We keep many household cleaners in our homes, some of which can be dangerous to our fur babies. One product that can be toxic to dogs is Windex.
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What is in Windex?
Windex is a brand of window and glass cleaner that was first developed by the Drackett Company back in 1933. Since then, it has been a highly popular choice when it comes to cleaning windows, mirrors, and glass items.
Classic Windex contains the following ingredients:
- Water
- 2-Hexoxyethanol: a surfactant
- Isopropanolamine: cleaning solvent
- Ammonium Hydroxide: (ammonia) a surfactant
- Lauryl Dimethyl Amine Oxide: a surfactant
- Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate: a surfactant
- Fragrance
- Liquitint Sky Blue Dye
Many of these substances can be toxic for us and for our dogs.
Symptoms of Windex Poisoning in Dogs
You may notice some of these symptoms if your dog has ingested Windex:
- Red, raw skin/blistering of the skin
- Pain
- Pawing at the mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Pawing at eyes/tearing
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Abdominal pain
- Thirst
- Trouble swallowing
- Shock
If you know for sure or suspect that your dog has ingested Windex, please call the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency. Even a small amount of Windex can make a dog very sick.
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Ask a Vet Live NowDiagnosis of Windex Poisoning in Dogs
Even if your dog’s not showing any symptoms, he will still need to see the vet. It’s possible that toxins may not cause any symptoms until a few hours later.
When you reach the vet, they will do a physical exam of your dog, and will order lab tests. Treatment may include administration of fluids, pain medication, anti-inflammatories, and possibly antibiotics. Other treatment will depend on where the damage has occurred (eyes, skin, stomach, etc.). And your fur baby will probably have to stay in the hospital one or more days as he recovers. The vet will monitor for any other symptoms or signs of trouble.
Even after your dog comes home, there may be an extensive time of healing needed for a full recovery.
Most dogs will have a full recovery if they’ve received fast medical treatment. This is key to saving your dog’s life.
Because Windex and other cleaners can be very toxic to dogs, it’s important to keep these out of your dog’s reach. If your dog is especially adept at getting into closets and cabinets, then keep cleaning products up high.
You may also want to consider adding child locks to those cabinets or closets your dog can open easily. This way you’ll keep him safe from being poisoned by Windex and other household cleaners in the future.
A Safe Homemade Window Cleaner Recipe
The good news is that it’s not necessary to purchase expensive store-bought window cleaners. These cleaners contain a wide range of chemicals that can be toxic to us and our pets. So, you may want to consider the alternative of making a homemade, non-toxic window cleaner.
The recipe below uses white vinegar. All the ingredients are non-toxic; however, we still recommend keeping all household cleaners, including homemade versions, out of your dog’s reach. While these ingredients are non-toxic, they could still cause a dog to have some digestive issues if he ate them.
Why Make Homemade Window Cleaner?
If you have pets, then you may want to consider making homemade window cleaner. This may be a great option if you have pets (such as a dog) that likes to get into cleaners and eat or drink them!
In addition, homemade cleaners are usually a healthier option for the entire family. The reason is that you can control the ingredients in a homemade cleaner. Store-bought window cleaner contains many chemicals that are bad for our health (and the health of our pets).
Homemade household cleaners also tend to be cheaper than store-bought versions.
Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup White vinegar
- 2 cups Water
- ½ teaspoon dish detergent (such as Dawn)
Items Needed:
- Mixing bowl & spoon
- Funnel
- Spray bottle
- Measuring cups and teaspoon
Instructions:
- Gently mix water, white vinegar, and dish detergent in the mixing bowl. Increase amounts as needed if you’re cleaning a larger area, for instance.
- Remove the spray top of the spray bottle, insert the funnel into the bottle opening, and pour in water/vinegar/dish detergent mix.
- Replace the spray bottle top and gently swish the mixture around (being careful not to form bubbles).
- Spray the mix on windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces. Clean as usual.
It’s best to keep homemade and store-bought cleaners out of your dog’s reach!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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