Is Pine Sol Safe for Pets? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

A good spring cleaning around the house always leaves one feeling fresh and renewed. One product you may use for this is a cleaning product called Pine-Sol. This popular household cleaner began with a simple idea back in 1929 by a single man. As of 1990, Pine-Sol, along with other similar products, is owned by a company called The Clorox Company.

As with any type of house cleaner or detergent, especially if you are a pet parent, the question of whether it is safe for pets must arise. In the case of Pine-Sol, it is not the safest product to have in the house for dogs or cats and is toxic should they consume the liquid.

What Is Pine-Sol?

Pine-Sol is a widely available multi-purpose, multi-surface cleaner. It works as a disinfectant against 99.9% of germs, is a deodorizer, and can also be used in laundry to remove germs and soiled fabrics. It may be used across a variety of surfaces, making it a versatile, handy, and convenient cleaner. One can understand why it is so popular. Regardless of its popularity, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for houses with pets.

Pine-Sol Ingredients

An up-to-date list of Pine-Sol ingredients can always be found on Smart Label¹ via the Pine-Sol website.

Is Pine-Sol Safe for Dogs?

Yes and no. According to The Clorox Company, it is safe to use Pine-Sol around pets to clean and sanitize floors and cupboards and disinfect laundry, for example. However, it is still a hazardous product to them in several instances.²

Should your dog ingest, bathe, or roll in the liquid, even if it’s diluted, it can be dangerous. If they consume the liquid or contaminate their skin and fur with this disinfectant, it can cause internal toxicity due to the chemicals it contains, or it may cause chemical irritation, burns or other dermatology problems. In both these cases, a trip to your veterinarian is needed to begin any treatment right away and prevent further damage from the disinfectant.

This product used to contain pine oil due to its cleaning and deodorizing abilities. However, pine oil is toxic to dogs, and this particular ingredient has since been removed from Pine-Sol. But whether old bottles containing pine oil are still around the house is a further risk to consider.

Is Pine-Sol Safe for Cats?

Yes and no. Again, this product used to contain pine oil due to its cleaning and deodorizing properties and abilities. However, pine oil is as toxic to cats, as it is to dogs. This particular ingredient has since been removed from Pine-Sol, but you still should check your bottle, just in case.

Still, you should keep your cat from coming in direct contact with this product, the same as you should with dogs.

Signs of Poisoning in Dogs and Cats

If you use Pine-Sol and notice or suspect any of the following signs from your dog or cat, do wash their paws and coat with water if they have managed to come into contact with the product. Then, ring your veterinarian immediately for advice.

How to Use Pine-Sol Safely Around Pets

If you still wish to use this product, then there are some precautionary measures you can take to keep your pets safe while you use it.

Keep your pets away or locked out of the room. Ensure the area is well-ventilated while using this product. Always use the correct ratio for diluting the liquid as advised by the company on the product’s label. Stronger is not always better! Avoid mixing Pine-Sol with other cleaning products, and discard any leftovers or extras safely.

Once the area or items are fully dried, then your dog or cat can return. Remember to store the bottle in a safe space and out of the reach of your pets. Fasten the bottle lid correctly and firmly before storing it back in its designated place.

Our favorite enzyme cleaner for eliminating pet smells and stains is our very own Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray.  It makes clean-up a breeze because it permanently removes even the very worst smells and stains (urine, feces, vomit, you name it!) from basically any surface you can imagine. 

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Pine Sol is a popular and good product for its intended uses. While it can be used around both cats and dogs safely if precautionary measures are taken, it still is a risk having this product in the home and actively using it, due to the potential toxicity it can cause to both cats and dogs. It may be better to rethink your routine and choose a more pet-friendly product, or at the very least be fully aware of the risks involved if you do use Pine Sol.

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Featured Image Credit: Roblan, Shutterstock