As pet parents, we go to great lengths to ensure our fur babies are happy and healthy- I know that I personally feed my pets better than I do myself most days! But what if the biggest threat to their well-being is lurking right inside our homes? Many everyday household products contain toxins and chemicals that can disrupt hormones, increase cancer risk, and contribute to chronic illnesses in both pets and people.
In this article, we’ll break down some of the most common household toxins, how they impact health, and simple swaps to create a toxin-free space for you and your pet.
The Hidden Dangers of Household Toxins
Many products we use daily—cleaners, air fresheners, and even laundry detergents—contain endocrine disruptors and carcinogenic compounds. These chemicals can:
✅ Interfere with hormones (leading to thyroid issues, reproductive problems, and metabolic imbalances)
✅ Trigger allergies, respiratory issues, and skin conditions
✅ Contribute to cancer and immune dysfunction
While these chemicals affect humans, our pets are often more vulnerable because they:
🐾 Walk, sleep, and roll on floors treated with chemicals
🐾 Groom themselves (licking toxins off their paws and fur)
🐾 Have smaller bodies with a higher toxic load in proportion to their size
Let’s dive into the most common and dangerous toxins in the home, some of which you may not even realize are problematic.
1. Artificial Fragrances: The “Invisible” Toxin
Products to watch out for: Candles, air fresheners, plug-ins, deodorizing sprays, laundry detergents and more…
Those “fresh linen” and “tropical breeze” scents might smell pleasant (unless you’re sensitive to artificial fragrances like me, in which case they might be giving you a severe migraine instead..), but they contain phthalates, a type of endocrine-disrupting chemical that mimics hormones and throws the body off balance.
🔥 What’s the risk?
- They’re linked to hormone imbalances, reproductive issues, and cancer
- Can trigger asthma and allergies in pets and humans
- Chemicals linger in the air and settle on floors and pet bedding
Toxin-Free Swap: Use pure essential oils (I put this in bolded letters because there are sadly many companies that sell very low grade EOs that are similarly not great for your health) from a company such as animalEO, beeswax candles ( I recently found some at my farmers market and I am obsessed), or a simmer pot with herbs and citrus peels for natural scent. You can also use a natural deodorizing spray such as the new RESTORE groom spray from CBD Dog Health and 4-Legger. I’ve used this on my dogs, cats, and couch and really like the effects and subtle clean scent left behind.
2. Chemical-Based Cleaners: “Fresh” Doesn’t Mean Safe
Products to watch out for: Multi-surface sprays, bleach, floor cleaners, disinfecting wipes, dish soap…
Many common cleaners contain ammonia, formaldehyde, chlorine, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—all of which can be harmful when inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
🛑 Why are they dangerous?
- VOCs are linked to respiratory issues, organ toxicity, and cancer
- Bleach and ammonia can burn the airways and paws (especially in cats!)
- Antibacterial sprays often contain triclosan, an endocrine disruptor
Toxin-Free Swap: Opt for vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap as safe alternatives. I personally use Dr Bronner’s castile liquid soap and dilute per instructions on the bottle for floor cleaner and dish soap.
3. Laundry Products: Ditch the Dryer Sheet!
Products to watch out for: Dryer sheets, scented detergents, fabric softeners…
Did you know the artificial fragrance on your pet’s bedding could be coating their fur in toxins? Most detergents and fabric softeners contain benzyl acetate, chloroform, and artificial dyes, which can irritate the skin and disrupt hormones.
👎 Health risks include:
- Skin allergies, rashes, and irritation due to direct contact
- Respiratory issues from inhaling chemical residues
- Liver and kidney damage from toxin buildup over time
Toxin-Free Swap: Use fragrance-free, plant-based detergents and wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. I make my own powdered laundry detergent, and you can get the recipe here!
4. Pesticides & Chemical Lawn Treatments
Products to watch out for: Lawn fertilizers, weed killers, flea and tick chemicals, insecticides…
I won’t spend too much time here, because truthfully this needs to be an article all on its own. Briefly, many pets are exposed to glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup), which has been classified as a probable carcinogen. They absorb these chemicals through their paws and fur and then ingest them when grooming. Plus, kibble and non-organic vegetables are heavily laden with glyphosate, which is what most of us fed our pets before we learned about the risks. We also have the potentially devastating effects of flea and tick chemicals, often called ‘pest preventatives’ even though they don’t actually prevent pests from biting- they only kill them once they’re fed from your pet. And please don’t forget that if you use a liquid pest chemical on your pet, that liquid is getting on your hands, your furniture, your kids… everywhere. So if you wouldn’t feel safe opening the package and licking it, then you shouldn’t feel safe putting it on your pet because it’s the same thing.
🐕 Dangers include:
- Increased risk of lymphoma and bladder cancer in dogs
- Neurological issues and seizures because pest chemicals are neurotoxins
- Disrupts gut bacteria, leading to leaky gut and weakening immunity
Toxin-Free Swap: Use natural lawn treatments like compost tea and switch to non-toxic flea and tick prevention like diatomaceous earth, amber collars and essential oil sprays. Feed fresh food and kick kibble to the curb. If you want to learn how, consider taking my Nutrition Course.
5. Pet Grooming & Care Product Problems
Finally, what you’ve really been waiting for! Products to watch out for: Pet shampoos, deodorizing wipes and sprays for both pet fur and their fabrics, pet cologne, and so much more…
Most commercial pet shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, artificial fragrances, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. These ingredients strip the skin of natural oils and increase toxin absorption through the skin.
🚨 Why it matters:
- Endocrine disruptors mimic estrogen and contribute to hormone imbalances
- Carcinogenic ingredients increase cancer risk
- They can cause itching, dandruff, and skin irritation ranging from mild to severe, which can then lead to infections due to broken skin
Toxin-Free Swap: Look for USDA-certified organic pet shampoos and grooming products made with ingredients such as essential oils, coconut oil, and full spectrum hemp extract. I’ve been using the REPLENISH shampoo and RESTORE groom spray from 4-Legger and CBD Dog Health for the past few weeks and I truly am amazed at the quality of the product. The dogs smell great, the couch is no longer stinky, and even my cat didn’t look at me with absolute distain when I sprayed some on the spots where she had been over-grooming.
I especially love the ingredients in these paired products, both of which include a full spectrum hemp extract, hemp seed oil, lemongrass essential oil, rosemary essential oil and olive oil. REPLENISH shampoo also includes aloe vera, coconut oil and jojoba oil. In the RESTORE formula, you’ll see the additional beneficial ingredients of rosehip seed oil and tremella mushroom extract!
Tremella is known as the mushroom of immortality due to its skin, immune, and anti-aging benefits. If you want to learn more about the benefits of Tremella, read my blog about it (coming soon)! And there are so many benefits to using a full spectrum hemp extract I think we would be here all day if I listed them all. Immune support, skin support, allergy support, endocannabinoidome support- you name it, CBD seems to do it. I’m floored that this ingredient is included in my new favorite Dynamic Duo of skin care products, so definitely consider giving them a try.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed- Start Swapping Slowly
Transforming your home into a toxin-free space doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Start small and make one swap at a time using these steps:
✅ Ditch artificial fragrances: Replace plug-ins and candles with diffused essential oils.
✅ Swap chemical cleaners for natural alternatives: Vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap are great options and easy to buy OR make.
✅ Switch to non-toxic laundry products: Look for fragrance-free detergents or DIY (get my recipe!).
✅ Choose safer pet grooming products: Opt for organic shampoos free from synthetic additives like the ones from CBD Dog Health and 4-Legger.
✅ Rethink flea & tick prevention: Try natural solutions like neem oil and diatomaceous earth.
By making these simple changes, you’re not only protecting your own health and putting your mind at ease; you’re also giving your pet a cleaner, safer environment to thrive in and setting them up for a longer, healthier, and happier life.
