I clean my house and always have with Fabulouso/Pinesol/Lysol (depending on the season for the scent) and I have cats. After watching a TT about how Pinesol is bad for cats, my friend is saying I need to change to all natural products. I’ve own cats my ENTIRE life and used these same cleaning products throughout. I also have kids so they are regularly used because, you know, kids are germ banks. I brought to her attention that every cleaner says it’s bad for cats but my cats are often just in my bedroom and not out here licking my kitchen floors or anything. They’re honestly the mildest cats I’ve ever had, they don’t even try to go on counters or tables. She INSISTS I have to change cleaners (which would pretty much be Mrs Meyers and that doesn’t even disinfect/sanitize). So AITA for “killing my cats” by not changing my cleaning products?
NTA. None of your interfering friend’s business.
NTA. While her concern is coming from a genuine place, she needs to mind her business.
NTA. Is she in an MLM?
NTA but there are safe for pets sanitizers/disinfectants on the market. Doesn’t take long to fine one.
NTA. Like children, dogs or any other creature, you need to make sure they can’t get into dangerous chemicals where they are stored, and that they don’t get into them while you are using them. But just cleaning with them in a normal way isn’t going to harm anyone. If you were to leave wet, undiluted residue of cleaning chemicals on surfaces and let the cats touch it, that could be dangerous, because they could then lick themselves and ingest the product, but that’s not a normal way to use cleaning products. Also, with Pine-Sol, apparently people are worried about pine oil which isn’t actually in it.
NTA
NTA at all.
Your friend (while probably acting with the best intentions) needs to learn to mind her own business. People in general need to realise that they shouldn’t give unsolicited advice, and if they do bring something up that is met with resistance, that’s the signal to drop it.
Pinesol no longer contains actual pine oil, but it does still have chemicals that can cause respiratory irritation in cats. It’s not a bad idea to just be aware of it. Make sure your cats are kept away from the area while it’s being used, until it’s dry. Or better get, try another product. Stay away from from anything with citrus oil for the same reason.
It sounds like your friend’s heart is in the right place, and they’re coming from a place of concern, but ultimately it’s your decision. NAH
Shelters as an example use diluted bleach all the time for cleaning and sanitizing. It is literally their go to usually in like a 1/32 ratio. Clearly undiluted bleach would be dangerous for a cat. A cat playing in the even diluted ratio would be bad. NONE of that happens just like your cats are not getting into your undiluted pine sol and playing with it. None of this is your friend’s business.
NTA.
NTA. The liquid, even diluted, is toxic to cats. You should be fine if you make sure your cats don’t come anywhere near while you’re cleaning, and keep them out ’til it dries and the room is ventilated.
And get your medical info from a veterinarian, not TT (or even Reddit).
NTA but yes, the strong scent alone for cats can cause respiratory issues. That is the case for even strong essential oils though. Cats just have a very sensitive respiratory system so sure, over time being exposed to it can affect that and their sinuses like their eyes. I think it is good to acknowledge and change our behavior once we realize that there is a better alternative morally. Even if we have “gone our whole life” doing something one way. Will it kill them? Likely not but it may make their quality of life a little more uncomfortable if it is causing them issues that you aren’t acknowledging.
So… “a bad thing has never happened *to me* before” is generally not a good measure of if something is safe. Cats like us are all individuals. You can eat things like bread, and croissants and pizza – and I cannot because my body believes yeast is its enemy.
Also, to be clear the issue with the cleaning products isn’t the cleaning chemicals or eating it, but rather scent. Cat’s livers can’t process strong scents or essential oils etc the way we can. And certain scents (like pine I assume) are worse for them. So the issue for your cats is the repeated exposure to the strong scents.
You don’t need to go all natural though, those brands also use scent.
I think what mattes is you being aware of why it can be a problem for your cats so you can accommodate that. Maybe not use the pine scent, or reduce how much you use, or increase air for to reduce their exposure to the scent.
Your friend isn’t right, because she didn’t know what she’s talking about. And it’s not her place to care after sharing her concerns.
Nta but at the very least you should open up the doors and windows that can be opened until its completely dried
Automatic NTA when it’s versus anyone who gets their info from TT.