15 Supposedly Eco-Friendly DIY Products That Are Toxic for Pets

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We often look for eco friendly DIY products to take care of our homes and planet. Made from natural ingredients, these homemade solutions often seem safer and more affordable than the store bought alternative. But what happens when even the safest & seemingly most harmless products actually hide risks to the best loved creatures on earth – our furry friends?

Don’t be fooled by ‘natural,’ just because it’s natural doesn’t automatically mean it’s pet safe. Just as some DIY ingredients work for humans and some don’t, some are toxic to animals and some aren’t, here are the toxic ones.

Strong Essential Oils Castile Soap

Natural cleaning fans love castile soap for its versatility but some DIY recipes call for adding strong essential oils to increase the soap’s cleaning power. Peppermint and eucalyptus are too high for pets can harm. Use basic castile soap without added oils or pet safe essential oil varieties in small amounts.

Alcohol-Based Sanitizers

DIY hand sanitizers or cleaning sprays can occasionally have alcohol added, but it is extremely toxic to pets. Symptoms of pets who ingest alcohol based products include vomiting, disorientation, and even coma. Be aware where you apply alcohol based cleaners, and never leave areas to dry before pets are around.

Essential Oils Homemade Air Fresheners

DIY air fresheners with essential oils can sound harmless, but not all oils are pet safe. I mentioned that oils like tea tree, citrus and peppermint can seriously affect your pet’s health. Essential oils can be used in air fresheners only in small amounts and only in rooms your pet does not frequent.

Garlic-Based Pest Control

One of the most popular natural pest repellents is garlic, but it’s toxic to dogs and cats. The symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases – anemia, even from small amounts. If you’re using garlic to help control pests, keep pets away from treated areas, and don’t apply garlic directly in your pet’s spaces.

Baking Soda Scrubs

While baking soda is touted as a safe, natural cleaner, it’s not completely safe for pets. Baking soda poses a risk: It can introduce electrolyte imbalances, seizures, heart trouble if you’re ingesting large amounts of it. Pets aren’t likely to eat a baking soda scrub, but it’s smart to keep them out of reach until rinsed away. Baking soda is always best used when thoroughly cleaned, particularly if your pet spends time in the area.

Homemade Mothball Alternatives

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Homemade moth repellents using essential oils, herbs, and other natural ingredients may be just as dangerous as traditional mothballs. Cedar and camphor ingredients can make pets’ stomachs upset, cause seizures or respiratory distress. If you’re experimenting with homemade mothball alternatives, keep them out of areas where pets frequent and always research the ingredients thoroughly.

Bleach Alternatives

Pet owners have no choice but to avoid bleach, so they turn to DIY options, like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Now as mentioned, hydrogen peroxide is dangerous at high doses. Ammonia is another alternative but is also very toxic to pets. If you can, stick with pet safe, non toxic disinfectants and don’t use any mixture that may irritate a sensitive pet nose.

Essential Oil Cleaners

Do Use Essential Oils for Added Benefits — Photo Credit: Pixabay

DIY cleaning solutions employ the use of essential oils because they have pleasant scents and antibacterial properties. However, there are many essential oils that are toxic to pets, particularly to cats. For example, tea tree, eucalyptus and peppermint oils might make their skin irritated, make them develop respiratory issues or even cause damage to their organs, in extreme cases. If you’re determined to use essential oils, choose pet friendly varieties like lavender and use them in well ventilated areas that your pets can avoid.

Vinegar-Based Cleaners

Homemade cleaners often use vinegar because it is a disinfectant. It’s safe to use in small amounts, but because of its strong smell, it can be too much for sensitive animal noses, especially for dogs. Vinegar can burn delicate tissues like a pet’s mouth or esophagus, and if a pet ingests even a small amount, it can have stomach upset. To keep pets safe, consider diluting vinegar more than normal and then wipe down surfaces afterward.

Coffee Grounds and Coffee Based Cleaners

Coffee is a great odor neutralizer but it’s toxic to pets, especially dogs. If you use coffee grounds in scrubs or deodorizing mixtures, pets will be attracted to the strong smell. Symptoms from drinking coffee grounds include restlessness, tremors, and heart arrhythmias. If you have pets, skip coffee based cleaners or make sure they’re stored in a place pets can’t get to it.

Boric Acid Pest Remedies

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Homemade pest control remedies often use boric acid, but if ingested or inhaled, it’s extremely toxic to pets. And if you sprinkle it around common household areas to deter pests, pets can come into contact with the powder. If you don’t want to use chemical, then you can look for pet safe alternatives like diatomaceous earth (food grade only).

Citrus-Based Sprays

Homemade sprays can also be made with citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges, but the oils found in the peels of citrus fruits are toxic to many pets, especially cats. If ingested, the oils can cause vomiting, diarrhea and excessive drooling, and the strong smell can irritate a pet’s respiratory system. Instead of citrus scents, use pet safe scents or essential oils such as lavender or chamomile, but keep areas ventilated and out of pet reach.

Hydrogen Peroxide Mixtures

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This great stain remover and disinfectant poses a big health risk if ingested by pets. Hydrogen peroxide can induce vomiting when advised by a vet, but should never be freely available to pets as it can cause gastrointestinal upset or worse if used incorrectly. Don’t use any hydrogen peroxide until fully dried and in controlled quantities, and keep in areas pets can’t get to.

Salt-Based Cleaners

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Salt is a great abrasive cleaning power but is also dangerous to our pets. Hypernatremia (salt poisoning) — too much salt — can result in vomiting, diarrhea and even tremors. Fleas, mites, and other parasites could live in salted areas, so salt could be attractive to pets — especially the curious dog — to lick. When using salt based scrubs, be careful and make sure to wipe surfaces down thoroughly afterwards.

Borax Solutions

DIY cleaning mixes often include a mineral based ingredient called borax. It’s good at wiping out stains and odors, but it’s poisonous to pets if they ingest it and can cause skin irritation if they come into contact with it. Symptoms of ingestion include drooling, vomiting and severe cases can cause kidney damage. Instead, use of only pet-safe cleaners, or use borax based cleaners on the surfaces that your pet doesn’t have direct contact with.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.