there are some that are not egregiously expensive. There are many hazardous chemicals and dangerous items in the average household. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. MmJkODk4N2U5MjlkYTI3YWM5ZWQ4Yjc3ODAwM2I1NDg0MzRkMzMwN2VkYWU5 You should still call your vet and consult with them to be safe. Within 20 angry, distrustful minutes he had vomited his entire stomach contents into the bathtub. MzIxYzJlMzI2NmNjNDljNWQ0ODc4ODI3YTYzMDJhZTFmYjI2ODQ1OWY2OTYx Cat is trying to initiate play when the other is using the litter box. OGI0Yjk1NTMyMTgwZTA3MTJjYzIxMmYzODFhYjI0NDMxZWY2NDRhZmI0MTk2 Your cat is extremely sensitive to chemicals, to begin with, and the chemicals in your average dryer sheet are no exception. 4. Fabric softeners are formulated with various proprietary chemicals that fall into these categories. A blockage in the GI tract can lead to serious illness and even death. That's why you should keep clean laundry out of reach and dispose of used dryer sheets in a place where your cat can't find them. That's why you should keep clean laundry out of reach and dispose of used dryer sheets in a place where your cat can't find them. MzQ1ODVlYWNhMzFjOWZiYzVkYzFhNjlhNDZhMDJhNjEwMDY2YTIzYjBjYWY1 People with pets like dogs or cats may have noticed that their little friends like to play with dryer sheets that they find in the laundry room, a laundry basket or just generally floating around the house or apartment. NmExZjVmYWI5MDA4ZjU2ZmFmNzZhZjNlOGUxMzIyZDJlYTM2NTkxYzNiMmNm Dryer sheets and fabric softeners usually contain harsh chemicals called cationic surfactants. Ingesting fabric softener can be dangerous for cats, as it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. My sweet boy Frankie passed away this morning from ingesting dryer sheets. This helps us offset the costs of running this site, so thank you for your support! 16. ozzie510 1 day ago. Follow these tips to keep your cats safe in the laundry room: Dryer sheets can be harmful to cats if they come into contact with the animals skin. Tward425 2 days ago. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns against corrosive tissue injury it claims is caused by cationics -- particularly for cats due to their grooming habits. The chemicals coat fabrics to reduce static cling and soften their texture. Among these are fabric softeners, both in dryer sheets and liquid formulation. N2MyOWVkZTJkYzU3OTNjYzkzNmM4ZGJhYjU0ZGM3ZjgwNmNmNTQ4OWU5M2Yx These chemicals can be harmful to both animals and humans if ingested in sufficient quantities. Don't use fabric softeners on your cats bedding as the residual chemicals can still cause problems. When people come round she jumps on your knee and licks away leaving a big sopping wet area. Ive heard conflicting answers all over the web some say its dangerous others say there nothing left in the dryer sheet after its used and it might be the animal fat in them. I don't know if they like it for a chemical reason or just because it's fun but if they're unsafe, keep them out of reach! Jenna Stregowski is the Pet Health and Behavior Editor for. Has anyone else had this happen? 180 Count (Pack of 1) 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,474. . In serious cases, the ingestion of these harmful chemicals can lead to organ damage or central nervous system depression. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. When clicking a link here and buying, we may be able to make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. YWYxNjZjN2I1MGYyZWZlN2JmZDc4ZWYwY2Y5ZmE2YWRmNDE5ZDk4N2ZkODRj Curiosity. Try to bring the fabric softener packaging so your vet can determine exactly what your cat ate. Armstrong grew up on a dairy farm in western Washington and wrote agricultural news while in college. YjJhYzFlZWE4MjY5ZDRkMTkzYjVmM2U4N2MwZWEyOTg5OGRkNjM5NGIzNmMw However, that is not the case, and well discuss the dangers of dryer sheets and how to prevent your beloved feline from consuming them. Many cats love to snuggle up in warm, clean laundry, where they might find a random dryer sheet to lick or eat. NmQ2NmI2ODQ1MjhkNDY2OTgyMDAyYmU1ZTJiOTg0YmE1MzljMzlhNzlmYzk4 Whatever the reason, if your cat is attracted to dryer sheets, be sure to keep them out of reach. This is a myth! YTY5YTZmNjJhNTQ2YmIyNjUzYmYxMmRiYzViNTA3YTYwMWQ4Yzk4OTgwNTI4 Cats love to bury themselves under recently dried clothing, towels and blankets in an effort to soak up the heat. Patricia is also a published author under the pen name Skylar McKinzie. TheCatSite.com is a community of cat lovers dedicated to quality cat care and cat welfare. Curious cats and kittens can get into all kinds of inappropriate items around the house. You should never use dryer sheets when drying a cat bed (or any pet bedding for that matter). NmIzMGNlNWJiZDU5NzM1ZmQzYTRiODMzOGE1NjhkYTQ5Y2VmMTY2ZDdkYTJk Certain cat breeds, such as the Siamese and other Oriental cats, will be more inclined to lick fabric. 13. It could just be a habit ,or it could be Pica. and our These procedures can increase the risks to your cat's health. OTU2OTZkODQ0MWNkZDI1OTRhMTQzMmEyMzcwMWVmZmIxMGFiZjY4ZjU2OGYy Note: If you click some of the links or pictures in this article we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. MzhlMTQyNDQ0ZWVhM2UyZDg5M2ZkNWJjNDc0YjQ3YjBjMDkwN2I2YmIyMTZk Customer: My cat Cyrus, about an hour ago, licked a dryer sheet once before I had him shoo off so I could grab it and throw it out. The chemicals in dryer sheets can cause skin irritation if they come into direct contact with your pets skin. Depending on the situation, your vet may recommend you bring your cat into the animal hospital for treatment. Pets are a part of the family and as such pet owners like to take care and precautions with them. What You Need to Know! Your vet may need to get in touch with animal poison control to find out more about the toxicity of that specific brand. Well fabric softener liquid even they like i spilled some and thought I cleaned it all up funny thing with black light what you see. 8 Reasons for This Behavior, Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? The chemicals and detergents in dryer sheets are harmful to dogs in large quantities or with prolonged exposure. Ran to the store to buy hydrogen peroxide, asked the nice lady at the pharmacy for an oral syringe, came home and administered 12 mL (he's a big boy!) Skin irritation can occur as well. In serious cases, the ingestion of these harmful chemicals can lead to organ damage or central nervous system depression. Whether you are flying on vacation, My Cat Ate a Dryer Sheet-What Now? The toxic elements easily transfer from foot and body to mouth, which is a more direct and more toxic method of exposure than merely rubbing the dryer sheet against the body, creating exposure through the skin. These chemicals and fragrances may cause skin and respiratory . Your cat might find a random dryer sheet to lick or eat. Essex. Secondly, the chemicals in fabric softeners can cause irritation to the skin, mucous membranes and stomach lining. OTQwMzEzNGIwMmZhYmM4YmVlYWMyMDg4NTAxODkzYjk4MDM2YTY3NDg0MmZl A cat experiencing a negative reaction to dryer sheets should receive prompt veterinary care to prevent the toxic elements from building up in her system, leading to advanced symptomatic conditions such as coma, seizures, muscular weakness and collapse. A bored cat can easily have a ball with a dryer sheet. A blockage in the GI tract can lead to serious illness and even death. The best way to prevent your cat from getting into your dryer sheets is by keeping them locked up. If your cat licks the residue of a dryer sheet off her fur through grooming, she could end up with mouth ulcers, a swollen tongue, or acute stomatitis. the tallow is what attracts them, and that wouldn't be so bad in and of itself, it's the other chemicals that are hazardous. About TheCatSite.com. In addition, most dryer sheets are made from synthetic materials that do not break down easily in the gastrointestinal tract. You should also avoid using fabric softener on any pet bedding, as the chemicals can be transferred to your cats fur and skin. Depending on the situation, your vet may recommend you bring your cat into the animal hospital for treatment. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. NGI5MjQ1OTQ4YTgzZDUwNjczMjUwNDU5NDBhNTU5MjJkYTBkZmE5NTYyMjZj Unravelled them, stretched them out and made the puzzle with the piece I had gotten earlier. I never used dryer sheets before and now I wish I never started using them. YWQ0NmE0NjdlNjlhN2EwZDUwNzcyNGEwZjQ2ZGFiMWY2NzkzZGQ1YTBkNTdh Fever and elevated white blood cell counts are signs the exposure poses more advanced health risks. Definitive proof as to why my cat is stoned from a dryer sheet? Merck outlines the use of fluid therapy and activated charcoal to combat the toxic effects of cationics. I advise everyone to keep dryer sheets away from your pets. Dryer sheets are not meant to be wiped on animals. Also, a cat that eats a dryer sheet ingestion may develop gastrointestinal obstruction. I was woken up in the middle of the night by my cat playing with a used dryer sheet. ODViY2E1OTE4NjhiMjU5Y2U3ODU5MmFlMTdiZTFmOWJhNGUwNmMxMTA4ZTU0 I'm really worried if he's going to get sick from this. -----END REPORT-----. either make sure they're never in the cat's reach, or you can buy vegan-approved sheets that are made with plant products. Thank you for the warning, we can all be more careful and I never knew these could be an issue. Fact or Myth Dryer Sheets Can Be Wiped on A Cat (or Dog) to Remove Loose Fur, Fact or Myth Dryer Sheets Can Be Wiped on Furniture to Remove Loose Fur. Here are the signs that may indicate your cat consumed a dry sheet. 8 Reasons for This Behavior. Kidney failure is also one of the problems that can occur after ingestion of dryer sheet chemicals. N2FmZGY0ZjU2ZjU5ZGY0YTRiNzRjZGMxYTA5YzNmYjdiZTgzOWE2NzJjNGU0 We all know that cats can get into anything, even stuff we thought we had put out of their reach. Well, I know that they definitely have animal fat in them (one of my sisters is vegan, and she can't use them) which may explain the attraction - unless your cat just likes being static free! orally. YzYwMmFkOTdiM2YxOTE2MmIxMjBjNzU5YjUxMzdlZWI2ZWY2NjRjMDM3MTBi In concentrated amounts, the damage may be serious and appear as burns or ulcers. However, dryer sheets can be a big problem with pets. Should I Use Dryer Sheets when Drying a Cat Bed? N2E5NzA5MDEzOTE1NTJhNDU3OTA5MTQ5NjE4ODRhZGM1MzI5ZGI4Y2UzN2U4 Laundry dryer sheets contain fragrances and chemicals to soften your clothes and reduce static electricity. The best way to prevent cats from eating dryer sheets is to keep them out of reach. By the time you put the clothes in the dryer, they all have clumps of fur sticking to them, but they are small due to the water. Yes I read that then I read another report on about I think it was that said it was ok. Dr. Harrison is part of The Spruce Pets veterinary review board. If you must use fabric softener on pet bedding, be sure to use a pet-friendly product. ZGM1MDExOTQ1YzBlMGNiNzcwNzk0NzkxYzRlYjI2ODk4NGRjNDJlZTUxYzE0 ZGE0ZTY4N2IxYjljOWE5ODE3MjA3MDVlODRlOTFiZWNiZjc1OTZhMTM1ZmU3 ZTFlMDYwMGQ2NTM0NDZhYTE4NWEyNmVhMTQ2ODI0ZjU0MmNlNjBlOWVlNDgx This is because your blanket carries your scent, making her feel safe and secure. The main chemicals in liquid fabric softeners that can be harmful to cats are the same that are harmful in dryer sheets, namely, cationic surfactants, fragrances, and enzymes. It is best to keep your cat from bonding with your clean laundry by closing the door to the laundry room or the area in which you are sorting and folding laundry. Its best to keep the laundry door closed to keep your cat from entering at all times. Dr. Bartley Harrison is a veterinarian with more than 15 years of professional veterinary experience treating dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, and small mammals, with a specific focus on Emergency Medicine. No. What to Do if Your Cat Eats Fabric Softener, 10 Reasons Why Cats Make Better Pets Than Dogs. He was in a lot of pain before he passed on. Unused dryer sheets are definitely a greater threat since they still carry most of these chemicals, but even used ones are a problem. Kidney failure is also one of the problems that can occur after ingestion of dryer sheet chemicals as are stomach and intestinal blockage. The same paws that play with the dryer sheet are the ones kitty licks and brushes across her fur when primping. The blogs listed the following ingredients as toxic components of dryer sheets: Alpha-Terpineol, Benzyl acetate, Benzyl alcohol, Chloroform, Ethanol, Ethyl Acetate, Linalool, and Pentane. MTM3NGYzYmFhNTFlYjJjOGRkOTc5MzBiOGY4MjQwMzhmZjJiMmJkZGViYzIy The most common chemicals they contain are benzalkonium chloride and cetrimonium bromide, which are known as cationic surfactants. All the cats I have ever had love to play with dryer sheets. He shredded it so whatever he did manage to eat is in small pieces. Even though these pet owners do mean well, the dryer sheets, new or used, can cause your dog or cat to become ill or even die. Gather all the details to share with the vet, such as the brand of the chemical, the time your cat ate it, approximately how much was eaten. These chemicals are in high concentrations that are released in the dryer. OGFmNDEyMzcyNzgzZmZhZjhjNmJhODY1MDNkNDVmMzcwYTIyM2U1ZWExNzQ5 So if your cat ate a dryer sheet, its best to call your veterinarian just to be sure shes okay.