In 2010, a potentially dangerous pet "remedy" began circulating on the internet. The potentially deadly advice involves dryer sheets (also known as fabric softener sheets) sold under brand names like Bounce, Snuggle and Downy. The advice? Rub a dog's fur with dryer sheets to eliminate static, odor and loose fur. Some cat owners have also used dryer sheets on their pets' fur, leading to disastrous results.
Unfortunately, the adage "you can't believe everything you read" has been ringing true for many cat and dog owners, as pets have been sickened by the potentially toxic chemicals in the dryer sheets.
Why are Dryer Sheets Toxic Dogs and Cats?
According to Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, "Dryer sheets contain an array of dangerous chemicals and fragrances, including chloroform and benzyl acetate. The symptoms can vary dramatically. A dog may experience fairly minor symptoms like itching, redness and rash due to contact dermatitis [an allergic reaction involving the skin]; or he may suffer a serious and potentially deadly reaction like anaphylaxis – it varies depending on the nature of the exposure and the dog's sensitivity to the irritants."
Dr. Levine indicated that rubbing a dog's fur with dryer sheets can pose several different dangers:
- Skin Irritation from dryer sheets – When wiping a dog's fur with dryer sheets, the chemicals may contact the skin, causing contact dermatitis. Symptoms affecting the dog's skin can include itching, burning, swelling, redness, hives and skin rash.
- Symptoms affecting the respiratory system – The dryer sheet chemicals can be inhaled causing irritation to the respiratory tract. Asthmatic dogs or pets who experience an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the fabric softener sheets may experience airway constriction and inflammation. Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) can also result.
- Absorption or ingestion of dryer sheet chemicals – The chemicals are absorbed through the skin; they may also be ingested through licking or biting (a common reaction to skin irritation). The dryer sheets can trigger seizures in a dog or a potentially deadly allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Pets can also suffer kidney damage; routine exposure could contribute to chronic kidney failure.
Dr. Levine cautions that in very sensitive pets, exposure to laundry that has been processed with fabric softener or dryer sheets can trigger a reaction, ranging from itchy skin, hives or difficulty breathing to pulmonary edema or seizure.
Wiping a cat's fur with dryer sheets poses an even greater risk, as cats will ingest the chemicals as they lick their fur during grooming. Cats can suffer indirect exposure to dryer sheet chemicals if they groom the dogs in the household or share bedding. Dogs may ingest the dryer sheet chemicals if they begin licking or biting their fur/skin due to irritation, thereby compounding the dangers.
In fact, virtually all brands of fabric softener sheets' carry a warning on the packaging. The packaging for Bounce dryer sheets says, "Keep out of reach of toddlers and pets to avoid accidental ingestion."
Some even claim that fabric softener products contain cancer-causing ingredients.
Helping a Cat or Dog With an Allergic Reaction to Dryer Sheets
If a cat or dog is exposed to dryer sheets, the pet should be immediately bathed to remove the chemicals and fragrance from the skin and fur. A dish soap like Dawn can be effective in removing the chemicals. The cat or dog should be washed and rinsed very thoroughly to ensure that all traces of fabric softener are removed.
An immediate trip to the veterinary clinic emergency room is warranted if any of the following symptoms are observed:
- Facial swelling
- Swollen paws
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures or tremors
- Vomiting
- Panting and/or salivation
- Unsteadiness or refusal to walk
- Persistent itching or paw biting
Dr. Levine issued an additional warning: "Some pet owners believe that it's safe to rub a dog's fur with dryer sheets because they've done it in the past and no obvious problems resulted. That doesn't mean it's safe; it means your dog was lucky. Further, a pet cannot report the less obvious symptoms like headache, nausea or kidney damage, so an absence of visible symptoms does not mean a pet is unaffected.
"It's also important to remember that pets can develop an allergy at any time – the next time you expose the pet to dryer sheets, it could elicit a deadly reaction. Dryer sheets are toxic to dogs and cats. That's the bottom line."
In the first half of 2010, Dr. Levine saw four cases involving dogs and cats who suffered serious physical effects following exposure to the toxins in dryer sheets. In one of the two most severe cases, a 2-year-old cat required a four-day stay at the veterinary hospital. In the other serious case, a 4-year-old Chow mix sustained a 3-inch gash that exposed his skull bone when he struck his head during a seizure – the seizure was caused by a rub-down with dryer sheets.
Instead of using dryer sheets to remove odor, pet owners should regularly bathe the dog or cat. Pet-safe colognes are also available. And instead of risking a pet's health and life by exposing him to fabric softener sheets to remove static and remove loose fur, utilize the appropriate grooming products and pet brushes.
The ASPCA's Pet Poison Control Hotline can also be a useful resource for pet owners who are dealing with a dog or cat poisoning incident.
Dog and cat owners should also use caution to avoid exposing pets to poisonous plants in the home and yard. To learn more, read Toxic Plants for Dogs and Cats.
Pet owners should also be aware of which foods are poisonous to dogs. To learn more, read Toxic Food Items for Dogs: Learn What Items in the Kitchen and Home are Poisonous to Pets.
Source:
Phone interview with Dr. Michael Levine, DVM on June 19, 2010.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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