How to Detox Your Pet’s Environment
Pets are just as susceptible to environmental toxins as humans. In fact, small animals are more at risk due to their small size. Learn how to reduce pet-harming chemicals to make your home as toxin-free and safe as possible so your pet can live a long and healthy life!
Non-Toxic For Your Fur Family
It’s always a good idea to detox your home, especially if you are a parent with little ones crawling around. There are many practical ways to reduce your family’s chemical load that can lessen the impact of harmful toxins. Any chemicals that are passively ingested and harmful to humans are just as toxic to pets.
Since most pets are smaller than humans, their chemical load can actually be quite a bit higher than ours for the same amount of exposure. According to the Environmental Working Group, domestic dogs and cats have been shown to have higher levels of synthetic industrial chemicals in their systems than humans.
Dogs and cats have smaller organs and livers, so it makes it even harder for them to expel any toxins or heavy metals they are exposed to.
Pets are part of our family, so limiting their exposure to harmful toxins that can cause them health issues is important. There are some specific precautions to take inside and outside of your home for your pets that will help them thrive.
Detox Your Pet’s Environment
Once your home is detoxed for your human children, consider these methods to keep your pet’s environment toxin-free. All pets have special considerations to take to detox their environment, depending on what species of pet and their roaming areas.
Food and Water
The food and water your pet consumes can have a host of potential toxins, including the bowls they use. Plastic food bowls pose the same risks for your pets as they do for children. Reduce their small internal organs from exposure to phthalates, BPA, PPFAS, and other chemicals by choosing stainless steel, ceramic, or glass food and water dishes.
Using filtered water will help avoid lead exposure, which is particularly toxic to dogs and cats. Some cats will only drink from running water, an evolutionary response to finding water they can trust. In this case, I recommend this ceramic water fountain with a filter. My cats love it!
There isn’t much you can do to stop a cat from drinking water outdoors, but if you’re bringing your dog on a hike or to a park, bring a water bottle and a silicone pop-up water bowl. This keeps them hydrated without risking an outside water source with who-knows-what in it.
A high-fiber diet is a great way to support your pet’s system in releasing toxins. A healthy gut is a good place to start detoxing your dog or cat for anything they are exposed to. Make sure to look for BPA-free food cans. I like the Blue Buffalo brand, but there are many options to find what works for your pet.
Also, be aware that some human foods are toxic to pets. Cooking food for your cat or dog can be a healthy option, but before you scrape your leftovers into their food bowl, look at this list.
All dogs, cats, and birds should avoid:
- Chocolate (especially dark chocolate)
- Caffeine
- Coffee
- Citrus (in large amounts)
- Grapes and raisins
- Coconut oil & coconut water
- Dairy
- Nuts
- Onions, garlic, chives (in large amounts)
- Meat, eggs, or bones that are raw or undercooked
- Salty snacks (chips, pretzels, etc…)
- Xylitol
Dogs are especially sensitive to macadamia nuts. Birds shouldn’t eat avocado. You can find a more detailed food list from the ASPCA here.
Make Your Home Safe for Pets
Prepare your home inside and out to pet-proof and detox any areas they’ll hang out in.
Indoor Pet Detox
As we recommended for adults, children, and the environment, it’s important to use non-toxic house cleaners, pet shampoos, cat litter, and other products.
Harsh chemicals can cause just as many health problems in the short and long term of a pet’s life as it does humans.
Indoor air quality can be a concern for animals and people. Running an Ultra HEPA and carbon filter air purifier like the AIRDoctor can protect the whole family from indoor pollutants and off-gassing fumes. It can also help any family members who might be sensitive to pet dander.
Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, some cold and flu medications, joint rubs, and prescription antidepressants are all toxic to dogs. Make sure to keep these out of reach, especially if your pup has a propensity to eat random things.
Some house plants are toxic to dogs and cats, so keep their area free from jade plants and poinsettias.
Fire starter logs are toxic to all pets, so avoid using them in a fireplace or a fire pit. Birds, in particular, are sensitive to airborne toxins; many can immediately kill or make them sick.
If you have a pet bird, avoid aerosols such as harsh cleaning agents, hairsprays, air fresheners, insecticide sprays, or perfumes. Fumes from non-stick pans are known to be toxic to birds, along with smoke, glue, and paint fumes.
Outdoor Pet Detox
Some common outdoor plants are poisonous to pets, although not toxic to the environment. If you have a pet that hangs out in your backyard, it’s best to avoid planting sago palms, tulips, azaleas, or lilies. Consult this plant list for different animals before you plant.
Avoid using cocoa bean mulch in your yard, and use pet-safe pest and weed control methods only. Outdoor toxins, such as pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and slug bait, are easy for curious pets to ingest accidentally.
Lawn and Yard Care
A study published in Science of the Total Environment showed that lawn chemicals in dog urine are pervasive, even in dogs whose home lawns don’t use lawn chemicals. This means that dogs are exposed to chemicals in other yards or green spaces.
This is a concern for all dogs because lawn chemicals can increase the risk of bladder cancer by four to seven times in some breeds. Exposed dogs can also carry chemicals on their fur to their home, human family members, and other pets.
The best way to minimize a dog’s exposure to lawn chemicals is to avoid using them and watch for those little application signs in other yards that disclose chemical use. Avoid letting your dog go in those yards.
If you have hired a lawn maintenance company, talk with them specifically about the chemicals they use. If they don’t have nontoxic versions, it’s time to break up with your provider. Your pet is a member of the family, and their health is more important than having the greenest lawn on the block.
What’s best for the environment is also best for humans and animals. Using natural weed control methods and non-toxic pest control methods is best for everyone involved.
Pet Detox Basics
Just as you would for your children, ensure no mold in the home, flame retardants, or access to heavy metals (especially lead) for your pets.
Lead is particularly a risk for birds. It is common in old bird cages, stained glass windows, and old paint. Think twice before using Great Aunt Bessie’s vintage bird cage, and if your home has a lead paint risk make sure your bird doesn’t pick, and there is no paint dust or flakes around.
Pets lay on the floor and are generally closer to the floor than humans, so consider using natural rugs free of flame retardants or other off-gassing chemical compounds.
The toxin regulations for children’s toys do not apply to animal toys. Many tennis balls contain lead, and many toys have plastic and other possible toxins. Look for pet toys that are vinyl or fabric since they are likely to be chewed in the animal’s mouth and sometimes leave bits around your house.
Wool dog chewers, natural rope, or this natural cat scratcher and chasing toy are all good options! There are some great options for non-toxic dog beds. Here is a great list. I love this cat bed, too.
Holistic Pet Detox
If you are interested in helping your pet detox its system, a wonderful place to start is with plenty of exercise. Dogs and cats get rid of toxins through their skin, so keeping up with their brushing and fur maintenance can help, too.
Ask your vet about giving a liver support supplement such as milk thistle or a detox support supplement. These books have a more in-depth perspective that may help you detox your pet’s system:
Your fur and feather family will thank you for giving them a safe, relaxed, and toxin-free home! Detoxing your pet’s environment and supporting their systems to expel toxins will give them better health overall and help them heal quickly.
Find more on keeping a healthy home with pets:
How to Reduce Pet Dander in the Home
Eco-Friendly Pet Toys & Gifts