Is Pine-Sol Safe For Dogs?

Do you use Pine-Sol to clean your floors and home? You may ask yourself whether it is safe for your pets?

According to the official website, Pine-Sol is safe and recommended for use in pet areas but should not be used as a pet shampoo.

As long as it is diluted as directed and it is not ingested or too much of it is inhaled by your pup, then it is still safe to use this efficient detergent when cleaning and disinfecting your household.

But according to experts and veterinarians, the short answer to the question “is Pine-Sol healthy for dogs?” is – no, it is not healthy.

Read on for more information regarding the safe use of Pine-Sol in homes with dogs and which are some of the more dog-friendly cleaning options.

Can I Mop My Floors With Pine-Sol If I Have A Dog?

For decades now, the famous cleaning solution Pine-Sol doesn’t contain the pine oil that made it so popular and which is toxic to canines and felines. Then again, it is still unsafe for dogs and cats if ingested or inhaled in high concentrations.

So, if you are planning on cleaning your house or the pet area with this detergent, make sure to dilute it and rinse it off as the manufacturer recommends.

Ensure that windows are open or enough air circulation to allow any harmful fumes to disperse and leave the premises as quickly as possible.

Just like with any other detergent and chemical solution, Pine-Sol should be safely stored away and out of reach by children and dogs.

Ingesting, it can harm humans and animals and cause mild to severe symptoms.

If your pup has swallowed some Pine-Sol, you should call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Is Inhaling Or Smelling Pine-Sol Harmful For Canines?

Since dogs have a much stronger and more sensitive sense of smell, they are more likely to be affected by the fumes and smell of Pine-Sol than humans.

Exposure to fumes from concentrated Pine-Sol can lead to adverse reactions in dogs. These can include sneezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing. Some pups may experience eye, throat, lung, or skin irritations. Others may start vomiting after breathing in a lot of the fumes or as a result of the strong smell of the detergent.

But when used as directed and with sufficient air circulation in your home, your furry companion should be fine if you use Pine-Sol for cleaning and disinfection.

If your dog has respiratory illnesses, you should be more careful when using harsh chemicals. The same goes for using air fresheners and aerosol sprays around it.

If you suspect your furbaby has consumed or inhaled Pine-Sol or any other chemical cleaning solution, then contact your vet for advice.

Are There Floor Cleaning Solutions That Are Safe For Pets?

It is important for everybody’s health and well-being to keep your floors clean and disinfected, especially if you have pets, kids, or both.

But what are some of the safest cleaning solutions which can help you kill off the bacteria and viruses from your floors and yet not harm your furbaby?

Here are some natural options. They are highly efficient disinfectants and cleaning solutions you likely already have lying around in your pantry.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the most versatile, efficient, and inexpensive cleaning and odor-absorbing products you can use instead of harsh chemical solutions.

It can be mixed with some water and white vinegar and used as a mild abrasive, a disinfectant, and a cleaning product for any surface.

Sprinkling some baking soda also helps absorb and reduce unpleasant odors from carpets, upholstery, and others.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Baking Soda?

White Distilled Vinegar

Vinegar is another affordable and common natural household product that can easily replace Pine-Sol as a safer cleaning option for your floors or any other surfaces.

Dilute a cup of the white distilled vinegar in about two gallons of lukewarm water, and use the solution to clean and disinfect your floors. Vinegar is highly efficient in killing germs, mold spores, and other harmful microorganisms. At the same time, it is completely safe for you and for your pets.

Hydrogen Peroxide

This is yet another everyday household staple that has disinfectant properties. This means that it can be used to destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses from your floors.

It is also perfect for cleaning pet urine stains or vomit from most kinds of floors and surfaces.

Lemon Juice

Just like vinegar, lemon juice is an acid with antibacterial properties and can be used as a natural floor cleaner.

Make sure to dilute one part of lemon juice in 10 parts of warm water and then mop the floors with the solution.

Your home will be clean, disinfected, and will have a wonderful fresh smell.

Other Store-Bought Detergents

If you prefer to buy a commercial cleaning solution for your floor, then there are some pet-safe options that you can use instead of Pine-Sol as well.

• Bean & Lily Floor Cleaner – kid and pet safe, natural, and eco-friendly for all floor surfaces
• The Laundress All-Purpose Concentrate – family, food, and pet safe for all surfaces
• Nature’s Miracle Stain and odor Eliminator – odor and stain removal with safe bio enzymes for all floor surfaces
• Better Life Naturally Dirt Destroying Floor Cleaner – biodegradable, plant-based, no toxic components or fumes
• Eco-me Concentrated Multi-Surface and Floor Cleaner – pet and family safe, biodegradable, no harmful chemicals and fumes
• Kennell Dog Crate Cleaner – disinfects and cleans pet areas safely
• OdoBan Pet Solutions No Rinse Floor Cleaner – removes stains and odors and disinfects floors in homes with pets

Final Verdict

Pine-Sol no longer contains the pine oil and phenols that used to be considered poisonous for canines and felines. Yet, it is still advisable to keep your pets safely away from the solution when you are using or storing it.

The popular cleaning solution still contains chemicals that can lead to adverse effects in dogs if ingested or inhaled.

Some of the side effects of breathing in too much of the cleaning solution include coughing, respiratory problems, vomiting, irritation of the eyes and skin, and more.

To stay safe, you may want to switch to pet-friendly cleaning products. These are baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, or some store-bought solutions that have been specifically designed to be safe for dogs, cats, and other pets.

If you absolutely need to use Pine-Sol, make sure to store it safely away from pets and kids at all times. Ensure that there are open windows or sufficient ventilation when using it.