Is Febreze Safe for Cats? Precautions & Alternatives
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When we share our home with kitties, finding compatible cleaning products can be a bit of a challenge. If you have a purring princess or prince at home, you probably want to ensure that everything you have is entirely safe before you use it in your pet’s presence.
Febreze is one of the most popular deodorizing brands due to its excellent selection of scents and overall formula effectiveness. But are they safe products to have around your pets? According to the manufacturer's website, when used as directed, Febreze Fabric Refresher is cat-safe. Let’s break it down. .
Febreze Alternatives
Even though Febreze is deemed pet-safe by their on-staff vets and toxicologists, you still might not be crazy about the idea of using it in your home. If you are worried about using anything that could harm your cat, you can always go the pet-safe route.
Combating tough odors coming from your cat is an ongoing battle for pet parents. Here are some of our top picks for products designed specifically for pets, to significantly reduce odors, providing optimal compatibility between cleanliness and cat-keeping.
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Hepper Cat Litter Deodorizer |
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Check Price |
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Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray |
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Check Price |
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Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo |
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Check Price |
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
What Is Febreze?
Febreze is a brand of deodorizer, marketed as a freshener and fabric refresher that gets to the core of odor issues. Just about every home in America has a bottle of Febreze in their cabinet. It’s useful, readily available, and found at virtually any grocery or home goods store.
You can spray Febreze as an air freshener or on your fabrics to spruce them up. They have various scents to choose from, all of which are suitable for use around cats.
Febreze has some pretty interesting science behind how it works.1 The molecules in the formula eliminate odors, and you can read all about it. But for now, let's keep the focus on our cats.
Febreze & Pet Safety
We understand that there can be some confusion regarding the safety of this product for pets. However, according to the ASPCA, Febreze is completely safe to use around your cat when used as directed.2 That means you must let the spray fully dry before allowing them around the area, which shouldn’t take more than 10 to 20 minutes at most.
Regardless, you should always use caution when using any chemical product around your cat. There’s always a chance for adverse reactions. If you notice any signs such as sneezing or wheezing after using Febreze around your cat, you should discontinue use.
Questionable Febreze Ingredients
Febreze is very transparent with its ingredients.
There are no concerning ingredients in Febreze. However, your cat should never ingest it for any reason. Ensuring that your cat is not getting it on their coat is essential.
Let’s say, for example, you are spraying your cat’s bed regularly with Febreze. The product is landing on a place where they often groom. If they get Febreze on their coat and then lick it off, it can cause every ingredient to enter your pet’s system. This can lead to more severe side effects.
Always make sure any area you spray with Febreze is completely dry before allowing your cat to have access.
Avoid Skin Contact
Of course, any chemical compound has negative impacts if it’s misused. You should never spray Febreze directly on your cat for any reason. Direct contact with your kitty’s coat can cause allergic reactions and irritation. Plus, they can lick the substance from their fur, ingesting all the chemicals.
At worst, they might have vomiting or a tummy ache, but it’s best to be safe rather than sorry. If your cat ingests Febreze by mistake, you should contact Poison Control or your vet's office immediately for further guidance.
Conclusion
So, now you know that as long as you use Febreze fabric refresher as directed, it is generally safe to have around your cat. Febreze fabric refresher is a popular product that controls odors and is a staple in most households. If you feel comfortable using Febreze fabric refresher in your home, you’re backed up by the ASPCA. But never directly spray your cat with Febreze, and always allow it to dry off before your cat has contact with the surface. See Also:
Are Plug-In Air Fresheners Bad for Cats? Vet Approved Facts & Advice
Cat-Friendly Couch & Furniture Fabrics for Cat Hair and Claws
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
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As a freelance dog writer and passionate pet enthusiast, Ashley Bates is pursuing studies in animal therapy. A mother to four human children and 23 animal companions, Ashley is dedicated to volunteering at shelters, advocating for animal rights, and rescuing animals in need. Her goal is to spread awareness, provide education, and offer entertainment about pets to reduce homelessness. Ashley's specialties include dogs and cats.
