Ask the APCC: Felines & Fabric Softener
My kitty loves to roll around and play in fabric softener sheets. Could they be harmful to him?
—Monique R.
Potentially yes, Monique. Fabric softener products can contain detergents known as cationics that have the potential to produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, particularly when the sheets haven’t yet been used. These effects include drooling, appetite loss, oral burns and, in some cases, possibly even ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
While dogs and other animals can also be affected, cats are especially sensitive to cationics. As such, we would advise not to let your feline friend play with fabric softener sheets—whether fresh or used.
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posted by ASPCA at 10:34 AM PERMALINK
1 Comments:
I have a 14-year old cat who has never bothered with fabric softener sheets. However, last night he found a used one. He was extremely attracted to it and rubbed his face in it. (I did not know before I read this post that there was any danger it it). Afterward he was very obviously affected by it - he rolled over on his back and let my kitten have his way with him, which is very unusual. He didn't seem uncomfortable, but he definitely seemed (for lack of a better term)-- stoned. Can the cationics cause this? Why was he so attracted to the sheets?
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