expoxy – usually have local irritating effects only.
  • Some glues are toxic for water organisms; therefore in gluing aquariums use only glues bought for the purpose at a specialized aquarium supply shop.
  • Most instant glues dry immediately, thus there are few instances of swallowing it. Usually only the oral cavity or skin is affected. The moisture in the mouth of an animal causes any layer of glue to peel off within a few days. For animals that do not sweat it is good to moisten the affected area, and repeatedly wash it with soapy water to get it to peel off faster. With glued-together nostrils, glue in the eyes, or a great quantity of glue ingested, don’t try removing it yourself.
  • With other glues, when giving first aid try to wipe it off the skin and mucous membranes using a damp cloth. 

Modelling materials, paints:

  • Paints for everyday household crafts are non-toxic, and they are usually tested as products suitable for use around children. Their main effects are irritation of mucosas, nausea, and possibly vomiting if ingested in large quantities. In giving first aid, give water to the animal in order to dilute the substance, or upon consultation with veterinarian, give it activated charcoal.
  • However, be careful of special products for professionals; these may contain more or less toxic pigments (composition varies, so there is no room here to describe all the types of effects), thinners and solvents (affect state of consciousness), etc. Chemicals used for some art techniques, for example acid etching, may also be acidic. Here again get the animal to drink to dilute the chemical. Do not induce vomiting, and give the animal activated charcoal only if you are sure that the ingested substance is not caustic.
  • Modelling materials, especially home-produced modelling clay, or products such as play-dough, contain a great amount of kitchen salt, which is toxic in large doses and lead to the disruption of the organism’s ion balance, oedema or swelling, and later to neurological symptoms and sometimes even death of the animal. Begin first aid by inducing vomiting, provided the animal is conscious and shows no neurological symptoms. Then the animal can be given water, but GRADUALLY and in SMALL AMOUNTS – just a few gulps every hour.

Air freshener, scents, perfume, deodorants

  • Because of their intense scent and irritating taste these are seldom eaten by animals. The harshness of the concentrated essences can produce irritation of the mucous membranes, sneezing, salivation, and vomiting.
  • Perfumes, eau de toilette, and aftershave contain mainly alcohol (50-95 % of volume), which may affect the consciousness of the animal.
  • First aid consists of giving the animal larger amounts of water to dilute the substance; here we can try to administer activated charcoal (which does not neutralize the alcohol, but may absorb down some of the irritating fragrant substances). 

Wax, candles, lamp oil:

  • Classic wax or gel candles are not toxic. The pigments and scents they contain may prove irritating and cause itching or burning of mucous membranes, and vomiting if ingested. The paraffin wax in candles is dangerous when being vomited, as it could be inhaled and lead to the development of so-called aspiration pneumonia.
  • Lamp oil is an organic solvent. These substances commonly suppress the activity of nervous tissue and may thus bring about unconsciousness. In giving first aid do not induce vomiting; if the solvent gets into the lungs it will result in inflammation. Activated charcoal does not help; it does not absorb these substances. Do not give the animal any fats, and do not give milk to the affected animal.

Bleach:

  • These are mainly spot removers for textiles.
  • The main toxic substances in these preparations are hydrogen peroxide or sodium hypochlorite; or it can be some detergent additive.
  • These preparations can prove irritating in large doses, and are caustic to skin and mucous membranes.
  • Give the animal water or milk to drink. Vomiting must not be induced as first aid because of risk of tearing the burnt mucous membranes or inhalation of foam. Feeding them activated charcoal is without effect; these substances are not absorbed.

Disinfectants:

  • Usually contain quaternary ammonia compounds, but can also contain acidic substances, lye, sodium hypochlorite, and others.
  • These substances cause irritation or burning of mucous membranes (for example eyes), skin, and breaks in the skin; if they get into the bloodstream they can produce neurological symptoms (general weakness, muscle spasms, cramps, disorientation). Additive substances are often strongly caustic.
  • In giving first aid, vomiting must not be induced. Give the animal water or milk, and activated charcoal may also be tried (after consultation with veterinarian; otherwise activated charcoal is not given as a remedy for caustics, but generally these substances interact little with them).

Detergents (dishwashing products, laundry soap, etc.), shampoos, etc.:

  • These products contain either the salts of higher fatty acids (classic soap), or various types of tenzides/detergents (liquid soap, shampoos, cleaning liquids, etc.). Classic soap and some tenzides may form basic solutions and in higher concentrations may take on caustic properties.
  • These substance may irritate mucous membranes (eyes, mouth) and the digestive tract and lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and thus to ion loss and dehydration. Vomiting is dangerous because of possible inhalation of foam into the respiratory system and the development of so-called aspiration pneumonia.
  • Do not induce vomiting as part of first aid. The animal may be given water or milk to drink; you can also try giving it activated charcoal, but this is usually without effect, as these substances do not react with one another to any significant degree.

Toothpaste and dental hygiene products:

  • These preparations contain detergents; whitening toothpaste contains small amounts of bleach; and mouthwash often contains alcohol. Care must be taken with products made especially to whiten teeth; the products are commonly based on hydrogen peroxide, and the same rules of thumb apply as with other whiteners. Adhesive paste for dentures also contains glue, but gluing together of tissue occurs very rarely.
  • Detergents may irritate the digestive system and lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and thus to ion loss and dehydration. Vomiting is dangerous because of the possibility of inhaling foam into the respiratory system, and the development of so-called aspiration pneumonia. Alcohol affect the animal’s consciousness.
  • Do not induce vomiting as part of first aid. Activated charcoal is also useless, as these substances do not react with one another to any significant degree.

Hair dyes:

  • These preparations often contain hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. Pigments (dyes), and the substances that bind the dyes to the hair, may cause an allergic reaction.
  • Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia cause irritation of mucous membranes and skin, their breaks in the tissue, and lesions. When ingested and taken into the bloodstream, ammonia can produce neurological symptoms. 
  • Do not induce vomiting as part of first aid. Give the animal a small amount of water or milk to dilute the substance. It is usually useless to give the animal activated charcoal, as these substances do not react to any significant degree. 

Cleaning products for furniture and floor

  1. Furniture polish very often contains organic solvents. Floor cleaners are based on soap or detergent solutions.
  2. Detergents may irritate the digestive tract, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, ion loss and dehydration. Vomiting is dangerous as foam may be inhaled, leading to the development of so-called aspiration pneumonia. Organic solvents usually suppress the activity of nerve tissues, which can lead to unconsciousness. These substances are often toxic to the liver.
  3. In giving first aid, do not induce vomiting; if the solvent or foam gets into the lungs, it may cause an infection. Ingesting of activated charcoal is without effect; these substances do not react with one another to any significant extent. If organic solvents are ingested, than the animal must not be given any kind of fats, and do not give milk to the affected animal.

Cleaning products for bathroom and toilet:

  • The most common main substance in these preparations is sodium hypochlorite, usually combined with acids.
  • These preparations cause irritation and lesions to skin and mucous membranes.
  • Do not induce vomiting when giving first aid. Activated charcoal is without effect; these substances do not react with one another.

Cleaning products for windows and mirrors:

  • These preparations contain small amounts of detergents and larger amounts of alcohol.
  • Detergents may irritate the digestive tract and lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and ion loss and dehydration. Vomiting is dangerous because of the possibility of inhaling foam into the respiratory system and the development of so-called aspiration pneumonia. Alcohol influences the consciousness of the animal.
  • Do not induce vomiting as part of first aid. Activated charcoal is usually without effect; these substances do not react to a significant degree.

Cleaning products for grills, pipe cleaners:

  • These preparations are usually composed of hydroxides (lye).
  • These preparations cause irritation and lesions to skin and mucous membranes. Warning, compared to acids the onset of the effect may be slower, but the damage to the tissue deeper.
  • Vomiting must not be induced as part of first aid. Ingestion of activated charcoal is without effect; these substances do not react.

Cleaning and care products for shoes:

  • Most of these preparations contain turpentine, organic solvents, pigment, and also ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.
  • Preparations based on organic solvents and turpentine often suppress the activity of nerve tissue, and may lead to unconsciousness. Pigment and some additive substances may irritate skin and mucous membranes. Do not induce vomiting in giving first aid; if the solvent gets into the lungs it will become infected. Ingesting activated charcoal is useless; these substances do not react. Absolutely do not feed the animal any fats, and do not give milk to the affected animal either.
  • Ethylene glycol is sweet to the taste, which is why animals so often eat it. It affects the nervous system and may cause serious kidney damage. Propylene glycol is generally non-toxic. In giving first aid in the case of ingesting of ethylene glycol, we give the animal alcohol – pure distillate – caution: no more than 10 ml: the concentration of ethylene glycol in shoe care products is not high; and in case of alcohol overdose unconsciousness may occur. Animals that refuse to drink pure alcohol even administered to mouth by syringe, may be given up to 50 ml of beer to drink, depending on the weight of the animal.

Anti-moth products:

  • Contain naphthalene or dichlorobenzene
  • Naphthalene irritates the digestive system, leading to vomiting. After ingestion it causes damage to the blood’s haemoglobin and inhibits the transfer of oxygen to the blood. It also causes damage to liver and kidneys. A typical symptom is heavy breathing by the patient, and pale mucous membranes. In first aid given shortly after ingestion we can induce vomiting and give the animal activated charcoal.
  • Dichlorobenzene is an insecticide, and is very toxic. It causes permanent irritation to the nerves and muscles, leading to salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, trembling, and cramps. Again, in giving first aid induce vomiting and give the animal activated charcoal, provided it is caught shortly after ingestion. 

Fertilizers and sprays for house plants:

  • Fertilizer – Most often these are preparations based on minerals and ions. These substances are usually dangerous only in larger quantities.
  • Ingestion leads to irritation of digestive tract, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The ion balance of the organism may also be disrupted. This may lead to swelling, affect coronary activity, and affect the brain, leading to cramps; while nitrates inhibit oxygen transfer to the organism, which can result in asphyxiation.
  • For first aid, give the animal crushed activated charcoal.
  • Sprays – more on the section garden, nature, outdoors - insecticides

Artificial sweetener xylitol:

  • This is very often used in the food industry; it is part of various sweets, candy, and chewing gum. In dogs it stimulates the pancreas, which introduces a great amount of insulin into the blood, causing a sharp drop in levels of blood sugar. In a matter of minutes symptoms appear such as weakness, loss of coordination, collapse, and sometimes cramps.
  • If the animal is conscious, administer first aid by inducing vomiting, and then give the animal activated charcoal, but only within the first few minutes, as the substance is absorbed quickly. After that a few sugar cubes can be fed to the animal, or a sugar solution squirted into its mouth by syringe.

Grapes and raisins:

  • These foods commonly eaten by people are toxic to some animals; the dangerous effects have been proven among dogs, and are expected to prove true for cats. Never give your dog or cat raisins or grapes as goodies!
  • Their degree of toxicity depends on the individual’s sensitivity and its genetic makeup; not all dogs find raisins toxic. Nevertheless, for sensitive individuals (and for now we cannot determine which ones those are) their ingesting is dangerous, resulting in rapid kidney failure and often the death of the animal. Symptoms are thirst, vomiting, cramps, later partial or complete failure to excrete urine.
  • The substances in grapes and raisings take longer to be digested; therefore in giving first aid vomiting may be induced up to an hour after ingestion, and then give the animal activated charcoal.

Medicines:

  • In the household there can be a broad spectrum of various medicaments that an animal may ingest by accident (usually the medicines of the owner); or it can be given an overdose (of medicines given to the animal). Their effects are broadly ranging; we lack the room here to give precise information on all the symptoms which may occur.
  • First aid consists of inducing vomiting – if it is caught shortly after ingestion, and if the animal is fully conscious. Then we feed the animal several crushed tablets of activated charcoal, which we dissolve in water, and introduce into the animal’s mouth by syringe. The size of the dose of charcoal depends on the size of the animal (for household pets 2-5 tablets).
  • In the case of poisoning by medicine the negligence or carelessness of the owner is always at fault; therefore prevention must be emphasized: 1) give the animal only those medicines intended for that species! 2) observe absolutely the doses given on the container or recommended by a veterinary doctor. 3) store all medicines out of reach of animals, in a dry place – not in the bathroom (risk of dampness and decay of medicine, possibly into toxic products). 4) be careful of the purses of visitors; practically every purse contains medicine of some kind, headache medicine for example, which are very dangerous for dogs and cats.

Tobacco:

  • Never leave cigarettes within reach of an animal – on the table, in an open purse, etc.!
  • Tobacco and tobacco products contain the alkaloid nicotine. This is a potent nerve poison. Nicotine is immediately absorbed by the skin, lungs, and stomach.
  • Inhalation of smoke has the same consequences for animals as passive smoking does with people.
  • Ingesting tobacco or spraying of the skin by tobacco solution leads to rapid poisoning, typically heightened stimulation of the nerve and muscle tissue. Common symptoms are salivation, vomiting, nausea, sweating, muscle spasms and cramps, and death as a result of paralysis of the breathing centre in the brain.
  • A fatal dose for ingestion or inhalation in one incident is about 5 cigarettes for an adult person (non-smoker), for domestic animals one cigarette can be fatal.
  • In giving first aid, the animal can be induced to vomit and be given activated charcoal, provided cramps have not yet set in, or the consciousness has not been affected. Unfortunately most cases end in the death of the animal in less than an hour.

Poisonous plants:

  • It is important to quickly determine which plant the animal has ingested.
  • Seek the advice of an expert – it is good to have reliable contacts with someone who knows plants. If you have no such contacts, call your veterinarian, the department of toxicology at the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences or the Toxicology Information Centre, which will advise you whom to turn to, or in simpler cases to identify the plant themselves.
  • If the condition of the animal is serious, or you even suspect that the ingested plant is poisonous, and seek the help of a veterinarian, take with you a sample of the plant (with flowers or fruit if possible, which will help identify the plant more easily).
  • As first aid, give the animal several tablets of activated charcoal (crushed and mixed with water or into yogurt, for example); make sure the animal has plenty to drink, and do not stress it with unnecessary movement. If the plant-borne substances cause painful swelling in the oral cavity, ice can be given for the animal to lick.
  • As with all poisoning, the most important thing is prevention, which consists of the following points: 1) when buying any houseplant, find out whether it is poisonous (and because the personnel sometimes are not sufficiently informed, it is better before purchasing to find out the name of the plant and find out about its toxicity in the literature or on the internet). 2) in a household where animals live it is best to avoid keeping any poisonous plants at all (especially if you have cats, that can jump very high). 3) with other kinds of animals, do not place houseplants within reach of the animals. 4) always cultivate a sufficient amount of ordinary grass, sprouted grain, or sedge grass for flat dogs and cats; this will cut down on the chance they will go after other types of plant.