Are Enzyme Carpet Cleaners Safe for Pets?

Enzyme cleaners remove stains from carpeting.

Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes remove tough stains like blood, urine and fecal matter. These proteins are touted as an environmentally friendly house-cleaning product.

Types

Some enzyme-based carpet cleaners contain only the enzymes themselves. Others contain chemicals to enhance the cleaning process.

Effects

Enzymes themselves exhibit no toxicity or lethal dosage, according to the book "Enzymes: The Fountain Of Life."

Considerations

While enzymes themselves proved to be safe in laboratory studies, cleaners containing additional chemicals, such as bleach or fragrance oils, may not be safe for your pets.

Prevention/Solution

Obtain the manufacturer's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the enzymatic carpet cleaner of your choice. Adhere to all safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer and any additional precautions outlined by the MSDS.

Warning

If you suspect your pet is suffering from an adverse reaction to carpet cleaner, speak to a veterinary medical professional as soon as possible. Even a mild reaction can turn life-threatening if left untreated.

References

• "Enzymes: The Fountain of Life"; K. Miehlke, R.M. Williams, D.A. Lopez; 1994
• "Handbook of Poisoning in Dogs and Cats"; Alexander Campbell, Michael Chapman; 2000"
• "Pet Clean-up Made Easy: Tackle Any Pet Mess, Any Time, in a Snap - from Stains and Smells to Fleas and Furballs"; Don Aslett; 2005