Do you find your cat sniffing the bleach container when you sweep the floor? You may have observed that your furry friend is particularly fond of household cleaners like bleach.
It might also be that your feline refuses to leave the floor and counters when you have freshly cleaned them with bleach. Cats are known to do this regularly, but have you ever wondered what causes this behavior?
Even though researchers cannot explain this phenomenon, here are some reasons to assist you in understanding why cats are so fond of bleach:
1. Similar Effect as Catnip
It is possible that since your cat is not picking up the pheromones from another cat, it is likely both perplexed and intrigued by the smell of bleach that you use. It is common for cats to mimic their reactions to catnip by scratching, drooling, biting, and occasionally playing.
Pheromone-like components are found in both bleach and catnip. Nepetalactone, oil found in catnip, is responsible for this reaction in cats.
2. Assuming That the Source of Odor Is an Invader
The hormones in your cat may smell the bleach and sense it as an intruder than a prospective partner. In this way, rubbing might be a marking activity from your cat to recover its territory.
It shows signs of territorialism if it sprays or drags its buttocks through floors and surfaces that are cleaned with bleach.
3. The Presence of Sodium Hypochlorite in Bleach
Bleach is made of sodium hypochlorite, and the smell is very pleasing to cats. It has a strong resemblance to chlorine’s fragrance. It has an odor reminiscent of animal pee.
Cats may be attracted to the scent of bleach because it elicits a reaction comparable to that of pheromones. However, this has not been scientifically verified.
4. Response to Artificially Created Pheromones
One or more compounds in bleach are thought to imitate the pheromones that attract felines. Cat’s pheromones are substances they use to communicate with each other and the environment in general.
Their scent glands produce pheromones, which are then processed by the vomeronasal organ (VO), a unique organ in cats. Distinct pheromones generate different responses, and whatever it is in bleach that is igniting their VO can affect them.
In addition to spinning on the floor, sneezing, and licking bleached areas, cats also purr and drool when they smell it.
What Level of Bleach Dilution Is Both Effective and Safe to Use Around a Cat?
You should dilute household bleach to a 1:32 dilution and leave it on the surface for 10-15 minutes to get the best results. If the concentration is stronger, your cat would be in grave danger in case of bleach ingestion.
Diluting the solution further might jeopardize the disinfection process itself. Pathogens can be harmed by 1:32, but your cat is less at risk if the solution is washed and dried before it comes into contact with treated surfaces and objects.
With more resistant organisms, such as the cat flu virus, for example, a stronger 1:10 solution for 30 minutes contact time is more effective for disinfecting objects or surfaces.
Still, cats must be kept clear at this concentration because it will likely cause much more damage if your cat goes near it.
Remove your cat from any location where chemicals are being used and thoroughly clean and dry the area afterward to ensure that no residue is left behind.
If you have underfloor heating, we recommend using a 1:32 strength of bleach and rinsing the floor well afterward with a separate bucket of water. You do not want to expose your family’s airways to bleach scent toxicity!
On the other hand, avoid diluting your bleach with too hot water. You can minimize bleach vaporization and inhalation by washing your hands with cold water.
Use bleach in water, not water in bleach, to prevent the concentrated bleach from splashing and spraying over the body, eyes, and face of cats!
Can Bleach Poison Cats?
Hypochlorite content, pH, and dilution can affect the relative risk of a given bleach. However, alkaline or acid corrosive harm can occur if the pH of the bleach is more than 11 or lower than 3.5, even at concentrations as low as 10% hypochlorite.
You can dilute bleach with water to minimize its corrosive potential and make it less likely for major gastrointestinal or eyesight irritants.
Chloramine gas is produced by mixing hypochlorite and ammonia, and it can induce respiratory distress or delayed onset of pulmonary edema between 12–24 hours of exposure. It is extremely harmful to the respiratory system of cats. Toxic effects build up over time because they may be absorbed quickly through the skin and lungs.
As cats walk on contaminated surfaces, their paws include glands that allow dangerous substances to be absorbed quicker. No matter how long you wait for the surface to dry, chlorine chemicals will always leave behind particles.
Also, you cannot use this cleaner with other chemicals. Ammonia is one of the most toxic compounds you may combine with bleach.
Cat urine contains a lot of ammonia. It is a poison on its own, which is produced when a cat’s metabolism breaks down urea. For both you and your cat, it might cause major health issues if you mix them. Bleach may burn the mouth and esophagus if swallowed.
What Causes Bleach Poisoning in Cats?
Because of their tiny size, cats can quickly become unwell when exposed to even small levels of bleach. If you use bleach for cleaning, your cat’s body can easily come into contact with it.
Because cats are so meticulous about keeping themselves clean, the most common way they are poisoned is when they brush themselves while trying to clean their bodies. To get rid of the dirt, they consume these chemicals by licking themselves.
Bleach Poisoning Symptoms in Cats
1. Seizures
It is possible for cats to have seizures and tremors when they come into contact with bleach. Mild to severe seizures can occur in cats when they consume bleach. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to many minutes.
Bleach poisoning can lead to a complete loss of physiological functioning in cats if it is severe enough. Your cat may start meowing or barking at nothing because of hallucinations.
2. Cold Sores and Swollen Eyes
Coughing and burning eyes from fume inhalation are other possible side effects of bleach poisoning in cats.
If you smell bleach on your cat’s fur, this might indicate that your furry friend has consumed bleach. Discoloration on your feline’s paws may occur due to exposure to bleach.
3. Drooling and Vomiting
Bleach causes drooling and vomiting in cats when ingested, even in small amounts. Your cat may get weak if it vomits a lot. Even a tiny amount of color-safe bleach can cause vomiting in cats, but they normally recover to normal within a few hours.
4. Low Blood Pressure
Bleach poisoning can cause low blood pressure in felines. Eventually, the coma will set in due to the shock that has developed. Coma symptoms include erratic breathing, a cat’s inability to respond to your voice, and a lack of movement in its limbs.
6 Steps to Take if Your Cat Comes into Contact with Bleach
1. Make an Appointment with a Veterinarian
The use of ultra-concentrated bleach necessitates immediate attention. You should call a veterinary practitioner immediately if you suspect that your cat has ingested or been exposed to concentrated bleach.
2. Rinse Your Cat’s Mouth with Water
Prevent any corrosive reaction through the use of first aid. You can flush your cat’s mouth with water to eliminate any bleach residue.
3. Give It a Good Soak in the Tub
You can treat exposure to bleach at home. Give your cat a long soak in the tub with plenty of water and a bar of light soap or cat shampoo.
4. Ensure That Your Cat Does Not Come into Contact with Bleach Anymore
It is important to keep your cat out of the way of any additional bleach sources, such as a toilet tank or bowl of bleach solution used to clean, so that it cannot access it.
Remove as much bleach as possible from your cat’s fur by rinsing the area with clean water and wiping it with a towel.
5. Give It Some Milk
It is important to urge your cat to drink milk to remove any remaining bleach from the lining of its intestines after it has ingested bleach.
Providing your cat with a small cup of milk might help in the consumption of fluid, and it aids in the removal of any remaining bleach from its body. Bleach-irritated membranes will benefit from the soothing properties of milk.
6. Keep an Eye Out for Any Symptoms of Pain
Always keep a watch out for any symptoms of discomfort, like drooling or trouble breathing, by softly and swiftly checking your cat’s mouth, eyes, lips, and paws.
7 Best Bleach Alternatives
1. White Vinegar
In addition to disinfecting your house, you may also use white vinegar to maintain the luster of your walls and windows. This makes it a great alternative to bleach.
Fill a spray bottle halfway with white vinegar and the rest with water. You can add dish soap to the mixture for extra cleaning power. Wipe clean with a cloth or paper towel after spraying.
2. Borax
There is a good chance you have borax lying around your house. Borax is an excellent substitute for bleach. You can mix it with your washing detergent to give your clothing an extra cleaning boost.
Borax may be used as a disinfectant and a household cleaner as well. Use it to clean unclean or grimy surfaces like sinks and toilets by combining them with water.
3. Pet-Friendly Cleaning Products
Using pet-friendly cleaning solutions to keep the house clean is a safe option for cat owners. Potassium peroxymonosulfate, for example, is present in such products, which is a low-toxicity disinfectant that is efficient in eliminating a wide range of viruses.
Chlorhexidine, which has reduced toxicity and kills many viruses and bacteria, is also included in these products.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent. It is a powerful stain remover that works wonders on even the toughest stains. You can add it to your wash to improve the efficacy of your detergent. It can soften and deodorize your garments as well.
5. Lemon
Lemons contain citric acid, which breaks down stains and is safe to use on colored clothing, unlike bleach, which can harm delicate fabrics. Your clothes will come back to life after adding a cup of lemon juice to the wash!
6. Hydrogen Peroxide
The moderate bleaching qualities of hydrogen peroxide make it an excellent bleach replacement for removing stains and brightening white clothing.
Because it is biodegradable and oxygen-based, it has a lower environmental effect than chlorine bleach. Hydrogen peroxide may be found in pharmacies and first aid kits.
7. Castile Soap
Castile soap, made from olive oil, is another great bleach substitute. This soap, unlike many others, is chemical-free and safe to use around cats and even children.
You can make a paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and water and scrub your bathroom, dishes, and floors with it. You may also use a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and borax to wash detergent.
Wrapping Up
Most people believe that cats are drawn to the chlorine in bleach, despite the lack of scientific data on the subject. Cats have the same natural response to bleach as they do to catnip.
There is a possibility that your cat may try to mark its territory if it feels that there is an intruder. They may vomit or get a chemical burn as a result of consuming bleach.
In case of bleach ingestion, you can attempt to flush out the poison by giving your cat water or milk. Consider taking your furry friend to the doctor if the poisoning appears to be life-threatening.
You can read also
- Why Does My Cat Have a Bald Spot above Her Eye
- Why Does My Cat Keep Throwing Up Undigested Food?
- What To Do If You See An Injured Cat On The Road?
- What Does It Mean When a Cat Rubs Against Your Leg?
Hi !!! I am Alice. The love of pet animals especially the bonding with cats inspired me to write. I am a trained specialist with depth knowledge about cat, their food habits, their behavior and how to take care of cats. Here at www.petcatinfo , me and my team members tried our best to share the information about cats.