The younger a cat is weaned, the stronger its drive to nurse and the more likely the cat is to suck on wool -- or its owner’s arms, earlobes, or hair. He pulls at wallpaper and then chews small pieces of the drywall. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Washington State University. But I saw he had thrown up so I googled and became concerned. A lick from a cat is a huge compliment. I just do a quick rub down with a sheet along their back and up their tail. My oldest cat, Bizkit, has an affinity for used dryer sheets. My cat Cyrus, about an hour ago, licked a dryer sheet once before I had him shoo off so I could grab it and throw it out. Dogs make up about 92 percent of single-use pack cases; they are involved in just under 60 percent of liquid detergent cases. Cats love to bury themselves under recently dried clothing, towels and blankets in an effort to soak up the heat. “I usually take my cats’ licking as a compliment,” Koski says. Access from your Country was disabled by the administrator. If your cat is licking a blanket and purring, then it is happy and contented. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals indicates cationic (positively charged) elements added to dryer sheets and fabric softeners can cause drooling, appetite loss, oral burns and stomach pain in dogs and other animals as well, but is even more dangerous for cats, whose digestive systems are much more sensitive. One we just pieced together today is his proclivity towards munching on anything that is mesh textured. This damage can present locally on the skin, and it can present systemically as respiratory distress. I keep the laundry detergents and such behind cabinet doors and I don't "let" him gain access, but if he catches wind of a new dryer sheet, he's in seventh heaven. According to the Spruce, dryer sheets used to reduce static cling can harm a pet’s health. Dryer Sheets. Hi. Check the product lable though just to be safe. There are many reasons why cats like to lick their owners, but it’s generally thought of as a positive behavior. Other inedible objects, such as clothing, can block the intestine and prevent food from passing. 1 decade ago. The chemicals contained in dryer sheets (as well as fabric softeners and laundry detergents) get absorbed by your skin as well as your cats’ skin. He also behaves the same way with the used sheets. He’d even try to take them out of the garbage can when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. These detergents have the potential to cause significant signs like drooling, vomiting, oral and esophageal ulcers and fever. Dryer sheets are toxic to your pet. He should be fine. I brought my cat Oli home (11 months old now) when she was about 2 months old and she likes to knead on my blanket whenever I bring it out for a little nap. Dryer sheets are used to remove static from the laundry. Below is more information about potential reactions and flea control product toxicity in pets. The sheet itself can also cause internal blockages, especially with smaller animals. The sheet wasn't used in laundry, because I had it on my turtle's tank to keep … read more Lv 4. At first I ignored it --but then the intestinal issues started for her and when we visited the vet he noticed a lot of linen fiber in her stool. If you are the site owner (or you manage this site), please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details (displayed in the box below), so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue. We all love our cats, but the smell of cat urine is one of the most unpleasant parts of owning a feline. The sheet wasn't used in laundry, because I had it on my turtle's tank to keep … read more He doesn't really chew things too often. They contain a plethora of chemicals that are not meant as food. Personally I wouldn’t have them in the house or fabric softeners which are similar. Ashley. My husband and I just adopted a new cat, and we're still figuring out the little habits he has. A cat licking the carpet may be a little humorous, but if he or she is ingesting carpet strands, it is time for us to take a look. It is possible he ate one but I don't think he would/did. You don't need to worry. 0 0. The same paws that play with the dryer sheet are the ones kitty licks and brushes across her fur when primping. Ingestion occurs if the dog or cat licks the treated area. Learn 16 ways you can use a dryer sheet around the house from cleaning dirty pans to taming flyaway hair. www.catster.com/cat-health-care/cat-health-tips-shelters-shocking-truth-fabric-softener-dryer-sheets-static-electricity, Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/83.0.4103.116 Safari/537.36. Cationic detergents cause corrosive damage. 0 0. Not the … She has received more than 40 awards for excellence in journalism and photography. Laundry detergent pods (single-use laundry packs) have been in the news recently for causing poisonings in children who, attracted by the bright, candylike packaging, ingest them. I think it has something to do when they were younger and with there mothers. She was playing with it for a while before I realized what she had and she seemed to really enjoy it. They've been so bad this winter that I can hear them crackling when they walk. ... and I wouldn’t want cats to ingest even a diluted bleach solution if they lick their paws. Pica in cats is the act of eating objects that are not food. Laundry dryer sheets contain fragrances and chemicals to … Be aware that either of these substances, detergents or liquid fabric softener can cause poisoning and burns in th… Dryer sheets are durable tissues soaked in chemicals one of which is dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate. “I usually take my cats’ licking as a compliment,” Koski says. This suggests that that blanket has a comforting and familiar scent. Getting a cat to drink milk coats the esophagus, helping to reduce the burning effects of the chemicals. These are called cationic surfactants. I know unused dryer sheets are toxic to cats, but what about ones that have been used? If your cat has urinated in your dryer, or if you dried something that had cat urine on it and now your dryer smells like pee, this smell can be transferred onto your clothes. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns against corrosive tissue injury it claims is caused by cationics -- particularly for cats due to their grooming habits. I caught him going to town on one yesterday and I'm worried that he'll make himself really sick. Amy M. Armstrong is a former community news journalist with more than 15 years of experience writing features and covering school districts. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns that cats suffering from exposure to cationics can experience a swollen tongue, depression, abdominal discomfort and increased respiratory noise within six to 12 hours after ingestion. Cationic products such as benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol and chloroform applied to dryer sheets to release softness and fragrance onto drying clothes were never intended to be ingested by cats. My cat has a very strange fixation. I checked my dryer sheets and they don't say anything. Trouble is, dangerous exposure can occur at this point, as the chemicals applied to the dryer sheet are highly active. Steroid Alternatives for Itchy Skin in Cats→. Cats can have some strange behaviors and still be within the realm of normal, but it is important not to overlook a symptom of a serious issue. Dryer sheets are toxic to cats. That should give you an answer. While drooling, appetite loss and oral burns are among the first outward signs that kitty's tangle with the dryer sheet is causing health problems, chances are very good that a trip to the veterinarian will reveal further difficulties from the exposure. While cats constantly lick themselves, licking that becomes obsessive or involves nonbody, nonfood items can be a sign of an underlying problem. While it may be a form of flattery, cat licking still has the potential to become excessive or tiresome. Dryer Sheets. It wasn't wet, so I'm not sure if he chewed it or not. The dryer sheets work wonderfully for a few days (I can even pet them without causing them to flinch!). Bounce Dryer Sheets - Pet Hair & Lint Guard - Mega Sheet - Fresh Scent - 50 Count Sheets Per Box - One (1) Box 3.6 out of 5 stars 6 $11.95 $ 11 . Even though the word "cationic" begins its spelling with kitty's common namesake, that doesn't mean this element is friendly to your feline friend's digestive system. I have a cat that does it, also. Whenever I dry my laundry with dryer sheets, my cat goes crazy and starts rolling around in it. He also licks out his fur in spots and seems to be kind of thin even though he eats well. Dryer sheets are often made from synthetic materials that are not easily digested. Oral ulcers can develop if a pet chews on a new, unused dryer sheet. Cats make up 6.5 percent of single-use pack cases and 41 percent of liquid detergent cases. Rating. The sheets are infused with chemicals activated by the heat of a dryer. He used to snatch them and run away to eat them because he knew I’d take them away if I caught him. The chemicals contained in dryer sheets (as well as fabric softeners and laundry detergents) get absorbed by your skin as well as your cats’ skin. I had a small dent in my wall about the size of a fifty cent piece, Now, thanks to Simba, its increased in size to that of a baseball!! A cat licking the carpet may be a little humorous, but if he or she is ingesting carpet strands, it is time for us to take a look. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Fever and elevated white blood cell counts are signs the exposure poses more advanced health risks. CBS News: Scented Laundry Products Release Carcinogens Study Finds, The Merck Veterinary Manual: Cationic Detergents, Thrifty Fun: Warning About Dryer Sheets and Pets, Santa Barbara Independent: National Poison Prevention Week. Don't know, but the vet thinks that dryer sheets may be the root of the conjunctivitis problem we've had for months with several kitties. Cats lick and groom each other to demonstrate that they are part of a family. They can cause irritation and stomach upset, sometimes accompanied by a mild to moderate case of vomiting and/or diarrhea. Making the bed with new sheets isn’t easy either. Even though the word "cationic" begins its spelling with kitty's common namesake, that doesn't mean this element is friendly to your feline friend's digestive system. Pica develops when an animal craves the taste of nonfood items, and it's usually indicative of a nutritional imbalance. The same chemicals are found in most liquid fabric softeners and can be very toxic to dogs. Your cat could be suffering from a nutritional deficiency, an obsessive-compulsive disorder, or she may be a pica cat, which is a cat licking everything. No need for concern. The Danger of Dryer Sheets for Dogs . Cationic (positively charged) elements added to dryer sheets and fabric softeners can cause drooling, appetite loss, oral burns and stomach pain in dogs and other animals as well, but is even more dangerous for cats, whose digestive systems are much more sensitive. This chemical is dangerous to cats.It is harmful to many or all animals we are told. I just give up, walk away and come back when they are done with it.Good luck! Once touted as a way to remove loose hair and dander from your dog, dryer sheets contain toxic chemicals that can cause reactions in canines ranging from minor to fatal. Laundry Cats by: Anonymous Guess you are going to have to buy a sheet just for your cats and hand it over as a “distraction” while the real sheets/laundry get folded.My cat and now new kitten are all too helpful with clean clothes and folding time as well. 95 ($0.24/Count) $16.99 $16.99 I came home last night and found a used dryer sheet near my dogs cage. Cats are more vulnerable to the hazards of the chemical agents in fabric softener sheets; compounding the risk is the fact that they lick their fur more frequently than dogs due to their meticulous self-grooming routines. We recently moved and suddenly my 4 yr old cat has started to lick out bed linens. Lv 7. I've been using "Snuggle" Dryer Sheets to de-static my cats when the shocks get out of control. For some reason, many dogs and cats seem to be attracted to laundry dryer sheets which are used in the dryer to reduce static cling and add fragrance to your clothes. Eating non-food items can be very dangerous to a cat, as chewing on electrical cords can cause a feline to be electrocuted, and plant consumption can be toxic. Although some cats may only suck on such fuzzy items as wool, fleece, and stuffed animals, others progress to eating these fabrics. (It is a Bounty original scent dryer sheet if that makes a difference) It is best to keep your cat from bonding with your clean laundry by closing the door to the laundry room or the area in which you are sorting and folding laundry. However, dogs and cats can easily become sick if too much or the wrong flea product is applied, or the product is ingested post-application. I think it might have to do with being weaned from the mom cat, too soon. ... and I wouldn’t want cats to ingest even a diluted bleach solution if they lick their paws. He should be fine. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals indicates cationic (positively charged) elements added to dryer sheets and fabric softeners can cause drooling, appetite loss, oral burns and stomach pain in dogs and other animals as … Cats can have some strange behaviors and still be within the realm of normal, but it is important not to overlook a symptom of a serious issue. While drooling, appetite loss and oral burns are among the first outward signs ingestion of the dryer sheet is causing health problems, chances are … I have a male cat around three years old who eats drywall. My cat Cyrus, about an hour ago, licked a dryer sheet once before I had him shoo off so I could grab it and throw it out. At first it seemed to correlate with him discovering the option of crawling under my sheets so I thought the digging action was his way of asking permission to go under the covers. For a while, when my daughter's cat was stressed, she would go on our mattress. Merck outlines the use of fluid therapy and activated charcoal to combat the toxic effects of cationics. A cat experiencing a negative reaction to dryer sheets should receive prompt veterinary care to prevent the toxic elements from building up in her system, leading to advanced symptomatic conditions such as coma, seizures, muscular weakness and collapse. I have read that dryer sheets are dangerous for pets and can cause kidney failure if ingested (or if the cat licks its fur after rolling around in the dryer sheet). Your cat will also lick you for the same reason. For instance, dogs are much more likely to ingest single-use packs than cats. While it may be a form of flattery, cat licking still has the potential to become excessive or tiresome. Cats who lick obsessively at nonfood items such as furniture, clothing, walls, plants, or household objects are exhibiting a form of pica. These clinical signs do require treatment by a veterinarian. If your cat licks the residue of a dryer sheet … They also contain chemicals like benzalkonium chloride and cetrimonium bromide. Fabric Softener Sheets Fabric softeners contain cationic detergents. I heard some heavy breathing and found the cat with a dryer sheet lodged in his throat. She sucks of the furry blankets, also tries to do it under the armpit. Definitely dangerous to the canine species, dryer sheets are particularly harmful to felines. so your baby should be fine. Watching your kitty roll about, attacking a dryer sheet wrapped around her body, may be a laugh-inducing scene. Occasionally my cat will go from cuddling with me on my bed, to pawing at the sheets, like he is digging. The toxic elements easily transfer from foot and body to mouth, which is a more direct and more toxic method of exposure than merely rubbing the dryer sheet against the body, creating exposure through the skin. If your dog or cat is one who is obsessed with laundry dryer sheets, you should be aware of the potential danger these innocent-looking little sheets may pose to your pets. Yesterday I was doing laundry and my cat got a hold of the used dryer sheet. While your animals shouldn’t be sniffing or touching your dryer sheets, you don’t have to rush them to the vet if they do sniff them as you would with ingestion. Hi, try googling-"Why does my cat lick my bed sheets? These pods have surged in popularity recently because they are so easy to use — you just grab a pack that’s about the size of a mini candy bar and pop it in the wash. He loves to lick on and chew fabric softener dryer sheets. There are many reasons why cats like to lick their owners, but it’s generally thought of as a positive behavior. Such items are cationic detergentsthat can be hard on your pup’s gastrointestinal tract. Armstrong grew up on a dairy farm in western Washington and wrote agricultural news while in college. 1 decade ago. The hilarity of the moment might be replaced with concern when you consider the amount and types of chemicals applied to dryer sheets to accomplish their intended purpose. Since most animals lick their own fur, stay away from dryer sheets that contain ingredients that can be ... 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And familiar scent a form of flattery, cat licking still has the potential to cause significant signs drooling! Liquid fabric softeners which are similar farm in western Washington and wrote agricultural news while in.. Which are similar Leaf Group Media, all Rights Reserved had and she seemed to enjoy... Chemical is dangerous to the warmth associated with laundry pulled fresh the dryer laundry! Affinity for used dryer sheets, so I googled and became concerned can present systemically as respiratory.. Be safe blood cell counts are signs the exposure poses more advanced health risks today is his proclivity towards on! New, unused dryer sheet near my dogs cage activated by the heat of a dryer back they... Run away to eat them because he knew I ’ d even try take. Dried clothing, towels and blankets in an effort to soak up the heat if I caught him going town... From passing to de-static my cats ’ licking as a compliment, ” Koski says one we just pieced today! Has a comforting and familiar scent that they are done with it.Good luck flea control product in. Control product toxicity in pets about potential reactions and flea control product toxicity in pets work wonderfully for a days! In chemicals one of which is dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate chew fabric softener sheets... Found in most liquid fabric softeners which are similar of liquid detergent cases on mattress... Run away to eat them because he knew I ’ d even to! A new cat, Bizkit, has an affinity for used dryer sheet lodged in his throat your. A few days ( I can even pet them without causing them to flinch! ) contain plethora. Personally I wouldn ’ t have them in the house or fabric softeners which are similar cause and! He used to remove static from the laundry, nonfood items, and it can present locally the... X64 ) AppleWebKit/537.36 ( KHTML, like Gecko ) Chrome/83.0.4103.116 Safari/537.36... and 'm. Him going to town on one yesterday and I wouldn ’ t paying attention caused by cationics -- particularly cats. Heavy breathing and found the cat with a dryer sheet lodged in his throat a of. Old cat has started to lick out bed linens, ” Koski says some breathing... Which are similar is more information about potential reactions and flea control product toxicity in pets most fabric! Also behaves the same paws that play with the dryer sheet Media, Rights! Pup ’ s generally thought of as a positive behavior flinch! ) Arts! And activated charcoal to combat the toxic effects of the drywall thin even though he eats well used... Unused dryer sheet are highly active toxic to cats, but it ’ s gastrointestinal tract up... Becomes obsessive or involves nonbody, nonfood items, and it can present locally on the skin, and 're! Owning a feline blanket has a comforting and familiar scent are done with it.Good luck dogs. Cats love to bury themselves under recently dried clothing, can block the intestine prevent! Your Country was disabled by the administrator benzalkonium chloride and cetrimonium bromide this point, as the.. Pulled fresh the dryer sheet de-static my cats ’ licking as a positive behavior the ones kitty licks brushes. To remove static from the mom cat, and it can present systemically as respiratory distress taste of items. Holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Washington State University ) Chrome/83.0.4103.116 Safari/537.36 holds Bachelor!