Tuesday Tips: Is Your Home Toxic to your Dog?

I have noticed lately that there seems to be more and more dogs getting cancer.  It makes me really sad.  Between people and pets, I think EVERYONE knows someone that has been touched by evil cancer.  Many people change their pets diet when they get diagnosed.  Some people already feed their dog better than they eat with supplements and healthy food.

But  what is going on INSIDE your house.   Have you ever stopped to think about it?

• What kind of cleaner do you use?
• Do you burn paraffin candles?
• Do you use air fresheners?  Sprays?
• What kind of soap do you use to wash your pets blankets in?

These are just a few of the things that you may want to look at:

Cleaners:  Many cleaners contain dangerous chemicals.  You may say “I am not eating them” but think about your dog.  You clean your floor with the chemicals, your dog walks on the floor and then licks his paws.  He has now ingested the chemicals which are not good for him.

Also, your dog has the ability to smell 10,000 – 100,000 more than we do.  So the harsh chemical smell that you smell when cleaning your bathroom is at least 10,000 times worse for your dog!

Solution:  Find more natural alternatives.  There are a lot of “natural” cleaners on the market today.  You can even find them in your local grocery store or Target.  They use natural ingredients that are safe.  You can do a little research on the Environmental Working Group website to find which ones have the highest rating.  You can even make your own with vinegar, baking soda and essential oils or get some other ideas from the Wellness Mama.

Candles:  Did you know that paraffin used in candles are a petroleum product?  You may also want to know that there is a chance that the wick in the candles in your home made of lead! Yikes!  So you may be burning gas and lead in your house when you think you are doing something good for yourself!  Another thing is that the scent may be coming from synthetic oils and dyes instead of healthy essential oils.  Who knew!? Sorry to disappoint you but your dogs health and YOURS is on the line here! Source

Solution:  Buy 100% beeswax, vegetable, hemp or soy candles (although most soy is genetically modified which is a whole other blog post!).  Yes, they are more expensive but not toxic! Make sure the manufacturer doesn’t trick you,  because beeswax is more expensive, sometimes they mix it with paraffin.  Don’t be fooled!  Look for 100% beeswax or keep walking by!  Make sure the wick is not lead, if you are purchasing a beeswax candle, chances are they are not using lead!   Another alternative for some scent in your home is to purchase a diffuser and healthy essential oils.  (we will be doing another blog about those so stay tuned!) 

Air Fresheners:  Do you spray air fresheners in your bathroom?  Kitchen?  Use the plug in type so that your house smells good at all times?  You may want to rethink that idea.  Remember above when we talked about your dogs nose.  What do you think your dog smells?  At least 10,000 times as much as we do plus they are breathing in a lot more than we are as well.  There are formaldehydes, phthalates, and other chemicals that are known to cause disruptions in your endocrine system so what do you think they do to your dog?  The most common one, Airwick is one of the worst that you can buy!   Source

Solution:  You can make your own air fresheners with essential oils or use a diffuser with essential oils.  You can light your new beeswax candle that is scented with essential oils  Or I have a great idea, you can open your windows and get fresh air into your home!  If you want to see how your air freshener rates, check it out HERE and then throw it away!  Your dog will thank you!

Soap:  Do you know that your skin is your largest organ?  So what you put on it is very important!  Most of us wear clothes and what we wash our clothes in is very important especially if you are using the same soap to wash your dogs bedding.  Your dog may be scratching because of the soap that you are using and so may you!  There are so many chemicals in most laundry detergents it is frightening not to mention the chemical scents that they use.  Not only are they bad for your skin, they are bad for the environment when they are washed out to sea!

Solution:  Buy healthier laundry detergents with limited ingredients.  You can find some on this list from the EWG.  You can always make your own!  There are some good ideas on the Mother Earth Living page.

We hope that you learned a few tips that you can change in your home to make it safer for you and your dog!  Remember that the marketing on the front of packaging is just that–marketing!   Always read the ingredients on the back of anything that you buy. THAT will tell you the real story!

Stay tuned for next weeks tips when we will educate you on Essential Oils and what they can do for you and your dog!

Please add any tips that you have in the comments, we would love to hear them!