Ask the APCC: The Scoop on Febreze, Please
A vet once warned me that Febreze is not safe to use in the home if you have pets. However, I know many people who do use it. What is the answer to this controversy? I have a 9-year-old cat and do not use Febreze.
—Taylor B.
Good question, Taylor. Contrary to rumors circulating on the Internet alleging that Febreze causes serious illness or death in pets, our veterinary toxicology experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center regard Febreze fabric freshener products to be safe for use in households with pets.
As with any product, it is important that you always follow label instructions for use. However, should your cat accidentally come into contact with Febreze when it is still wet, we would not anticipate problems beyond mild skin irritation (which can occur with any product in animals with sensitive skin) or minor stomach upset, if it is ingested.
More new questions:
- I was always told to give my dog Pepto Bismol for mild vomiting. But a friend recently told me that Pepto Bismol can be toxic to dogs. Is this true?
- Are paintballs toxic to pet birds?
- I occasionally use a carpet deodorizing powder for pet odors when I vacuum the house. My dog isn’t in the room when I use this powder, but is it safe for homes with pets?
—Taylor B.
Good question, Taylor. Contrary to rumors circulating on the Internet alleging that Febreze causes serious illness or death in pets, our veterinary toxicology experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center regard Febreze fabric freshener products to be safe for use in households with pets.
As with any product, it is important that you always follow label instructions for use. However, should your cat accidentally come into contact with Febreze when it is still wet, we would not anticipate problems beyond mild skin irritation (which can occur with any product in animals with sensitive skin) or minor stomach upset, if it is ingested.
More new questions:
- I was always told to give my dog Pepto Bismol for mild vomiting. But a friend recently told me that Pepto Bismol can be toxic to dogs. Is this true?
- Are paintballs toxic to pet birds?
- I occasionally use a carpet deodorizing powder for pet odors when I vacuum the house. My dog isn’t in the room when I use this powder, but is it safe for homes with pets?
posted by ASPCA at 4:45 PM PERMALINK
3 Comments:
My 6 year old Parson Russel suffers from seizures brought on by scented Febreze. She is an obsessive licker so we know she is ingesting this stuff it took us a while to figure out and we stopped using scented Febreze the seizures stopped. Recently we bought some Dryer Sheets with Febreze in them. And once again she had a seizure it has been over 2 years since her last seizure and bringing dryer sheets scented with Febreze back into the house caused it again. I advise anyone that has an obsessive licking dog to not use scented Febreze. We have had good luck with the unscented kind she doesn't find the smell tasty I suppose.
Fabreze can be the cause of some issues in some animals. Two of our cats have allergies, one since a kitten the other began showing signs last year. We have been successful in controlling his symptoms until last week when I vacuumed and sprayed Fabreze on cushions and other 'soft' furniture. Within hours his nose was stuffed with mucus he began sneezeing and having troule breathing. It took three days to clear all symptoms both by Fabreze itself weakening and by us administering Chlortriplon, and suctioning his nose. Never had I seen so much mucus come from such a tiny nose. This is day five and he is doing much better.
I used Febreze in my home for only 2 months and only occasionally, and my cat died and my dog almost died 10 days later after my cat. Proctor and Gamble paid for the necropsy and determined she died of pulmonary adema due to an acute severe allergic reaction. She entered the bathroom after I sprayed Febreze Air Effects, and within 2 hours, she was dead. There is something wrong with the product otherwise so many people would not be coming forward with their stories. If you love your animals, don't use it in your home.
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